Guide to taking Apart Gentle Typhoon Ball Bearing PC Cooling Fan

[MonsterMawd]

The Nidec-Servo's Scythe Gentle Typhoon (Model# D122C). This fan has been regarded as the best static pressure optimized fan by DIY PC community since it's release in 2008. The original D122C is no longer made, but there is limited stock available at some online retailers. Last year the D122C Scythe GT fan was resurrected and manufactured as "Darkside Black Edition" by Dazmode. It's the same specs as the original, but now has Black fan blades. Many PC Modders including myself have painted these fans to fit the color schemes of our custom PC builds. I've been asked several times over the years how to remove the metal c-clip without losing or breaking it?*This is my DIY guide to removing and installing external retaining ring or c-clip. Like many others, I've also lost these tiny c-clips while learning the best technique for handling this task.

Nidec-Servo's Scythe Gentle Typhoon Factory Spec PDF link, http://www.nidec-servo.com/en/digital/pdf/D1225C.pdf*
Speed: *2150RPM
Air performance : 68.8CFM
Nose: 34db (25cm from the fan, free air)
Power: 12VDC, 0.123A (0.63A peak max)
Operational voltage range: 5-12V (~900rpm-2150rpm)
Bearing: Ball
Expected life: 100000h/35c or 55000h/60c
Appearance: Full black
Dimensions: *119 x 119 x 25 mm / 4.68 x 4.68 x 0.98 in


WARNING:

Perform this task with Safety Glasses, the tiny Black metal retaining ring (c-clip) can and likely will pop off, so perform this task in a clean workspace, so you can find it. I suggest doing the work on a large white bed sheet and holding a large magnet near the fan hub as you remove and re-install the c-clip, to increase you're chances of not losing the c-clip. I haven't found a source for ordering replacement c-clips yet, but I'm still searching.

Here is my suggested Tools & Supplies

Safety Glasses (not pictured)
Heat Gun for removing the fan label. Hair Dryer on HIGH setting will work as well.
10" Wire Cable Tie
Large magnet (not pictured)
External Fixed-Tip Retaining Ring Pliers, RETAINING RING PLIERS, RETAINING RING TOOL, SNAP RING PLIERS
Tweezers
Needle Nose Pliers
Super Glue (not pictured)

External Fixed-Tip Retaining Ring Pliers, RETAINING RING PLIERS, RETAINING RING TOOL, SNAP RING PLIERS

The fan blade looks as if it would snap-on and off, but not the case.

We need to remove the back label to access the external metal c-clip on the fan shaft.

Swipe heat gun or hair dryer back and forth over the label.

Use the Tweezer to peel off the fan label.

Stick the fan label on a clean metal surface while you perform your work.

You will tie down the fan hub with this Twisty tie. The fan shaft has a retention spring inside. You need to compress this spring, so you can remove the metal c-clip. If you don't, it's almost a guarantee that the c-clip will fly off the shaft faster than a bullet.

Using Twisty tie to compress the fan hub spring, by tying down the hub to the fan frame.

 

[MonsterMawd]

Close ups of the Black metal c-clip inside the Scythe Gentle Typhoon.

Insert the two prongs of the Retaining Ring Plier inside the jaw of the c-clip.

If you have a large Magnet, Position it near the fan hub, just in case the c-clip pops off.

Holding the black metal c-clip in the Retaining Ring Plier.

You will widen the jaw of the c-clip and need to bend it back to it's original opening, so it maintains it's grip.

Hold the c-clip in the Tweezer while using a Needle Nose Plier to compress jaw of the c-clip.

Doing this will allow you to re-use the metal c-clip.

 

[MonsterMawd]

Here is the Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm Cooling fan dismantled

If you're wanting to paint your PC cooling fan. You can watch my DIY video guide to painting PC cooling fans

View of the spring inside the Gentle Typhoon PC Cooling fan, "Be careful, don't lose it!"

To re-install the metal fan c-clip, grip the c-clip in reverse position on the plier.

Reversing the c-clip on the plier will make it easier to re-install the metal cooling fan c-clip

Before releasing the plier, make sure the c-clip is properly seated on the fan shaft, otherwise it will fly off!

If the cooling fan label has very little adhesion left, I'll apply drops of Krazy or Super Glue to re-apply the label.

The job is finished!

Please post other PC cooling fan models you know of that use this same type of metal c-clip

 

[setishock]

Most fan motors, including my multi rotor motors, use what's called an E clip. Removing it is light years ahead of the clip in your demo. To get it out all you do is insert a small flat end screw driver in to a slot and give it a twist. The E clip slides back from the shaft and you grab it with tweezers or a fine nose pliers. Being spring steel and most likely magnetized from the proximity to the mags, it will stick to the screw driver. Putting it back on is simple. Line the open end of the clip to the shaft groove and using fine nosed pliers, snap it back in place.

You showed having to expand and then bend back the clip. You do have to expand that sort of clip to get it back over the end of the shaft and down to the groove cut for it. What you didn't show was having to apply pressure to the outside of the ends to force it closed again.

All you have to do to replace that sort of clip with a E clip is make sure the inside diameter of the clip is slightly less than the outside diameter of the groove. This is done mostly by trial and error.

These places carry a wide assortment.

https://www.teamassociated.com/parts/hardware/clips/
https://www.fastenal.com/products/f... and Clips"|~ ~|categoryl3:"600137 E-Clips"|~
E-Clips & C Clips, Spares & Accessories from Modelsport UK.
Amazon.com: ATD Tools 351 300-Piece E-Clip Assortment: Automotive

So my advice to you is replace that non spring steel circular clip with a real spring steel E clip and not worry about if it's on too tight or it's loose.

As for painting the blades, use very lite thin coats. If you get the paint on too heavy the fan weighs more and will take more current to rotate it. Also thin coats, just enough to color that blades, is better so it doesn't throw off the balance of the blades. Out of balance will wear out the bearings prematurely. And it makes noise. The frame will transfer that noise to the case and you get what I call "The Kettle Drum Effect".

 

[MonsterMawd]

Thanks for the great feedback and suggestions setishock! I'll check out the team associated e-clip, I recall their products being very good when I was into R/C car kits as a kid.

btw, somebody else suggested placing the fan inside a large clear plastic bag while removing the e-clip, to avoid losing it

 

[~mr mixx~]

Well done MonsterMawd, the tutorial was easy to follow.

 

[setishock]

One of those magnetic probes comes in handy. Get close enough to the clip so when you pop it off, it get sucked up by the mag on the end of the probe.
Actually I've never had an E or C fly off. Usually in my experience, it just slides back.

Speaking of not losing small parts. Pill bottles and those little zip lock bags are good for keeping track of them. Take a piece of paper tape and stick it on the bottle or bag and write what it is and where it came from.

 

[Legacy1]

Well done MonsterMawd, the tutorial was easy to follow.

I agree

 

[MonsterMawd]

Thanks for the posts guys!