Fan too slow cause damages?

[The_Other_One]

OK, I just did the overhaul on my machine, but something weird's going on... For a while, my older 80mm fans worked great in here. Now, when I slow the fan down too much, it sounds like it's scraping something. It didn't do this the first time I tried! Could I of done some harm to it going too slow or what?

 

[suprasteve]

see if it's touching wires maybe? I had it once where when the fan was spinning fast it was just enough to push a wire out of the way but when it slowed down it touched the blades slightly, I usually only noticed it when starting up cause the fan has to speed up

 

[The_Other_One]

Yeah, I wondered that because it started making noises after I moved some wires around, but I still don't get it! I'll be sure to check that Friday, when I go back home to my machine... Still, I doubt it because there's somewhat of a grid in front of the fan(where it would suck the wires to it) So nothing should happen there, particually when it slows down...

Oh well, maybe I'll try the other fan I have, or move it to help cool off my HD... Would you beleive the HD was running at 40*C but the processor was running at 25*C!

 

[ceewi1]

Could I of done some harm to it going too slow or what?

Can't imagine how. The bearings will sometimes wear out on older fans, which could give this sound, but if that were it the fan would sound like a lawnmower when you get it to full speed.

If it's misaligned you can get a similar problem caused by vibration, but again it would increase when you increase the speed.

suprasteve's idea sounds the most plausable if you haven't already checked. It's really easy for a wire to rub against the fan.

 

[The_Other_One]

The fan used to be my processor fan on an older computer. It wasn't used but for a month or so before I upgraded to the new machine...so it's basically new... I have another one so I'll try that one next as well...

The fan connects in a little bracket thingy, no screws or anything. It's very snug, so it shouldn't vibrate or anything...

Oh screw it, I'll work on it Friday!

 

[Beyond]

i had an extate fan that spun so slow you could see the blades while it was spinning and could stick your finger into it and wouldn't hurt. a week later, it's dead. this was due to a VERY dirty fan.. lol...........

but as far as the scraping .. one of my fans does this as well, although i don't know why either..