Fan too noisy

Herbalus

The fan in my amplifier (Laney RB9) is quite noisy and I'm trying to quieten it. I don't know much about electronics so don't know if slowing the fan is an option, and how I would do that, or could I just buy a quieter fan?

I don't overwork the amplifier by any means: by virtue of not using it loudly I can hear the fan! So not too concerned about reducing air flow into the amp.

The fan is about 600mm tall, and looks similar to one you'd get in a computer tower.

Any help appreciated.

Strider590

When you say it's noisy, is it rattling/squealing?

Herbalus

No I mean the noise of the fan blades themselves make a whirring sound which is quite loud.

stator

It's almost certainly a standard fan, post a photo, but you could probably replace it with any other. A quieter fan will mean less air flow which may make your amp overheat though?

Cyberman60

Try cleaning it.

Big_Graeme

If you can hear it above what you are playing then it is one helluva noisy fan :-D

These are standard PC case fans, opening up the box and cleaning it would be the first thing, then see if it's catching on anything, replace with a decent PC case fan if needed.

Fightsback

If you not driving it then trade it in (or get) a lower watt passively cooled practice amp. Alternatively start playing some some very loud Roger Glover stuff and fingers crossed that your neighbours are deaf.

esuhl

stator wrote: »

A quieter fan will mean less air flow which may make your amp overheat though?

Not necessarily. The noise a fan makes depends partly on the fin design, and partly on the bearings. If the fan is a common size, it may be possible to replace it with one that cools just as efficiently, but is quieter.

Or maybe the OP could "customise" their amp by cutting a hole for a larger, slower fan than would be quieter but provide the same cooling...?

If it's already fairly noisy, though, and assuming there isn't a problem with the existing fan, you won't be able to eliminate all noise.