Noisy Steve's LEDs retro kit?

K

kelipalmer

Premium Member
I just installed a LED retro kit from Steve's in my 14 gal biocube. The noise from the kit fan and one stock fan used as an exhaust fan is really loud... Much louder than before with the stock CF lighting.
Has anyone else experienced this? Is there something wrong or is this normal?
 
@pjracer wrote:
What kit did you get. 1 to 1 or 2 to 1. What combo LEDs did you get? said:
http://shop.stevesleds.com/Nano-Cube-12-Gallon-LED-retrofit-kit-Nano-Cube-12-gallon.htm

This is actually my kit. Steve used my hood to get his kit designed.
Click to expand...
 
@kthomas wrote:
[I]@pjracer wrote:[/I][quote="What kit did you get. 1 to 1 or 2 to 1. What combo LEDs did you get? said:
http://shop.stevesleds.com/Nano-Cube-12-Gallon-LED-retrofit-kit-Nano-Cube-12-gallon.htm

This is actually my kit. Steve used my hood to get his kit designed."]
That's cool. Why did the move from Texas.
Click to expand...
 
@pjracer wrote:
What kit did you get. 1 to 1 or 2 to 1. What combo LEDs did you get? said:
I just got the standard 14 gal biocube retro kit with 9 blue and 5 white LEDs. I bought a new fan to replace the stock cube fan which Steve recommends to use as an exhaust fan. If that doesn't solve the problem, I'll see if I can get a replacement of the pressurized fan that comes with the kit.
Click to expand...
 
Yeah you should be able to hear what side it's coming from to know if its the stock fan or the LED fan to know which to replace. Steve's fans should be much quieter than the stock on. I used it on my 29 Biocube
 
I replaced the stock fan with a Silenx 14 dBA fan and it is much quieter. This fan is smaller and about twice the cost, but is half as loud as the standard computer fans.
However, it still is louder than you'd expect. I think part of the problem is that the stock fans are meant for 12 volts, but Steve's power supplies are 24 volts. I may mention this to Steve because I think it makes the fans louder. It may also cause the fan to fail sooner.
Steve also recommends "tuning" the system by adjusting the power supplies for maximum efficiency. This reduction in voltage may help reduce some of the fan noise.
 
Steve's fans run on 24 v. They are made to run on the power supply. They also drive faster and slower based on the heat the potentiometer registers.
 
Update from Steve... Steve's fan is actually designed to run on 10 vdc, but the regulator that comes with the kit actually reduces the voltage down to about 8 vdc, which makes for a very quiet fan. He also said that keeping one existing stock fan to blow hot air out of the hood is not required, assuming the necessary mods are made to the vent holes according the guide. I have found that most of the noise in my situation was coming from the stock fan running at twice it's intended voltage (24 vdc). Nonetheless, he also sent me a new regulator free of charge just in case mine was not operating properly.
Two thumbs up for Steve's LEDs... the service, support, and product have been excellent.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top