Quieter Fan Mod for Behringer EP2500

**ccdoggy** · **07-22-09, 01:12 PM**

Dont worry about 19db. its inside the amp, in the back, in a rack away from you. 19db will not really be heard at all. I would be very surprised if you could hear it from 10 feet away. But you also have to think that the 12db one will be just about as good at cooling as in reality these amps dont get even warm even with spirited output. Mine does not get hot unless i am watching some reference material where i turn the sub up to its limits to show it off a bit. Either way youll be just fine.

**Aceboympk** · **07-22-09, 02:38 PM**

I wrote to Papst asking for pics or a URL that contains pics so I can post them here. Then hopefully we can confirm the shape.

I don't mind spending $20 vs. $10 on a fan if it is going to *nearly* eliminate the fan noise. Nothing worse than hearing the fan as the volume in a song or piece of music diminishes.

Other than the fan noise, this amp has really impressed me. I hope this doesn't sound like boasting because I don't intend it to be. Rather it is a compliment. This amp is a part of my $35k stereo system and I seriously couldn't be more satisfied.

I'll post the pics or the URL as soon as I hear back from Papst.

Regards,
Mark

**Martianpc** · **07-31-09, 08:09 AM**

I am also doing this mod soon. However, I have noticed that in the fans people have suggested the mounting system is different in some. Here are two examples, which one do we need?

http://www.newark.com/jsp/search/pro...sp?sku=31K9990

or

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...4L1A&x=25&y=13

-Mike

**bpratt** · **08-05-09, 08:00 PM**

Here's another idea (from someone who is just about to order their own EP4000), what about a 12cm externally mounted 24v fan ?

I'm pretty sure you can get shroud that brings it back to 8cm, which you mount up against the back of the case where the internal fan is.

You gut an old 8cm fan or make your own extended shroud to ensure that you're sucking the air all the way through the 'tunnel'.

Larger fans tend to be always a bit quieter than a smaller fan, and also move more air than a smaller fan can.

You can also choose how you supply power to the externally mounted fan, either by through the existing fan slot then through a small hole in the shroud, or by a plugpack/wallwart, in which case you go for a 12v fan with a 9v or 12v plugpack.

Since all of this is out of reach of prying kid fingers, being at the back of your cabinet or rack, then I can't really see any safety issues.

With this idea of externally powered, you have the options of many different 12v fans, both 8cm and 12cm with a shroud, which should be a whole lot cheaper than 24v fans.

**atledreier** · **08-06-09, 01:58 AM**

That's a very good idea. A large fan will move alot more air far more quietly than a smaller one!

**sub_junkie** · **09-05-09, 03:35 AM**

I am going to get a EP2500 soon, and was wondering how hard the resistor mod to the fans is? I might just get new fans, but would rather do the resistor mod.

**EdmundGTP** · **09-14-09, 08:58 PM**

Quote:

sub_junkie wrote:

This is off topic, but do you have to do the fan mod with the Crown XLS802D Series?

Thanks

Yes, but the swap is just as simple. Oh, and the fan in the XLS is a 12VDC fan, not 24

**sub_junkie** · **09-14-09, 10:58 PM**

Alright. I'm going with the EP2500 yet again.
If I did decide to do the Resistor mod instead, what resistors would I use? I have no clue what to get...

Thanks

**clausdk** · **09-15-09, 02:46 AM**

I finally got my PAPST fan and did the mod. I simply cut the wires and soldered them and wrapped the soldering with "shrinking" plastic.

The new fan is dead quiet. I mean it's not even audible. I had to doublecheck it was running as it was so quiet. I can feel the air move out front though so there is circulation. Watching Queen live at montreal on blu ray at MV-8 the amp doesn't even get warm enough that I care about it. I should add I also have installed a fan inside my rack.

Button line is, the fan mod is, in my opinion, a must if the amp is placed in a living space. It's well worth it and if I get a second EP2500 I'm so confident in this solution that I will place right on top of the one I have now, inside the rack and fire away at MV-5 all day long

**AngelEyes** · **09-15-09, 06:43 AM**

Hi Chaps,

I have seen a few 12dB fans on RS, do I need to worry about the Watt or Amp ratings on these or will it be fine as long as they are 24v?

the one I am looking at ordering is 24DC, .7W and .43mA.

Thanks,

Ad

**sub_junkie** · **09-15-09, 11:36 AM**

I couldn't find if this was discussed or not, but which of these would be better to get? Which would be quieter, etc...

http://www.enermaxusa.com/catalog/pr...roducts_id=102

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...&name=P9739-ND

Thanks

**Moonfly** · **09-16-09, 09:01 AM**

Ive just bought an EP4000 to power a DIY sub I'm going to build. I'm gonna try this unless someone advises otherwise.

**AngelEyes** · **09-17-09, 07:18 AM**

A quick update that may help, especially those looking for UK fan suppliers.

I purchased my 12dB fan here: http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...duct&R=2991403

It works fine and is completely silent in your hand but obviously vibrates slightly as it does buzz a little when installed. This is still a lot quieter than the stock fan and still provides adequate airflow IMO.

I decided to keep the fan facing forward as I have always had better results 'pushing' air through heatsinks than I have 'pulling'.

As a final mod to reduce the buzzing I was getting, I used 4 rubber washers left over from some old PC fans to isolate the fan from the chassis. You can still hear it with your ear close but it is much better.

The photo shows the type of washers I used, they actually work better if you don't tighten the screws too much, I actually loosened them off a fair bit after taking that photo.

Cheers,

Adam

**Chrisbee** · **09-17-09, 01:32 PM**

Quote:

AngelEyes wrote:

As a final mod to reduce the buzzing I was getting, I used 4 rubber washers left over from some old PC fans to isolate the fan from the chassis. You can still hear it with your ear close but it is much better.

The photo shows the type of washers I used, they actually work better if you don't tighten the screws too much, I actually loosened them off a fair bit after taking that photo.

Adam

Hi Adam

The rubber washers sound like a good idea.

I get an irritating metallic buzz from my Papst fan despite the low airflow noise level.

Thanks

Chris

**AngelEyes** · **09-18-09, 12:05 AM**

No problem Chris, see you on the other side

**tyler cookson** · **10-03-09, 11:54 AM**

Nice this fan mod looks pretty sweet, I hope to find a used ep2500 with this

**goonstopher** · **10-11-09, 01:41 AM**

Quote:

bpratt wrote:

Here's another idea (from someone who is just about to order their own EP4000), what about a 12cm externally mounted 24v fan ?

I'm pretty sure you can get shroud that brings it back to 8cm, which you mount up against the back of the case where the internal fan is.

You gut an old 8cm fan or make your own extended shroud to ensure that you're sucking the air all the way through the 'tunnel'.

Larger fans tend to be always a bit quieter than a smaller fan, and also move more air than a smaller fan can.

You can also choose how you supply power to the externally mounted fan, either by through the existing fan slot then through a small hole in the shroud, or by a plugpack/wallwart, in which case you go for a 12v fan with a 9v or 12v plugpack.

Since all of this is out of reach of prying kid fingers, being at the back of your cabinet or rack, then I can't really see any safety issues.

With this idea of externally powered, you have the options of many different 12v fans, both 8cm and 12cm with a shroud, which should be a whole lot cheaper than 24v fans.

Here is a pictorial of this fan mod

http://htfhome.com/2007/ep2500_mod/ep2500_mod_ENG.htm

Does it sound viable or easier or more important safer for the heat of the amp??

**looneybomber** · **10-18-09, 11:28 AM**

Quote:

sub_junkie wrote:

I couldn't find if this was discussed or not, but which of these would be better to get? Which would be quieter, etc...

http://www.enermaxusa.com/catalog/pr...roducts_id=102

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...&name=P9739-ND

Thanks

I have 2 of those Enermax fans in mine, wired in series since they're 12v fans. Both at the rear of the heat sink, blowing hot air out. One fan, once inside the case, does not move much air so I'm glad I bought two.

I've had my fans shutoff on me once when I was listening to an hour long bass heavy dance mix. The amp didn't get hot enough to thermally shut down, but it was still hot. I have a theory that the fans got too hot having the hot air blow across them, causing them to shut down for some reason, but since I've not been able to repeat the scenario and do tests/rule things out, I can't prove anything.

So to answer your question, I bet the Enermax will be quieter (it's real quiet), but it's also not a 24v fan. And by itself, it won't move much air.

**scoobydoo6v92** · **10-20-09, 11:01 PM**

I have the same exact annoying problem with my QSC rmx 2450. That amp has a real warm sound but that fan THAT FAN!!!! it drives me nuts! it is noisy and it is terrible. And it is also 24 volts. That amp as I said before looks so much like my QSC inside. the only difference inside is the boards in the QSC are blue color and bigger. I need a new fan.

**rhino2** · **10-21-09, 04:24 PM**

I tried to order a fan from newark last week (FBA08A24L1A) and I still haven't recvd it. Looked online and found they are backordered until Jan 2010. What are some other companies I can order from that have them in stock currently??

**scoobydoo6v92** · **10-21-09, 05:19 PM**

did you try parts express? I think also Wholesale electronics INC in Mitchell South Dakota may have them as well. I was told they do yesterday cause I need one as well.

**rhino2** · **10-21-09, 09:33 PM**

Well I looked on parts express and wholesale electronics inc.... and the only 24 v fans that I found were in the 30 decibel or higher range. Too loud. Unless I am looking in the wrong spot. Anyone else order recently from someone who has them in stock?

**rhino2** · **10-24-09, 08:52 PM**

Okay so I ended up ordering a fan from digikey since they had them in stock. I got a model # FBA08A24L
24v. But I encountered a problem when I hooked it up. When I did a preliminary check after soldering the connections the fan worked. But after I put the shrink tube over each wire I checked it again (prior to putting the cover back on) the fan did not work. I checked all the connections and the fan does not work. So I disconnected it and reattached the original and that one works fine.
So did I get a bum fan?? or did I order the incorrect one?? The new one spins freely and does not bind. The only difference I can find is that the original one says 0.25A and the new one says 0.09A. Could that be the issue?
I shouldn't even be messing with any of this since I have h1n1 right now but I was sick of being stuck in the house for 3 days..... probably should have left it for later.

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