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Post by novisnick on Apr 5, 2022 22:45:43 GMT -5
I’m not an informed man when it comes to electronics diagnostics. I believe the fans are shot but I’m not sure which fans to replace them with or how to test them. There doesn’t appear to be any burnt spots on the boards. Any help would be great fully appreciated. Here’s a couple of pictures to help. The blue power button lights and the center fan attempts to turn. None of the fans turn, not sure if they failed one at a time or all at once.    |
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Apr 6, 2022 10:22:26 GMT -5
That unit is a real oldie... and I haven't even seen one in years. They were quite handy... and quite flexible.
There are two models - the AC powered one - and the (newer?) one that uses a wall wart. From the picture this looks like the older AC-powered model.
The first question is whether you've been using it, and it failed, or whether you're just hooking it up for the first time, or moved it from an older installation.
This is important because that unit can be tricky to hook up... For example, if you plug an external sensor into the appropriate jack, it can be used to turn the fan on and off at a specific temperature.
But, since the jack itself includes a mechanical switch, if you plug a WIRE into it, it will expect a sensor, and may not start if you've plugged in a plain wire instead of one with a sensor attached. And how and when it turns on also depends on switch settings...
If all three fans are stone dead that sort of suggests that the circuitry isn't turning them on... or it's set to temperature sense and isn't getting warm enough to turn on.
As far as I know the fans themselves are nothing special... and any fan with similar ratings should probably work...
You want same voltage, similar or lower current, and for the screw holes to line up... I believe we used ball bearing fans... which tend to be more reliable... but sometimes slightly noisier...
Note that this sort of fans vary widely in terms of how noisy they are... (and quieter ones tend to cost slightly more)...
I'm going to post the manuals and schematics for both models...
If you're hooking it up for the first time, check out all the hookup options FIRST, and make sure you've got the wires and switch settings right...
I’m not an informed man when it comes to electronics diagnostics. I believe the fans are shot but I’m not sure which fans to replace them with or how to test them. There doesn’t appear to be any burnt spots on the boards. Any help would be great fully appreciated. Here’s a couple of pictures to help. The blue power button lights and the center fan attempts to turn. None of the fans turn, not sure if they failed one at a time or all at once. <button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button><button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button><button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button> |
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Post by novisnick on Apr 6, 2022 14:26:30 GMT -5
Thanks @keithl I appreciate your input. I’ve owned and have used 6 separate units for about 9 years now. They are incredible units. I own both types of units. The one that has failed is a direct plug into the wall, no wall-wart. It was in use at the time of failure but I’m not sure if all three fans were spinning when I noticed no sound coming from the unit. I had it set to turn on via temperature sensor and not 12V trigger. The middle fan attempts to turn but does not. What specific fan can I replace them with?
I’m guessing I’ll have to take another one apart to test the fans unless you can tell me an alternative. That would be very nice. 😁
Any other help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again,
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Post by creimes on Apr 7, 2022 10:44:46 GMT -5
They should be 140mm or 120mm computer case fans, you can test them with a 9v battery to see if they operate, you would have to of course unplug them and use some wire to touch the leads to a battery.
Chad
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KeithL
Administrator
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Post by KeithL on Apr 7, 2022 11:41:33 GMT -5
Note that the fans used in the C-12 use relatively low current... and the control circuitry is designed with this in mind.
In other words you should NOT use replacement fans that draw significantly more current than the originals... or you may burn out the driver transistors. (And options like replacing those transistors, or adding additional heat sinks to them, are beyond the range of this discussion.  )
(Many of the replacement fans that would "fit in the hole" draw significantly higher current.)
And, yes, you could test the existing fans with any 12V power supply - and possibly a battery.
They should be 140mm or 120mm computer case fans, you can test them with a 9v battery to see if they operate, you would have to of course unplug them and use some wire to touch the leads to a battery. Chad |
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Post by creimes on Apr 7, 2022 14:32:18 GMT -5
So either find the exact replacement type fans or cut his loses and go with a new AC Infinity unit  Chad Note that the fans used in the C-12 use relatively low current... and the control circuitry is designed with this in mind. In other words you should NOT use replacement fans that draw significantly more current than the originals... or you may burn out the driver transistors. (And options like replacing those transistors, or adding additional heat sinks to them, are beyond the range of this discussion. ) (Many of the replacement fans that would "fit in the hole" draw significantly higher current.) And, yes, you could test the existing fans with any 12V power supply - and possibly a battery.
They should be 140mm or 120mm computer case fans, you can test them with a 9v battery to see if they operate, you would have to of course unplug them and use some wire to touch the leads to a battery. Chad |
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Post by novisnick on Apr 7, 2022 15:56:16 GMT -5
So either find the exact replacement type fans or cut his loses and go with a new AC Infinity unit  Chad Note that the fans used in the C-12 use relatively low current... and the control circuitry is designed with this in mind. In other words you should NOT use replacement fans that draw significantly more current than the originals... or you may burn out the driver transistors. (And options like replacing those transistors, or adding additional heat sinks to them, are beyond the range of this discussion.  ) (Many of the replacement fans that would "fit in the hole" draw significantly higher current.) And, yes, you could test the existing fans with any 12V power supply - and possibly a battery.
I have tried Infinity, nothing compared to the Sherbourn! YMMV but I’m not really impressed. Unit lasted just over a year, my C-12 units are at least 10 years old and this is the first failure. |
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Post by novisnick on Apr 7, 2022 15:59:14 GMT -5
They should be 140mm or 120mm computer case fans, you can test them with a 9v battery to see if they operate, you would have to of course unplug them and use some wire to touch the leads to a battery. Chad I’ll give this a try. I believe the fans are 12V so 9V shouldn’t hurt them if they’re good, which I doubt. Thanks for your input. 😁 |
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Post by creimes on Apr 7, 2022 18:13:17 GMT -5
They should be 140mm or 120mm computer case fans, you can test them with a 9v battery to see if they operate, you would have to of course unplug them and use some wire to touch the leads to a battery. Chad I’ll give this a try. I believe the fans are 12V so 9V shouldn’t hurt them if they’re good, which I doubt. Thanks for your input. 😁 Just take note of what Keith mentioned above, though he didn't say what the current draw of the fans is that they use so not sure what to go by ??
Note that the fans used in the C-12 use relatively low current... and the control circuitry is designed with this in mind.
In other words you should NOT use replacement fans that draw significantly more current than the originals... or you may burn out the driver transistors.
(And options like replacing those transistors, or adding additional heat sinks to them, are beyond the range of this discussion. )
(Many of the replacement fans that would "fit in the hole" draw significantly higher current.)
And, yes, you could test the existing fans with any 12V power supply - and possibly a battery. |
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Post by RichGuy on Apr 7, 2022 20:15:18 GMT -5
If you need to replace any of the fans they would be easy to find. The size you will need is 120mm x 25mm, 12v (120mm square, 25mm thick), there are several different wire configurations 2-wire, 3-wire etc. so look at that as well to match what you need. But they are very common computer fans and easily replaceable. Normal price range is $5-$20 dollars, Amazon, PartsExpress or anywhere that sells computer parts. The fans you have now are 0.16 Amp so also look for a similar amperage. The AC Infinity fans are great, much better temp control in their deluxe models. I have 2 AC Infinity AIRCOM T8's one is 5 years old and the other about 2 years, both still seem like new. They keep my equipment a minimum of 10 degrees cooler on normal days and as much as 15-20 degrees cooler on really hot days than it ran without the AC Infinity. This is measured by using my infrared thermometer gun  |
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Post by teaman on Apr 7, 2022 22:28:35 GMT -5
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Post by novisnick on Apr 16, 2022 13:16:07 GMT -5
RichGuy maybe I just got a poor example of an Infinity fan unit. Down the road I may try them again. Thanks for your input. 👍
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Post by geebo on Apr 16, 2022 15:38:10 GMT -5
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Post by RichGuy on Apr 16, 2022 15:52:59 GMT -5
RichGuy maybe I just got a poor example of an Infinity fan unit. Down the road I may try them again. Thanks for your input. 👍 I really like AC Infinity, great quality & function and they have a huge selection of different styles and options. If you haven't seen all that they offer you should check out their website. They offer rack mounted (1RU, 2RU &3RU), cabinet mounted, component stackable and even ducting systems link for rack mounted |
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Post by novisnick on Apr 16, 2022 16:12:15 GMT -5
Just tested all three fans from the dead unit with another exact type unit and the good news is, I have three good replacement fans. The bad news, I’m not an electrician and don’t know what to test next, or how to test it for that matter.
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Post by novisnick on Apr 16, 2022 16:39:49 GMT -5
I own the second e you have listed, the screen has crapped out after a year and it’s near impossible to set properly. I will be replacing it as I have no other option for the top of my Sanu rack. I hope it lasts as long as my Sherbourn, maybe half as long would still be great. 😄 I have two Sherbourn C-12’s in use for the Mrs Sanu rack system and one each for my XPR-1’s. So glad I invested in these so long ago. NOW, back to our regulatory scheduled programming. 😁 |
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Post by RichGuy on Apr 16, 2022 16:57:52 GMT -5
Just tested all three fans from the dead unit with another exact type unit and the good news is, I have three good replacement fans. The bad news, I’m not an electrician and don’t know what to test next, or how to test it for that matter. If the bad unit is one with a wall wart type power supply plug maybe it's the power supply that went bad, an easy fix if that's the case. If you have another you could easily test it with the working ones power supply. If you need another one they are easy to get you just need to match the voltage and the replacement would need to have either the same or more amperage, note more is OK but you do not want to have less. It will only draw the amperage it needs so more will not do it any harm, but not enough amps will. You also need to match the plug in connector as there are a couple of different types. But is is easy to get a new power supply that will work. If the unit is one with a direct AC plug without a wall wart power supply things become more complicated. |
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Post by novisnick on Apr 16, 2022 19:10:40 GMT -5
RichGuy maybe I just got a poor example of an Infinity fan unit. Down the road I may try them again. Thanks for your input. 👍 I really like AC Infinity, great quality & function and they have a huge selection of different styles and options. If you haven't seen all that they offer you should check out their website. They offer rack mounted (1RU, 2RU &3RU), cabinet mounted, component stackable and even ducting systems link for rack mountedAs I’ve stated before, I must have gotten the Lemon. With all these testimonies I’ll give them another try. Thank you all for your input. The Sherbourn C-12 didn’t have to have a series of different models as the one unit can be configured to do any cooling application required, even exhauste out of the room via tubing. Wish somebody would start making them again. I wonder if the patent has expired? |
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Post by novisnick on Apr 16, 2022 19:13:04 GMT -5
Just tested all three fans from the dead unit with another exact type unit and the good news is, I have three good replacement fans. The bad news, I’m not an electrician and don’t know what to test next, or how to test it for that matter. If the bad unit is one with a wall wart type power supply plug maybe it's the power supply that went bad, an easy fix if that's the case. If you have another you could easily test it with the working ones power supply. If you need another one they are easy to get you just need to match the voltage and the replacement would need to have either the same or more amperage, note more is OK but you do not want to have less. It will only draw the amperage it needs so more will not do it any harm, but not enough amps will. You also need to match the plug in connector as there are a couple of different types. But is is easy to get a new power supply that will work. If the unit is one with a direct AC plug without a wall wart power supply things become more complicated. And, of-course it’s MORE complicated! 😕 |
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Post by geebo on Apr 16, 2022 19:44:10 GMT -5
I own the second e you have listed, the screen has crapped out after a year and it’s near impossible to set properly. I will be replacing it as I have no other option for the top of my Sanu rack. I hope it lasts as long as my Sherbourn, maybe half as long would still be great. 😄 I have two Sherbourn C-12’s in use for the Mrs Sanu rack system and one each for my XPR-1’s. So glad I invested in these so long ago. NOW, back to our regulatory scheduled programming. 😁 Bummer. I bought my three units just when they were introduced and the screens still look new. Did you keep yours on full brightness? I turn mine down because they are too bright on full. |
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