My mainboard fan started making a whirring noise that varies in intensity. It isn’t hitting any wires or anything. I am assuming the fan is probably bad. I was planning to eventually replace it with a quiet fan anyway. I see posts about the Ender 3 mainboard fan only working when the cooling fan was running. Does the Max work the same way? It appears to me that the fan is always working.
I see info about moving it to another location so it always runs. So my question is, when I replace the fan can I leave it where it is if I want the fan to always run, or do I need to move it.
I am going to get a Noctua fan and hook it up to a buck converter.
I see many articles and videos on how to do this. Do any of you recommend any in particular?
The mainboard fan on the max is wired directly to the 24V power input, so it runs all the time.
I am not a big fan (!) of Noctua fans. They are quiet, but they move little air. They may not be bad for this purpose.
Yeah, I see mixed opinions on those fans too. I may just try to find a suitable 24v replacement.
@rb9999 I see posts today that say that connect 2 Noctua 12 V fans in series for two always-on fans inside the control box. Maybe that is a good idea.
@rb9999 Not sure if you are you after recommendations for a tutorial or a converter? I am a full on Noob at this, ive owned a printer now for about 6 weeks, and ive changed all 3 fans for 12v Noctua models. The hot end and motherboard for replacement 40mm ones and the PSU for an 80mm with a printed PSU cover. It has made a MASSIVE difference, i can now sit on a work Teams call with the printer running 3ft behind me. Below are links to the converters and tutorial that i used. having the LED display on the converter made it so simple (not as simple as me though, i put the power through in the wrong direction on the first attempt Doh!)
Buck converter – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08JQB3NSR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
PSU fan swap – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcxXg6Nr59g&t=1s
Hotend/Motheboard fan – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjL38udVS24&t=376s
@holmes4 I have just assembled the Ender 3 Max and have yet to print anything with it. Am stuck messing around with trying to find out why the thing is soo noisy. It sounds like a jet engine as soon as turn it on. The mainboard fan is going at what sounds like 100% PWM as is the left hotend fan when it is switched on and idle. Is this correct? Is there something wrong? I have double checked all my connections and system seems to be indicating the fans are at 0% but as said sounds like it is taking off? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
@endersx74 The behavior you describe is what I have seen too. The stock mainboard fan is VERY loud. I don’t have the Creality board anymore, but I recall that the left part cooling fan did tend to run a lot. I think that the way these are wired, PWM affects only the right-hand fan.
I replaced the mainboard fan with one from TH3D.com and it is much quieter. I don’t find the part fans to be exceptionally loud, but controlling them seems problematic.
I agree with @stesmith74. I’ve been running my Ender 3 with a Noctua fan on each my main board and on my hot end, each with buck converters. The difference in sound is quite notable, and I haven’t had any issues with overheating since doing it. While the Ender 3 is a great machine, this upgrade makes it even better. I’ve had the machine a few feet from me while printing and I’ve hardly noted that it was even on. I highly recommend the modification if you’re looking to replace the fans, and at the same time you’ll make it quieter!
