Replacing the fan in ReadyNAS Duo - possible?

Yes, the noise is a definite problem. I've tried the Fractal Design Fan Silent Series in there instead and whilst the temp came down a couple of degrees the noise isn't much better, just different.

I'm going to try the Acousti AcoustiFan DustPROOF fan in there as well to see if it improves matters. If not, I think I'll be selling up and ordering the Thecus mini myself...

benfrain wrote:
Yes, the noise is a definite problem. I've tried the Fractal Design Fan Silent Series in there instead and whilst the temp came down a couple of degrees the noise isn't much better, just different.

It is not that difficult. Buy a 60mm --> 80mm fan adapter as shown by Javic and a 80mm silent Nexus fan. Will cost no more than $10 – $15 total and you are done.

Noise of the fan is less than the noise of the HD itself, WD GP enterprise disks in my case.

A word of warning: I found using a 60x80 adapter nearly impossible (this was my first plan). 2 of the 4 mounting holes for the original fan are so close to the side of the unit that it's impossible to put the side cover on once the adapter is mounted to the back case. I puzzled over the order of assembly for a long time, trying different configurations of mounting hardware, and ended up cutting open the back of the case and mounting the 80mm fan directly to it.

A different style of adapter might have worked, I suppose.

Pjotr wrote:

benfrain wrote: Yes, the noise is a definite problem. I've tried the Fractal Design Fan Silent Series in there instead and whilst the temp came down a couple of degrees the noise isn't much better, just different. It is not that difficult. Buy a 60mm --> 80mm fan adapter as shown by Javic and a 80mm silent Nexus fan. Will cost no more than $10 – $15 total and you are done. Noise of the fan is less than the noise of the HD itself, WD GP enterprise disks in my case.

Sorry Pjotr, I don't fancy a fan stuck on the back of the unit. If I can't get a 60mm one that is quite enough and keeps everything cool enough I'd rather just opt for a different NAS solution. The NAS sits next to me and the noise is currently a major irritation. There are units like the Thecus that promise silent operation and that's more important to me than some of the other features the ReadyNAS offers.

benfrain wrote:

Sorry Pjotr, I don't fancy a fan stuck on the back of the unit. If I can't get a 60mm one that is quite enough and keeps everything cool enough I'd rather just opt for a different NAS solution. The NAS sits next to me and the noise is currently a major irritation. There are units like the Thecus that promise silent operation and that's more important to me than some of the other features the ReadyNAS offers.

Don't they all promise silent operation?

Make sure to search the web for people complaining about noise from the Thecus before you believe it's silent.

axxe wrote:

benfrain wrote: Sorry Pjotr, I don't fancy a fan stuck on the back of the unit. If I can't get a 60mm one that is quite enough and keeps everything cool enough I'd rather just opt for a different NAS solution. The NAS sits next to me and the noise is currently a major irritation. There are units like the Thecus that promise silent operation and that's more important to me than some of the other features the ReadyNAS offers. Don't they all promise silent operation? Make sure to search the web for people complaining about noise from the Thecus before you believe it's silent.

:D You're absolutely right of course!

Ok then. If you want something else, indeed look for something else and spend a lot more of bucks. But no one is perfect.

The DUO costs less than 200 bucks without HD. For that you get a big bang for the bucks. But I admit getting more out if it requires a bit of D.I.Y. My DUO sits in my living room also serving as a music server and is inaudible a few meters away, even late at night.

after much hanging on phones talking to level 1 support and being 'put through' (aka listening to muzak for 20 minutes at a time) to level 2, i was finally directed to;
http://www.readynas.com/?p=1912#more-1912

unfortunately, this refers to a ReadyNAS Pro, not a 2150 DUO so doesn't really fit my problem.

i can't face the prospect of ringing India again ... :(

jraneses wrote:

In looking at possible replacement fans for the Duo on Newegg, these models might be viable candidates. In my opinion, it's not so much the noise level of the Duo that's the problem, it's the tone of the stock Crown fan. VANTEC TF6025 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999615 Dynatron DF126025PL-3/4G http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835114064 Those are the top 2 rated 60mm fans from the product category http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000110573+1372726523&Configurator=&Subcategory=573&description=&Ntk=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc= Can any of the Jedi's comment on the compatibility of the replacement fans listed above? Thanks, Jason

Be careful with the connectors the fan you purchase provides. The VANTEC TF2065 comes with a 3/4 pin connector, but the 3-pin connector does not work - it doesn't power the fan. You would have to purchase an adapter, and the two 4-pin connectors that come standard with the fan already take a bit of space. I purchased that fan but will return it since it cannot work in the unit.

http://www.frozencpu.com has a TON of different fans and fan accessories. I was wondering if buying a simple rubber fan silencer wouldn't do the trick. It seems to me that a lot of the noise caused by the fan is the vibration of the back plate the fan is attached to.

FWIW, the Noctua fan came with a complete set of rubber isolation connectors and cable adapters - everything hooked up very nicely.