Is there a way to reduce PXI-1002 Chassis fan noise?

[mark-san]

My configuration is: PXI-8174/PXI-GPIB/M6025E & 8420 Serial (2 port).

[David S]

Hi Mark,

The best way to reduce noise on a PXI chassis is to fill all empty slots with filler panels. Because the PXI-8174 controller only takes up three slots, there is a gap the size of one slot between the chassis power supply and the controller. I recommend you fill this gap with a filler panel if you have not already.

On some chassis, there is a switch to turn the chassis fan to low. Unfortunately, the PXI-1002 chassis does not have this feature.

Regards,

David Shatila
Applications Engineer
National Instruments

[dhuff]

Another solution is to replace the fan with a quieter one, or swap it for one with a thermistor. You can find fans out there that fit in the standard opening that have thermistors, so that they run high speed when the chassis is hot, and low speed otherwise.

[mark-san]

That's what I had in mind - my only concern with this approach is that I'll bet NI would void the warranty...Off-hand, do you know if it's an AC or DC operated fan?

Thanks!

[David S]

dhuff is correct that replacing the fan with a quieter one may solve your problem. You should be cautious when modifying your chassis because you could void the warranty. National Instruments will not be responsible for damage to your PXI chassis or modules that result from custom modifications. If you do replace the fan, make sure that your use a fan with similar cooling capacity.

Regards,

David Shatila
Applications Engineer
National Instruments

[mark-san]

David - Yes the empty slots have covers - I've even resorted to putting a large cardboard box (w/vent holes on top) over it (as well as sticking it under my desk - which you recall when I had to forage for the WinXP key!), and that helps some...

Any comments about the exchange below with dhuff?
(ps: so far no hang-ups!!)


dhuff on 10/30/2003 answered:
"Another solution is to replace the fan with a quieter one, or swap it for one with a thermistor. You can find fans out there that fit in the standard opening that have thermistors, so that they run high speed when the chassis is hot, and low speed otherwise."

mark-san on 10/30/2003 commented:
"That's what I had in mind - my only concern with this approach is that I'll bet NI would void the warr
anty...Off-hand, do you know if it's an AC or DC operated fan?

[mark-san]

"That's what I had in mind - my only concern with this approach is that I'll bet NI would void the warranty...Off-hand, do you know if it's an AC or DC operated fan?"

[dhuff]

I don't know, you can probably find both types.

[mark-san]

I probably won't do this anytime soon - but will definitely check the cooling capacity of the new fan. And I agree that NI can't/shouldn't be responsible for such customer 'mods'.

Incidentally, speaking about those covers for empty slots - for most systems I've worked with in the past (VME, et al) it's always been a requirement that the un-used slots be covered - in order to meet the heat transfer specs.