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Under-counter Edgestar fan mod to address noise level

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  • Under-counter Edgestar fan mod to address noise level

    Hi,

    New to the forum but wanted to share a quick mod I recently did on my Edgestar BR7000SSOD to address what I found to be an excessively loud fan. This is an "outdoor approved" model, but I have installed it under the counter in my kitchen (it's approved for this application as well, as it has front venting). As I'm sure is common for built-in models, there is an external fan for cooling the coils (which in this case is underneath the unit). The fan kicks in whenever the compressor comes on, and is way louder than the compressor itself. This will always be a subjective thing, but I found it too obtrusive.

    I located the fan and it's model number (RAL1238B2) and found its specs online on PTI Technologies' website (where you can also buy it for $18). It runs on 120V, pulls 0.2 amps, and revolves at 2,100-2,400 rpms (presumably depending on where you are within its voltage range of 100-125). The airflow is 70-84 cfm, and noise rated at 35-40dBA. It measures 4.7 x 4.7 x 1.5 inches (standard 120mm fan size, I believe). A number of other specs listed as well, but these were the important ones to me.

    Next I searched for an equivalent fan with minimal noise without sacrificing too much airflow. I found mouser.com an excellent resource, and soon found a model that fit the bill: An Orion fan, part # OA109AP-11/22-3WB ($22). A big improvement at 25dBA noise rating, the tradeoff being a lower 51 cfm, running at 1,600 rpms. This is of course not endorsed by the manufacturer, and will void any warranty, but my rationale here is that the original fan is a bit overdimensioned and given this will be used in a temperature controlled environment it seemed like a reasonably safe bet. That being said, do this at your own risk! I do not (yet) have a way to evaluate any long-term effects.

    The old fan came out (held in place by two screws), new fan installed. I ended up removing the control board and using the old fan's connector by splicing the wires, but would be quicker to just cut the wires to the old fan and connect the new fan (without removing the board) - there is enough slack. Put everything back together and plugged the kegerator back in. Huge improvement. I can now hear the compressor (which is fairly quiet) over the fan, not the other way around. Air flow seems adequate, but that's obviously a purely subjective point of view based on how much air the new fan is blowing.

    Happy to share more details about the installation process, but it's fairly straightforward. Again, this is obviously NOT a manufacturer endorsed/supported mod and will be entirely at your own risk. But I'm so far very happy with the result and can now enjoy my beer in (nearly complete) peace.

  • #2
    hi ,i have the same issue with loud fan which is very annoying how is it working so far with the new fan...thanks

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    • #3
      EDIT: I forgot to say that this fan is 17.9dB. Much, much quieter than the original fan.

      I had the same issue with my old SBC-490B from Summit. Your thread inspired me to fix it. I found that 12V DC computer fans were quieter and flowed more. I got a PWM fan from Cougar and a little 120V to 12V power supply. The PWM version flows 71 CFM at top speed, and that's what it does because I don't have PWM control. It comes with a little molex adapter, so I cut off the big molex and wired it straight to the 12V power supply. Now I can replace the fan at any time with any 120mm 4 pin computer fan, plug and play. I mounted the power supply with some of the extreme strength velcro just below the fan, and padded the sides of the fan with some weatherstrip for a snug fit in the bracket. I was able to reuse the fan guards from the old noisy fan as well. This fan is quieter than the compressor, so it's a huge improvement.

      These are the parts I used:

      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


      Last edited by patrickoneal; 07-07-2016, 03:32 PM.

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