Just got 3 sets of Supermicro CSE-M35T-1B drive cages, and while I love them, the noise it like a toronado.  I have the system in a closet adjacent to the living room, and I can still hear the system a bit too loudly even with the door shut. 

 

The stock fans are:  109P0912H201 Sanyo Denki DC Mini Ace 32

Airflow 55.1 CFM

Noise: 36 dBA

Dual ball bearing. 

 

Has anyone expirmented with replacing these with quieter fans?  I don't want to run into a situation where my CFM cooling power is "not enough" to keep the drives at a reasonable temp. 

 

I don't need the thing to be silent, but quiet enough that it wouldn't be too noticeable would be ideal.

 

Additionally I have not experimented with fan controllers in the past, so I don't know how it would be to hook 3 fans up to one controller.  Has anyone tried this?

Here is a good vendor that sells a wide variety of fans.

 

http://www.jab-tech.com/92mm-Fans-c-80.html

 

 

 

Thanks for the link.  Lots to choose from.  Even more at Newegg.

 

The issue is, since as the dBA goes down, so does the airflow. 

 

Since these Supermicro drive cages are the "stock" cages in the Lime systems, I assume there must be many people who are using them.  I'm sure others have noticed the noise as well. 

 

If the stock fans have 55 CFM, how much could I safely decrease this airflow without increasing the drive temperatures too much? 

 

Any thoughts?  Has anyone replaced their fans on these cages? 

First, use a case that has all the holes plugged up well, so air so the ONLY air intake is over the drives. 

 

Second, use BIG exhaust fans... at least one 120mm.... preferably two.  If less than 120mm, use a minimum of two.  Dial down the exhaust fans to an acceptable sound level.

 

Install the cage in the case with all the drive slots in the cage used, put a fan speed controller on the cage fan, and vary the speed during a parity check, and monitor the drive temps.

 

Without a fan speed controller, you can also try hardwiring 7 volts or 5 volts to the fan, and see what the result it.

Sorry for digging up an old thread.

 

BubbaQ:

 

Do you mean that the 2 fans should be connected at the rear of the Supermicro bay?

 

Blowing the air into the case?