Replacement of .16 amp Case Fan with .18 amp Case Fan ....HELP!!

[ballcarrier2000]

Hello,

Hoping somewhat can help with a novice amperage question.

I am working on replacing a case fan used to cool an Oster wine fridge (cheap-o model). The original fan is a 0.16 Amp, 12 V DC from Rulian Science. I went to multiple electronics store to find a replacement case fan with the exact specifications.

The closest I could come to is a fan that is an 0.18 Amp, 12V DC fan from Fry's Electornics.

Question is, will the replacement fan work fine or are there some considerations since it draws 0.18 amps instead of 0.16 amps?

Thanks,
MR

 

[BradtheRad]

In terms of strict math, the replacement fan will draw 12.5 % more power. This is not likely to be too much of a burden for the power supply.

Just to examine this a little further...

Have you observed whether the old fan causes the supply voltage to drop?
So if you hook up the new fan, the volt level may drop a little further than before.
This will result in reduced power draw, and that will tend to even things out a bit.

I could be wrong.

 

[betwixt]

To be honest, I would guess fan ratings, especially in that kind of equipment are probably only specified t +/- 10% anyway so it probably wouldn't make any difference. If it uses a Peltier device to provide the cooling they typically draw 4 - 5 Amps anyway so the power supply should hardly notice the extra load.

Before discardig the old fan, if it's rumbling or not starting up without a push try this first: Peell back the manufacturers label, beneath it you should see the end of the motor shaft. If you see a rubber bung instead, hook it out but try not to damage it, when you see the end of the metal shaft, put ONE SMALL drop of light oil on it. You should use just enough that it covers the circlip washers and shaft, adding more will just make a mess! Then spin it by hand a few times to work the oil into the bearing and reassemble it. It doesn't always work but in many cases it will save you buying a new one and the repair can last for years.

Brian.

 

[ballcarrier2000]

To be honest, I would guess fan ratings, especially in that kind of equipment are probably only specified t +/- 10% anyway so it probably wouldn't make any difference. If it uses a Peltier device to provide the cooling they typically draw 4 - 5 Amps anyway so the power supply should hardly notice the extra load.

Before discardig the old fan, if it's rumbling or not starting up without a push try this first: Peell back the manufacturers label, beneath it you should see the end of the motor shaft. If you see a rubber bung instead, hook it out but try not to damage it, when you see the end of the metal shaft, put ONE SMALL drop of light oil on it. You should use just enough that it covers the circlip washers and shaft, adding more will just make a mess! Then spin it by hand a few times to work the oil into the bearing and reassemble it. It doesn't always work but in many cases it will save you buying a new one and the repair can last for years.

Brian.

Really appreciate the help both of you.

Brian, I tried your suggestion, so far so good. Looked like the oil had been leaking out and it was a matter of putting oil back in the bearing case. Cleaned the old oil out with a little WD-40 and then put some oil back in.

You saved me a lot of time. Cheers, MR