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CPS2 Fan Noise Solutions...

Brentradio

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What is the best way to reduce the fan noise on the CPS2 arcade system running the multi kit?

Modify it to run slower?

New fan?

Remove the case and the fan?

Wrap it in 4 layers of bubble wrap?

To me it sounds like a jet engine warming up...

Thanks for any and all input on this very serious noise pollution problem.

:D
 
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Very timely thread, I was just looking for a solution to this problem. I'll give JNX's a shot, thanks
 
I replaced the fans on a couple boards with JNXs replacements. MUCH happier I don't have a jet in the room.
 
The original fan is excellent, high quality. Just undervolt it. Waste of money replace it.
 
That does make sense too. One or two of mine were also rattling around, so replacing them was the only way to go. I also don't mind supporting JNX, but either method is fine as long as the fan isn't too far gone.
 
I have boards from 1993 whose the fan is still perfectly fine. I even reused some of the fans on other things (from the boards that broke down and got scrapped to save others, for example)

Most fans sold nowadays use a bearing system called "sleeve" where a solid ring of brass serves as axis sleeve for the motor. That works fine for a while but then eventually the bearing becomes worn out and the motor starts to vibrate. Good quality fans (such as the special types used on cpu heatsinks) have real ball bearing (similar to the ones used on car motors, for example) and because the original fan on the CPS2 board is of that kind with ball bearing, it is really long lasting.
 
My solution is to have it behind a closed door on my cabinet :P I can see it being annoying on a supergun setup but inside a cab (Astro City) I can barely hear it. Don't notice it at all when sound is on

You can remove the fan altogether if you find it that bad, I don't imagine any of us are running 24/7 setups and if you're running it in the open on a supergun I don't imagine most people live in places hot enough for it to be an issue.
 
My solution is to have it behind a closed door on my cabinet :P I can see it being annoying on a supergun setup but inside a cab (Astro City) I can barely hear it. Don't notice it at all when sound is on

You can remove the fan altogether if you find it that bad, I don't imagine any of us are running 24/7 setups and if you're running it in the open on a supergun I don't imagine most people live in places hot enough for it to be an issue.
No, you can't remove the fan. The only way of getting rid of the fan is get rid of the plastic casing.
 
Don't run it within the plastic casing without the fan. It will overheat and the board stack will bend causing cracked solders.
 
Don't run it within the plastic casing without the fan. It will overheat and the board stack will bend causing cracked solders.
You really think it would get that hot?

Has anyone actually measured how hot these things get?

I should probably invest in an IR thermo gun...
 
60-70C hot, enough to make the plastic discolor and the board bend. The board flexing make the IC pins break from solder and you start having real problems.
 
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