Dreamcast Replacement Fan

My first Dreamcast does have a few problems, and I already fixed one of them (the resistor) and now I would like to fix its fan. Unlike my second one, this one gets hot pretty fast, due to a malfunctioning fan. It behaves oddly, when I open up the system, as I have to position it correctly for it to work, and I'm thinking I might as well replace the fan. I'm wondering if this one will work: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QDB4KU/

 

It would probably be best to replace it with a stock dreamcast fan. Less hassle and probably costs about the same cost wise.

 

Use any 3.3, 5 or 12v fan and mimic the tacho with a 555 timer : http://randomprojectman.blogspot.ca/2008/05/even-though-its-pretty-dated-system-i.html

 

Great little tute - I've been meaning to replace the fan in my DC as well! To the op - let us know how the mod turns out!

 

I'm still considering getting that fan, as I don't really feel like building a tachometer. Haven't done it yet, as I'm debating whether or not to use the money instead to buy a Saturn.

 

The 3-wire fan is no more than 10$, and a real cheap 2-wire fan + lm555 is also about 10$... Saturns don't sell for 10$ do they? If yes I gotta get myself one!

 

Nah, that money's going toward an Action Replay, and these days cash is always tight.

 

Do you mean the fan sometimes doesn't run at all? If so, then it's worth checking the 3-pin connector on the controller PCB, especially if you have one of the machines that has the single-sided version of that board. The holes for the connector pins were drilled quite large, and the solder joints can crack, which results in intermittent fan operation and random shutdowns.

 

It's the crap wiring in the fan as well. I see exposed metal on the base of it.

 

Since the console shutdown if you jam the fan with a screwdriver. Does any one think this wiring is possible?

 

That's the metal fan version, using only two wires. And why would you jam the Dreamcast with a screwdriver?

 

Taken from this link:
http://randomprojectman.blogspot.ca/2008/05/even-though-its-pretty-dated-system-i.html

"I realized that it could not be overheating or anything, so there must be a fan speed sensor that shuts down the machine when the fan is not spinning. Sure enough, jam a small screwdriver between the blades of your Dreamcast's fan, and it will shut down!"

 

dc16, I am using exactly the same fan as in your picture. I made this adapter and it works great: http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?41460-Dreamcast-fan-pinout#post610048

 

I wonder if a larger fan is a good thing though? Maybe the increase in CFM might introduce more dust inside?

 

I tried to wire up the fan as shown in this previous reply. It will power on, run for like 10 seconds before shutting down.

 

That happens when the senor wire is not connected or the fan is drawing too much amperage. I'm in the process of installing a 40mm x 40mm x 6mm fan. The one I sourced draws 0.05A and is reasonably quiet. I just need to create a bracket to mount it in angled position.

 

How could it notice that? I wired the new fan to 12V and the sensor to the sensor wire. Does it notice that because it was connected to fan ground?

 

I've always wondered what's the deal with the metal fans, since they don't have a third wire for the tachometer. Do they only need two wires or is it the connector part that's the sensor? The newer one with the plastic fan seems easier to deal with since it's plug in and play.

 

Okay, tried to install the fan, red for voltage, black for ground, yellow for tachometer. It worked, and then it shut off. I realize it must be the amperage or the yellow wire behaves oddly.

 

I think it is the amperage. I have heard from other people there is maximum amp limit.