[rtart]

Hi all. Just got back from picking up the 10PG that's been for sale in the classifieds for several weeks. I flew from ATL to Palm Beach, and drive it back in a rental van. Rljupiter is a great guy, and was more than helpful. This machine looks like new, both inside and out, and the tubes look brand new. I'm amazed at the difference in quality feel in the 10PG and 9PG, and at the size of the new unit.


Now that my masculinity has recovered from hours in a "mommy van", I'm fabbing the unistrut mount. Amazing how a little knuckle bleeding overcomes the urge to listen to Amy Winehouse and drink "Grande-decaf-skinny-double-pump-vanilla-soy lattes"

I struggled with the decision to replace my 9PGX for a long time, and decided to go for the 10PG based in large part on the advice from many who are now reading this. As with any new HT toy, I've searched the forums and archives and discovered that there are fan mods to quiet this beast. I've found conversations about the "Chuck mod", and threads about "Pabst" fans. I also now know about the locked rotor wire feature of the existing fans and even pulled one to get the model and mfgr. info. (Sanyo DC Mini Ace 25, Mod. 109P0912M4D03). What I haven't found is specific info on what quieter fan models can be used to replace the exisiting units. A kit, ala "Chuck Fans Kit" would be nice, but I'm pretty handy and can fabricate and adapt if needed.


I've seen posts from Tinman and Deronmoped who have some experience with 10PG fans and was hoping some who have been down this path can help.

 

[Curt Palme]

My strong recommendation? Don't do it! THe focus and convergence heatsinks run hot enough without messing with the fans. I've seen a couple of modded PG sets come through here, and the results over the long term were disasterous. I had to scrap one unit due to long term heat damage.

 

[rtart]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Curt Palme /forum/post/14189391


My strong recommendation? Don't do it! THe focus and convergence heatsinks run hot enough without messing with the fans. I've seen a couple of modded PG sets come through here, and the results over the long term were disasterous. I had to scrap one unit due to long term heat damage.

I'm with you Curt!


As a Mechanical Engineer, I know that heat kills. My goal is to reduce noise while decreasing temperature, or worst case, keeping temps constant.


Some of the threads I was able to find talked about using larger fans, running slower, to provide the same or more cooling airflow. I also saw a couple posts that talked about adding fans, or opening up grates to allow more airflow and less noise.


Reducing fan speeds just doesn't make sense to me, although some of the posts claimed a temp increase of only a few degrees on the heat sinks. (Course, the core temp is going to be even higher, maybe MUCH higher!)


So I'm guessing by your response that most "magic fan mods" are just adding resistors to slow the fans down? In that case, I'll pass.


My research indicates that the noise level of the 10PG is the same as my 9PGx. If that is indeed the case, I've lived with the noise for 5 years. . . I guess I can do it a while longer. . . and with a better picture!


BTW, Curt, I bought my current 9PGXtra from you in 1999. Still performs great, tubes are still like new, and never even a hiccup. Let a digital PJ make that claim!

 

[David_Web]

I find that the noise generated by a resonating chassie is the worst.

I would add a little rubber washer between the fans and their mounts.

Then maybe some asphalt(or what it's called) strips on the plates and covers making them sound thud instead of cling. Or at least keeping them from rattling.

Air noise or turbulence is usually not that bad. It's the sharp high frequency sounds that is the problem.


There are fans with special grooves in the blades that keeps the wizzing and whining noise away leaving the most annoying sounds out.

Any grills or object near the fans should be removed as they can cause resonance between the blades and it.

 

[rtart]

Anything else I should do to the 10PG before I mount it? I figure now's the time.

 

[johnboy]

I won't argue with Curt but I've had my 10PG for years with a fan mod and I never had any issues at all. I watch about 3 to 4 movies a week though.


JohnBoy.

 

[Mark_A_W]

If you set up some temp probes, you can add MORE fans and make it quieter.


More fans running slowly is quieter than the stock fans.

 

[Doug Baisey]

Johnboy,

Im going to take a guess that you have the 'Chuck' fan mod. He did quite a bit of temp testing on the PG chassis. For the XG it needed to have a very good mechanical set up done on it and conservative to maintain norm temps. Only one I would use in rare cases. Im not for them 90% of the time but depended on the room also. It was ok for the 10PG because of the extra room in the chassis. Doug

 

[deronmoped]

My fan mods increased the cooling and made the PJ much quieter too. Here they are.


1) Add a couple of small computer fans to the deflection heat sink, this thing usually runs pretty hot stock. Do not run them at full speed, either put resistors in line with them or run the fans in series, I used resistors just big enough so the fan would start on it's own. This will reduce the temperature of the heat sink dramatically.


2) Add a fan to the video board cage. I used the largest fan I could fit and ran it in series with the stock fan. You have to cut a hole in the sheet metal for the extra fan. This will move more air then just the stock fan and it will be much quieter.


3) The worse fans are the two on the power supply. I took the cover that had the fans on it off the power supply, removed the stock fans, I cut open the stock fan holes larger, added two more holes and four slightly larger fans. I ran those fans so two would be in series. This made the biggest difference in noise. These SMPS are almost the same as what is used on a 9PG, I think at one point I came to the conclusion they could be used on a 10PG, that was years ago, so I'm not 100% sure. Well the point is anyways, the 9PG's do not have fans on the SMPS.


The PJ sits about a foot above my head, have never installed the cover, I have a super quite (when the sound is off) basement theater, yet the fan noise almost never gets my attention.


Deron.

 

[Oliver Klohs]



Quote:
Originally Posted by deronmoped /forum/post/14233836


have never installed the cover.

THAT goes a long way, too although it is a bit of a pity as the 10PG imo has a nice case design. I have also considered to completely cut out the plastic grill of the top cover, that should improve the air througput by about 200 to 300%.

 

[rtart]



Quote:
Originally Posted by deronmoped /forum/post/14233836


My fan mods increased the cooling and made the PJ much quieter too. Here they are.


1) Add a couple of small computer fans to the deflection heat sink, this thing usually runs pretty hot stock. Do not run them at full speed, either put resistors in line with them or run the fans in series, I used resistors just big enough so the fan would start on it's own. This will reduce the temperature of the heat sink dramatically.


2) Add a fan to the video board cage. I used the largest fan I could fit and ran it in series with the stock fan. You have to cut a hole in the sheet metal for the extra fan. This will move more air then just the stock fan and it will be much quieter.


3) The worse fans are the two on the power supply. I took the cover that had the fans on it off the power supply, removed the stock fans, I cut open the stock fan holes larger, added two more holes and four slightly larger fans. I ran those fans so two would be in series. This made the biggest difference in noise. These SMPS are almost the same as what is used on a 9PG, I think at one point I came to the conclusion they could be used on a 10PG, that was years ago, so I'm not 100% sure. Well the point is anyways, the 9PG's do not have fans on the SMPS.


The PJ sits about a foot above my head, have never installed the cover, I have a super quite (when the sound is off) basement theater, yet the fan noise almost never gets my attention.


Deron.

Thaks for the info. One stupid question: How did you power the extra fans?

 

[Doug Baisey]

rtart,

I would wait at first and learn how the chassis reacts and its 'personality' the way it is and if it is stable with no problems. This will give you some kind of idea on what normal is.


Listening to it can tell you quite a bit. Doug

 

[deronmoped]

I used a computer power supply, a "Smart Strip" power strip to run the extra fans.


I also added three large Barco fans above, behind and in the wall to exhaust air from my theater. With all the equipment (PJ, computer and 3,000 watts in audio power) running during a movie, it can warm up quite a bit.


Deron.

 

[Jesse S]



Quote:
Originally Posted by deronmoped /forum/post/14233836


My fan mods increased the cooling and made the PJ much quieter too. Here they are.


1) Add a couple of small computer fans to the deflection heat sink, this thing usually runs pretty hot stock. Do not run them at full speed, either put resistors in line with them or run the fans in series, I used resistors just big enough so the fan would start on it's own. This will reduce the temperature of the heat sink dramatically.


2) Add a fan to the video board cage. I used the largest fan I could fit and ran it in series with the stock fan. You have to cut a hole in the sheet metal for the extra fan. This will move more air then just the stock fan and it will be much quieter.


3) The worse fans are the two on the power supply. I took the cover that had the fans on it off the power supply, removed the stock fans, I cut open the stock fan holes larger, added two more holes and four slightly larger fans. I ran those fans so two would be in series. This made the biggest difference in noise. These SMPS are almost the same as what is used on a 9PG, I think at one point I came to the conclusion they could be used on a 10PG, that was years ago, so I'm not 100% sure. Well the point is anyways, the 9PG's do not have fans on the SMPS.


The PJ sits about a foot above my head, have never installed the cover, I have a super quite (when the sound is off) basement theater, yet the fan noise almost never gets my attention.


Deron.

Can you post pictures?

 

[deronmoped]

No.


Deron.