RN102 - Disk Upgrade

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semola1 wrote:

Hi,

 

I have succesfully changed my NAS disks with 2 new WD101EFAX discs.

I noticed a considerable increase in the temperature of the disks and the CPU. I have changed the fan setting to increase the air flow, but it has become very noisy (I will also have to change the fan).

On this I have two things to ask you: what is the maximum acceptable temperature for the disks and the CPU?
Does anyone have the characteristics of the fan mounted as standard? I'd like to look for an equivalent.
Thanks

 

Semola

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WD specs the operating range of the WD101EFAX as 0-65C here: https://documents.westerndigital.com/content/dam/doc-library/en_us/assets/public/western-digital/product/internal-drives/wd-red-hdd/data-sheet-western-digital-wd-red-hdd-2879-800002.pdf

The datasheet of the Armada 370 CPU is surprisingly hard to find, but there is a copy here: http://dtsheet.com/doc/1285717/armada-370-hardware-specifications. The operating range of the CPU (Tj) is 0 to 105C.

FWIW, current thinking on disk reliability is that relative humidity is a more important factor than temperature.  Though I wouldn't want my disks to run anywhere close to 65C myself.  One disadvantage of the newer WD101EFAX is that it uses more power than the WD100EFAX (and therefore will run hotter than the older model).

The WD disks (including two WD100EFAX) in my main NAS run between 31-36C.  Though there are several posts here from folks who's disks are running in the mid 50s.  Most are using Seagate drives (which in my experience often do run hotter).  But WD101EFAX operating power (8.4 watts) could bring the temps up into that range.

As far as the fan goes, I think the best path is to find the fan model google for it's specs.  I'm not seeing any posts here from anyone who replaced it.

If you replace the fan, be sure you get one with similar RPM and CFM ratings.  Of course, that typically means that it's going to be about as noisy as the original unless there is something actually wrong with yours.

If you clean the fan with compressed air, you should use something to keep it from spinning.  Otherwise, the bearings can be damaged.  I don't think the stock fan has ball bearings, so you might also look for that, if you can find them in an otherwise compatible fan.