Fan noise in Rigol DS1102E same as DS1052E? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Antlab
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2012, 02:26:59 am
content: Hi all.I am new here, but I read a lot of post in the last days, because I would like to purchase some new equipment, so I am interested in evaluating the best alternatives.Concerning oscilloscopes, I saw that there is a lot of information about the Rigol DS1052E, at present my first candidate.Anyway I read the problem with the noisy fan, and at least initially I would like to avoid opening it to change the fan, in order to maintain the warranty.So I would like to know if its bigger brother, the Rigol DS1102E has the same problem with the fan. If so, do you have any suggestion for other alternatives without fan noise problem (maybe Owon?)?Thanks for the attention.A.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2012, 02:50:48 am
content: The DS1102E is the same hardware as the DS1052E.I have a DS1102E and although the fan is quite loud, I don't find it all that troubling. It's a soft sound and doesn't have any high pitched whining or screaming tones. It just settles into the background and becomes unobtrusive.(Unlike a PC I had where the fan was a screaming monster, sounding like a cross between a jet engine and a vacuum cleaner. I felt like I wanted to take a hammer to it to shut it up. The Rigol fan is nothing like that, in fact it might even lull you to sleep.)

author: electrode
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2012, 03:18:42 am
content: I've never understood the noise complaints of the Rigol DS1052E. That said, I did get mine fairly recently (~7 months ago), so the design may have changed. The fan noise is a constant, quiet sound.

author: Antlab
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2012, 11:26:28 am
content: Thank you IanB and electrode for the answers.I was asking about the noisy fan because I read here and on other sites variuos complaints about the issue, so I was worried. But your opinions are reassuring, I will probably go for the Rigol, I only hope it will not help me to sleep too muchThanks, ciao.A.

author: RCMR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2012, 07:57:51 am
content: Same here -- the fan in mine can be heard but it's not intrusive.However, load up the big IBM server in the corner of my office and you really know what fan-noise is all about!

author: Antlab
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2012, 10:56:43 am
content: Quote from: RCMR on February 10, 2012, 07:57:51 amHi RCMR, thanks for the answer.I fully understand you, sometimes at work is impossible to avoid really noisy equipment. It is just one of the reasons that lead me to try, at least at home, to put particular attention to silent hardware. My newest PC is very quiet, both for the case and for the choice of fans. Now, considering the purchase of a new oscilloscope, I would avoid to vanify that benefitThe answers in this thread are giving condifence luckily, so I plan to order the Rigol quite soon.Thanks, ciao.A.

author: mianchen
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2012, 11:27:17 am
content: Quote from: Antlab on February 10, 2012, 10:56:43 amGot my 1102E today from Batronix Germany...fast delivery (to UK)...but the fan IS indeed very noisy, especially when I sit this thing in a corner of my tiny bench - the noise is amplified by at least an order of magnitudewell I guess I have to put up with it until I can mod it or have more money to buy a quieter one

author: Neutron7
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2012, 01:25:42 pm
content: I put a quieter fan in. not recommended for hot climates with no AC! (i use it in a music room so the noise was unacceptable).Its really easy to get at but the fan uses a different connector than most pc fans, so you need to get the tools out. (and it voids the warranty, but i bought mine from china, so i doubt i would have any luck with a warranty anyways)

author: AlphZeta
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2012, 02:17:48 pm
content: QuoteAmong my four computers, power supplies, basement dehumidifier, the DS1052E fan noise is least of my issue, I can barely hear it when it is on even though it is probably considered loud by some people's standard. Anyway, that's what a workshop supposed to be -- a little bit noisy -- in my opinion. The constant background noise doesn't bother me a bit.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2012, 06:25:59 pm
content: Quote from: AlphZeta on August 20, 2012, 02:17:48 pmIndeed! A real man's workshop is usually VERY noisy ... filled with Megadeth and the sortsEspecially when it's DREMEL time

author: mianchen
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2012, 08:46:20 pm
content: Quote from: T4P on August 20, 2012, 06:25:59 pmI don't mind the noise of Dremel too much, just don't like the mess. Making a dedicated Dremel area in my shed or garage away from my clean and tidy lab is always on the list of things to do.