I have two fans and while they work well, they just rattle continuously which drives me mad!! :pullhair:
The problem seems to stem from them only using bush bearings, where the shaft just isn't actually held in place properly, then the whole fan assembly can actually move backwards and forwards which generates the rattle..
For example this image shows what I mean...
It is just a normal sleeve bearing which are pretty rubbish, a ball bearing would probably be the more secure but would drone unlike anything, they really should be something like a proper fluid bearing in one of these things but do they actually exist??
My only other thought is to simply buy a PC fan with a proper fluid bearing and just make a base for it to fit onto..
REMINDER - Stay logged in for at least 2 hours a week to get whitelisted.
Also it helps build a picture where our "good traffic" is coming from for detection scripts.
:o)
Also it helps build a picture where our "good traffic" is coming from for detection scripts.
:o)
Any decent small USB powered desktop fans out there ?
-
exxos
- Site Admin

- Posts: 28443
- Joined: 16 Aug 2017 23:19
- Location: UK
Any decent small USB powered desktop fans out there ?
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
rubber_jonnie
- Site Admin

- Posts: 14941
- Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
- Location: Essex
Re: Any decent small USB powered desktop fans out there ?
I use one of these:
Had it for years and it's still going strong.
Had it for years and it's still going strong.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
-
elterwater
- Posts: 53
- Joined: 14 Jan 2022 14:43
Re: Any decent small USB powered desktop fans out there ?
Having been through many other types, I eventually bought several of these last year which have been great:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AUOKAI-Portabl ... 0F4Q7YW2R
On board battery can charge whilst it's also in use, USB C port for charging.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AUOKAI-Portabl ... 0F4Q7YW2R
On board battery can charge whilst it's also in use, USB C port for charging.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
alexh
- Site sponsor

- Posts: 1346
- Joined: 17 Oct 2017 16:51
- Location: Oxfordshire
Re: Any decent small USB powered desktop fans out there ?
Most fans I've had rattle for one of two reasons.
- They are unbalanced due to dust deposits.
- Their bearings have gone.
Senior Principal ASIC Engineer - SystemVerilog, VHDL
Thalion Webshrine - http://thalion.atari.org
ST,STf,STfm,STe,MegaST,MegaSTe,Falcon060
A500+,A600,A4000/060,CD32,CDTV
Thalion Webshrine - http://thalion.atari.org
ST,STf,STfm,STe,MegaST,MegaSTe,Falcon060
A500+,A600,A4000/060,CD32,CDTV
-
exxos
- Site Admin

- Posts: 28443
- Joined: 16 Aug 2017 23:19
- Location: UK
Re: Any decent small USB powered desktop fans out there ?
Thanks for suggestions.
This is mine.. was only a cheap one.. still works well...
You can see the blades move "up and down" because theres no problem bearings on the shaft. So the thing rattles all the time because of the movement.
I do have a dual blade one but that rattle as well :roll:
This is mine.. was only a cheap one.. still works well...
You can see the blades move "up and down" because theres no problem bearings on the shaft. So the thing rattles all the time because of the movement.
I do have a dual blade one but that rattle as well :roll:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
exxos
- Site Admin

- Posts: 28443
- Joined: 16 Aug 2017 23:19
- Location: UK
Re: Any decent small USB powered desktop fans out there ?
I will de-dust and give it a try...alexh wrote: 02 May 2025 16:10 Most fans I've had rattle for one of two reasons. They are unbalanced due to dust deposits. Their bearings have gone. You'd be amazed how easily a fan is silenced by removing the guard and cleaning all blades evenly.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: ClaudeBot and 5 guests