Starlight Express H694 cooling fans

[Shiraz (Ray)]

Hi - the following just for info if you have a starlight express camera.

The main fan on my SXH694 camera started making very worrying noises -happened at the start of a beautiful clear moonless period of course. After checking with SX to make sure I could not stuff anything up, I removed the 35mm fan. Didn't have a suitable drop-in replacement, so I drilled and tapped a couple of holes to allow a 40mm from my junk box to be fitted temporarily on the outside of the case - that worked well enough to get me back under the stars, until I could get a real one.

The internal 35x35x7 5v Sunon maglev fan turned out to be no longer in production, but I found a 35x35x10 12v Sunon maglev that was available locally and that had similar airflow. That fan didn't fit internally but works fine on the outside of the case and powered from the outrigger fan supply - and it looks much neater than the nondescript 40mm did.

While I was at it, I ordered a new fan for the outrigger - and just as well, since one of the lead contacts on the original had corroded and crumbled when I touched it.

The camera has now been running fine for a few months - it doesn't look quite as pretty as it once did, but it works just as well as ever and I can't see it in the dark anyway. Regards Ray

[PeterM]

A good solution Ray.
Did SX offer any replacement fan as they still make the camera so they must have something that fits? They are usually very good on these things.
I bought my H694 last November last year and also have the SXVRH9 with the internal fan and that's about 4 years old.

[Shiraz (Ray)]

thanks Peter.
SX advice was that I replace the fan myself, but since I can't get the real one, maybe they might be able to help at that. Will ask them - thanks for the suggestion.

[codemonkey (Lee)]

I've never really used the fan on my 674. Did you find it makes much of a difference?

[Shiraz (Ray)]

Originally Posted by codemonkey

I've never really used the fan on my 674. Did you find it makes much of a difference?

always have it on - never checked what effect it has, but SX must have thought it was beneficial in warmer conditions.

[PeterM]

Ahhh sorry ok so we are talking he external side bolt on cooling enhancer fan, not the internal rear fan. These can be bought for around $90 from both the Australian suppliers Sirius Optics & AEC
AEC current ad
Cooling Enhancer -Additional fan bracket for SXVR range of cameras $86

Agree all extra cooling is helpful, especially in Qld

[Shiraz (Ray)]

Originally Posted by PeterM

Ahhh sorry ok so we are talking he external side bolt on cooling enhancer fan, not the internal rear fan. These can be bought for around $90 from both the Australian suppliers Sirius Optics & AEC
AEC current ad
Cooling Enhancer -Additional fan bracket for SXVR range of cameras $86

Agree all extra cooling is helpful, especially in Qld

no, it was the internal fan that made noises and needed replacing - had to take the back plate off to get at it, but nothing difficult. And then the bolt-on fan in the cooling enhancer fell to bits as well. The 2 replacement Sunon maglev fans from Altronics cost about $20 each from memory

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

I'm a bit of a fan of the thread...it's very cool

...sorry...

[Shiraz (Ray)]

been looking for emoticon with slow sideways shaking of head and wry smile - couldn't find one, so this will have to do .

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

How about this...?

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

How about this...?

That brought a laugh.