NETGEAR ReadyNAS

First off I DO NOT work for Performance-PCS.com! However, I've bought lots of stuff from them, and I like their site and their service. They cater to the "geek" in me.

Second off I AM NOT an employee of Infrant nor do I proport to be a Jedi Warrior. However I would like to be both.

Third - I didn't design this wonderful piece of equipment so I am only providing ideas for discussion - I'm not going to warranty your mod if your NAS goes boom while following any of my Inspector-Gadget-like suggestions.

I'm new to the forum and to the NV+ but after reading what seems like most of the threads on heat and noise issues with drives, power supplies, etc. I had a couple ideas I thought I would share to stimulate discussion and/or help some of you with real problems find alternative solutions.

It seems to me that the basic problem we are all trying to solve is to keep fan noise at an acceptable level while simultaneously keeping both the power supply and hard drives at reasonable temperatures.

Unfortunately the physics of this particular problem requires that in order to decrease noise we will increase temperatures and vice versa.

After a fairly exhaustive look through fan specifications it appears to me that Infrant did a nice job of specifying a cooling fan with a high CFM/dB rating. That is - the fan moves LOTS of air for the amount of noise it puts out.

Looking to replace the fan with almost anything else will either increase the temperatures because the amount of air moved (CFM) is lower or it will increase the noise because of fan speed, air turbulence and a variety of other factors.

I think the best way to solve this problem for those users who REALLY desire a fix is to retrofit a larger fan to the exterior of the unit.

I have included my ideas below with part numbers for a rear mounted solution that I believe would be the easiest to implement and give the best results.

First off here is the data that I am using in my assumptions:

1) From http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/ ... 47_2753397 the model number of the ADDA replacement fan is visible.

2) From http://www.coolpowersolutions.fi/Datasi ... a76gl.html the specs of the fan are available:

ADDA DC FAN
Model AD0912HB-A76GL

Technical specifications
Patch cord 3 Pin Board
AC/DC DC
Dimension A 92 mm
Dimension B 25 mm
Dimension C 82,5 mm
Tachosignal Yes
Bearings ball bearing
Nominal voltage 12 VDC
Noise 38 dB(A)
Power input 4,08 W
Nominal speed 3000 min-1
Air flow 81,5 m3/h (OR if I did the math right = 47.8 cfm)
Weight 101 gr.

3) From http://www.mouser.com/catalog/625/1466.pdf additional data on the replacement fan for the NV+:

AD = Adda Brushless DC fan
09 = DC Frame size = 92mm
12 = DC Voltage = 12VDC
H = Speed = High (note there are also Ultra low, low, medium, ultra high, over ultra high, and maximum high speed)
B = Bearing type = BALL bearing
A = Thickness for DC fans = 25 mm
7 = Blade impellers on DC fans = 7
6 = Motor protective circuit & Third wire lead = by transisitor with speed sensor (FG)
GL = Fan type = Low noise

Additional information on ADDA fans is available here: http://www.mouser.com/catalog/625/1466.pdf
and here: http://www.mouser.com/catalog/630/1609.pdf

The KEY to maintaining at least the same level of cooling capability that we currently have is to maintain the same level of airflow. Based on the specifications this value must be at least 47.8 cfm:

The Scythe "KAZE-JYU" 100mm Silent 100mm Fan (fits in 92mm hole pattern) - Sleeved claims to provide 58 CFM at 30.68 dB - This is both significantly quiter and provides significantly greater airflow. If it fits inside our shiny box it might be a fantastic solution. However since it's maximum fan speed is 2000 rpm vs. the stock fan's 3000 rpm it isn't completely clear to me whether the min fan speed add-on will work or whether another firmware modification would be required. Also it isn't clear whether this unit will physically fit inside the NV+ as I don't have one available to try.

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/ ... ts_id=4390

The best option to reduce both sound and temperatures may be to remove the factory fan and carrying handle and install a 92mm to 120mm fan adapter on the exterior of the NV+.

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/ ... ts_id=2854

A WIDE variety of 120 mm fans are available with both low noise and high cfm. Just be sure to not exceed the power header's maximum current output (NO PROMISES but the motherboard should be at least capable of handling the replacement fan's requirement of 3 Watts (12V x 0.25A).

Here is a beauty: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/ ... cts_id=876

Or: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/ ... ts_id=4073 at 1200 or 1600 rpm NOT 600!

Don't forget to buy a 120 mm grill for your fan to keep your fingertips intact.

If you choose to go crazy and bl.ow in vs. bl.owing out you could even install a filter to the outside of the fan: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/ ... x&cPath=92

For those who really have the "modding-bug" imagine a 120mm blue LED fan mounted to the exterior of the hinged front door blowing into the unit!

SWEET!

Am I "One with the force?" Or have I joined the Dark-side?

Here's a list of low noise recommended fans

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article63-page2.html

I wonder if the NEXUS REAL SILENT CASE FAN D12SL-12 will work using a 120mm to 92mm adapter. At 12V is produces 22dB and 47 CFM. I have two of those in my computer. It's so quiet at lot of times I have to look for the power LED to see if my computer is on.

Wish I had the NV+... I'd definitely try one of those 120mm solutions.

I have an original Readynas NV (about 1.5yrs old) with replacement fanless PSU, so it's got to be 92mm for me.

After reading this FAQ
http://www.infrant.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2925
I headed out to find a fan that would be quiet, push fairly high CFM's, and draw less than 1.2W at 12V so I didn't have to mess around with the resisitor or setting speeds manually.

I saw the SPCR review on 92mm fans and bought one of the Noiseblocker XE1's. If SPCR's specs are right, then it's got the highest CFM in their review at 12V and less than 1.2W: 12V, 21 dBA@1m, 1490 RPM, 34 CFM, 1.11W
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article72 ... iseblocker

The thermostat on the wall says ambient temp is 18.9C / 66F.

With the stock Adda fan, after pushing/pulling 30GB of data from the NV to a PC over a gigabit switch, the temps seemed to stabilize here:

Disk 1 Seagate ST3500641AS 465 GB, 36C / 96F, Write-cache ON, SMART+ OK
Disk 2 Seagate ST3500641AS 465 GB, 37C / 98F, Write-cache ON, SMART+ OK
Disk 3 HDS725050KLA360 465 GB, 35C / 95F, Write-cache ON, SMART+ OK
Fan 1 2352 RPM OK
Temp 1 26.5C / 79F [Normal 0-60C / 32-140F] OK


After installing the Noiseblocker, highest temps after running the unit for 30 min, pushing & pulling another ~30GB:

Disk 1 Seagate ST3500641AS 465 GB, 42C / 107F, Write-cache ON, SMART+ OK
Disk 2 Seagate ST3500641AS 465 GB, 48C / 118F, Write-cache ON, SMART+ OK
Disk 3 HDS725050KLA360 465 GB, 43C / 109F, Write-cache ON, SMART+ OK
Fan 1 1456 RPM OK
Temp 1 30.5C / 86F [Normal 0-60C / 32-140F] OK

In fact, the unit continued to sit at these temps until the disks spun down, at which point the completely-idle system temps were fairly similar with both fans.

Definitely a significant temperature penalty when in use, though. And that was in a cool environment...

Is the Noiseblocker silent? Absolutely not. But it is an improvement. I'd subjectively say max 40% better -- definitely less grating on the nerves (my Adda fan always sounded like it was rattling). But this mod still doesn't silence the NV enough for living room use, IMO. And the airflow feels significantly less than what the Adda was putting out.

If you really want to get your hands on the Noiseblocker fans in the USA, these folks were very helpful:
http://www.users-side.com
Yes, it's a Japanese store, but they have a branch in San Jose, CA. You'll have to buy via email/phone/fax:
sjstore@users-side.co.jp
408-777-7422
Customer service was great. Shipping extremely fast. Cost... not-so-great: $19 + S&H!


Hope this saves someone some time & money. Good luck in your quest for silence.

- Steve

If the airflow feels significantly less, keeping the ReadyNAS NV door open should help reduce the temperature by 3 - 5C. Your replacement fan probably provides lower pressure than the original fan. Due to the geometry of the ReadyNAS, low pressure will reduce the benefits of a high CFM. This is similar to what users have reported when using the Noctua on a heatsink. http://www.silentpcreview.com/article63-page2.html

The factory fan was too loud for me so I decided to follow Death & Taxes suggestion and replace the 92mm fan with a 120mm fan. It's easier to have the fan blow into the case because this allows the fan wire to run directly into the case from the fan hub. You have to remove the handle to attach the fan adapter. You'll also need some extra screws with nuts to attach the fan adapter to the backplate. Neither the screws from the ReadyNAS nor the ones that come with fan adapter will attach the adapter to the backplate. I save all the screws and nuts from my computer DIY projects so I was good to go. Finally, you'll have to install the fan speed override add-on.

I tried the Yate Loon at first - great price, but still too loud. I modified the Yate Loon by removing the 4-pin wires and sleeving the remaining wires with heat shrink tubing.

Replaced the Yate Loon with the Scythe SFF21E which is quieter and cools just as well. The Scythe comes with a 3-pin to 4-pin adapter so no modifications necessary. I added heat shrink tubing though.

I sit about 1.5m away from the ReadyNAS NV+, and the disk noise is louder than the fan noise.

YATE LOON 120mm Case Fan - D12SL-12
http://jab-tech.com/YATE-LOON-120mm-Cas ... -3009.html

Scythe S-Flex Fan - SFF21E
http://jab-tech.com/Scythe-S-Flex-Fan-S ... -3256.html

92mm to 120mm UV Reactive Blue Fan Adapter Kit (clear in normal light)
http://jab-tech.com/92mm-to-120mm-UV-Re ... -2638.html

120mm Aluminum filter - Black
http://jab-tech.com/120mm-Aluminum-filt ... -1501.html


Yate Loon (left), Scythe (middle), Back plate and adapter (right)
The long screws and nuts in the picture come with the fan adapter so you can use that to attach the fan to the adapter. You'll need to stop by Fry's or your local hardware store to get screws and nuts to attach the adapter to the backplate.


Remove 3-pin housing to slide wires out of fan side. This allows the wires to run unobstructed to the 3-pin connection.


Added heat shrink tubing (3/16" Tech-Tron Heat Shrink Tubing from Fry's $1.39).
You need the nuts on the backplate because the ReadyNAS fan mount holes are larger than normal fan mount holes. The factory fan installation works because there is a fan grill on the outside that effective reduces the size of the fan mount holes and the screws go into the fan on the inside.


Modified cat6 cable due to adapter. Due to the proximity of the adapter, in order to disconnect the cat6, I have to use tweezers to unlatch the cable.

Ambient 24.1C

Door Open (Idle)
Disk 1 Seagate ST3500630NS 465 GB, 41C / 105F, Write-cache ON, SMART+ OK
Disk 2 Seagate ST3500630NS 465 GB, 39C / 102F, Write-cache ON, SMART+ OK
Fan 1 1250 RPM OK
Temp 1 35.0C / 95F [Normal 0-60C / 32-140F] OK

Door Close (Idle)
Disk 1 Seagate ST3500630NS 465 GB, 44C / 111F, Write-cache ON, SMART+ OK
Disk 2 Seagate ST3500630NS 465 GB, 43C / 109F, Write-cache ON, SMART+ OK
Fan 1 1250 RPM OK
Temp 1 38.5C / 101F [Normal 0-60C / 32-140F]

I have a question related to the fans

@yahui, what's the rated wattage of that scythe fan?


@everyone
I see on the FAQ for replacement fan, they only posted instructions up to 3.0W input. Can the readyNAS NV+ handle higher watt input? How much higher? 4W? 6W?

thanks.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article69 ... html#sflex

0.62W at 12V

Hi there,

My NV+ is running on low/cool temperature with 4 x Samsung 750 Gb drives I think :

Disque 1 SAMSUNG HD753LJ 698 Go , 25 C / 77 F , Cache en écriture ACTIVÉ OK
Disque 2 SAMSUNG HD753LJ 698 Go , 26 C / 78 F , Cache en écriture ACTIVÉ OK
Disque 3 SAMSUNG HD753LJ 698 Go , 25 C / 77 F , Cache en écriture ACTIVÉ OK
Disque 4 SAMSUNG HD753LJ 698 Go , 24 C / 75 F , Cache en écriture ACTIVÉ OK
Ventil. 1 2027 t/mn OK
Temp. 1 25.0 C / 77 F [Normal 0-60 C / 32-140 F]

This is without any load...

I would like the NAS to be even quieter

I have seen that Noctua has a new 92mm fan (ref NF-B9) :

http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=16&lng=en&set=1

Has anybody tried it ?

Does anybody have recommendation, advice before it try it ?

I would like some advice on how the NV+ controls the fan speed, etc...

Thanks

Bruno