[couchsucks]

Hi guys,

I bought a Zyxel 310 NAS which has a noisy 40mm fan. I bought a Fractal Design replacement fan, the power connector is standard TX3 but is too big. The one on the noisy fan and the only power 'socket' on the NAS is absolutely tiny but still 3 pin. I can't even find what it's called. Anybody know so I can hopefully find an adapter? Thanks!

On the left is the mystery power connector, on the right is a standard TX3 for size comparison.

[noiseboy72]

The one on the left is a fairly standard IDC connector. To make them up properly, you need the correct tool. Never seen an adapter, but you could always just cut the connector and a few inches of wire off and make one up yourself. If you don't have a soldering iron, just use some chocolate connection block with screw connections.

[cokker]

I know those mini 3 pin fan exist but for the life of me can't find anything, but I did find this converter (in America...), it would allow you to use any 40mm fan.

3-Pin to 3-Pin Mini Adapter Fan Power Cable NEW | eBay

[couchsucks]

Originally Posted by cokker

I know those mini 3 pin fan exist but for the life of me can't find anything, but I did find this converter (in America...), it would allow you to use any 40mm fan.

3-Pin to 3-Pin Mini Adapter Fan Power Cable NEW | eBay

Something like that would be great, but the one you've linked to doesn't have the same connector that I need, mine is much smaller, without the big tab on one side.

[couchsucks]

Originally Posted by noiseboy72

The one on the left is a fairly standard IDC connector. To make them up properly, you need the correct tool. Never seen an adapter, but you could always just cut the connector and a few inches of wire off and make one up yourself. If you don't have a soldering iron, just use some chocolate connection block with screw connections.

The difference in the size of wires is quite considerable, I'm not sure that would work. Also, I don't think it's a standard IDC connector, and it definitely doesn't come up when you put that in Google. I'm going to take another photo.
Thanks for the help though, cokker and noiseboy

[cokker]

I see what you mean, scratch that then. What about making your own?

You could use one male plug from this: 3 Pin Fan PC Power Splitter Cable Female To 2 x Male | eBay

Then chop the lead off your current fan, wire them together, bit of heat-shrink or tape and then plug in a normal 3 pin 40mm fan.

Just remember to give yourself plenty of length when cutting the wires as their a bit flimsy.

[couchsucks]

That's a really good idea, thanks

The standard fan's power connector wires go black, red, yellow. The tiny power connector's wires go black, yellow, red. It gets stranger and stranger!

[Jefferson72]

Hi,
I've also bought one of these but am finding the fan too noisy with it in my lounge.
Did you get any further with changing the fan?
It's a real shame as it is working perfectly as a Squeezebox server but is just too noisy.
May have to return it & look for something else if I can't swap the fan...

[Tommy Mang]

Originally Posted by Jefferson72

Hi,
I've also bought one of these but am finding the fan too noisy with it in my lounge.
Did you get any further with changing the fan?
It's a real shame as it is working perfectly as a Squeezebox server but is just too noisy.
May have to return it & look for something else if I can't swap the fan...

I have the same problem, did you guys find a solution?

[Tommy Mang]

Would be great if someone could help me with this...

Thanks in advance !

[cokker]

There still isn't a cable to convert the mini 3 pin IDC to 3 pin fan so the only viable solution is what I said in post #6.

Make the cable yourself and buy a lower RPM 40mm fan like this: Scythe Mini Kaze 40 x 40 x 10mm Quiet Cooling Fan : SY124010L |Specialtech UK Water Cooling Shop

[Tommy Mang]

Originally Posted by cokker

There still isn't a cable to convert the mini 3 pin IDC to 3 pin fan so the only viable solution is what I said in post #6.

Make the cable yourself and buy a lower RPM 40mm fan like this: Scythe Mini Kaze 40 x 40 x 10mm Quiet Cooling Fan : SY124010L |Specialtech UK Water Cooling Shop

Thanks for the reply. I already bought a new fan, and I wanted to use the cable of the old fan and solder it to the new fan cable. The problem is that the colors of the new fan cable are white/red/black, and with the old they are yellow/red/black. Is this a problem? Can I just solder the red to red, black to black, and white to yellow?

Thanks !

[cokker]

Originally Posted by Tommy Mang

Thanks for the reply. I already bought a new fan, and I wanted to use the cable of the old fan and solder it to the new fan cable. The problem is that the colors of the new fan cable are white/red/black, and with the old they are yellow/red/black. Is this a problem? Can I just solder the red to red, black to black, and white to yellow?

Thanks !

Yes that is what I would do, the yellow/white wire is just a monitor to make sure the fan is spinning. I see in some pictures there is a buzzer mounted to the circuit board, this might sound if the fan stops (or some other error).

[Tommy Mang]

Originally Posted by cokker

Yes that is what I would do, the yellow/white wire is just a monitor to make sure the fan is spinning. I see in some pictures there is a buzzer mounted to the circuit board, this might sound if the fan stops (or some other error).

Ok thanks very much for your help ! ;-)