CPU Cooler Wire Issue

[Codelyoko373]

I recently just got a Alpine 64 Plus CPU Cooler that I ordered though when I had a look at it, the fan part actually came off. I eventually attached it back to the cooler with brute force (cause there isn't any screws or anything that actually attaches the fan to the heatsink, it just clips on) but the problem is... I didn't exactly pay attention to the wire connected to the fan when attaching the fan to the heatsink so the wire has slightly twisted and movex out of place from where it should be.

Image 1:
http://i.imgur.com/dOELkJR.jpg

Image 2:
http://i.imgur.com/wu9ytT8.jpg

Image 3:
http://i.imgur.com/fcRFqYD.jpg

Sorry about the low quality images, it's kinda hard to take a good quality good through a heatsink but I hope you can kinda see that the wires are twisted and out of place slightly.

I haven't tested the fan yet but I was just wondering if the way the wires are is okay? or should I just return it and hopefully get a new one (which would take about 2 weeks). I'm basically just a little worried about how flexible the wires are and if them being closer to the heatsink then they normally would be is a issue.

I also have tried to take the fan off and move the wire into it's correct place but it seems the way the fan is mounted onto the heatsink... it's almost impossible without breaking the fan.

 

[lumineZ]

Should not be a problem unless you managed to strip the wire insulation.

 

[Codelyoko373]

Should not be a problem unless you managed to strip the wire insulation.

Pretty sure I haven't but truthfully I'm not sure what happened to the cooler during it's delivery

 

[lumineZ]

If you are very unsure and if I where you I would return it.

But again if the wire insulation is ok then there should not be a problem. Do you have a second computer in the house or maybe a buddy of you that you can take the cpu cooler to and just plug it into one of the fan headers there and see if it start to spin with no problem?

Just make sure wire insulation are ok! so you dont create a short!

 

[Codelyoko373]

If you are very unsure and if I where you I would return it.

But again if the wire insulation is ok then there should not be a problem. Do you have a second computer in the house or maybe a buddy of you that you can take the cpu cooler to and just plug it into one of the fan headers there and see if it start to spin with no problem?

Just make sure wire insulation are ok! so you dont create a short!

Well it doesn't look like the insulation has come off but it's kinda hard to tell due to the heatsink and the wires being twisted. I do worry about the blue wire scraping against the heatsink though as it comes out which I'm worried may be a problem.

 

[lumineZ]

Can you take it apart again and inspect the wires?

 

[Codelyoko373]

Can you take it apart again and inspect the wires?

I would if I could. The fan isn't screwed onto the heatsink or anything... it's just sort of clipped on with brute force so taking it off is almost impossible without breaking the fan

 

[lumineZ]

Hmm...

Then do one out of 2 things since thats about all you can do:

1. Plug it in and hope you dont have a short since that can be expencive if you fry the motherboard.

2. Return it and get a new one.

 

[Codelyoko373]

Hmm...

Then do one out of 2 things since thats about all you can do:

1. Plug it in and hope you dont have a short since that can be expencive if you fry the motherboard.

2. Return it and get a new one.

Well I actually got the fan off by pushing the side of the heatsink in and pulling the fan towards me... took a lot of effort.

I've fixed the twisted issue but I can't get the wires into their correct position.
http://i.imgur.com/o7CRpoZ.jpg
It should be under that little bit (not sure how to describe it) but I can't for the life of me get the wire under it. I can simply leave it out but it will be against the heatsink

 

[lumineZ]

You have to take 1 and 1 wire and push under using a blunt object to help you out. Use a piece of wood, the handle of a butter knife etc. Just not anything pointy or sharp so you dont damage the wires.

And where the wires are solderd to the fan motor, do they look ok. Not loose or snapped of or anything? If all is ok. just work 1 wire at the time under the lip and you should be good to go.

 

[Codelyoko373]

You have to take 1 and 1 wire and push under using a blunt object to help you out. Use a piece of wood, the handle of a butter knife etc. Just not anything pointy or sharp so you dont damage the wires.

And where the wires are solderd to the fan motor, do they look ok. Not loose or snapped of or anything? If all is ok. just work 1 wire at the time under the lip and you should be good to go.

Here is an image; http://i.imgur.com/xgix7oW.jpg (Sorry for the low quality)

I managed to get the wires under that thing but the black wire was slightly poking out. Everything also looked fine. I did take pictures of the wires if you want to judge:

http://i.imgur.com/BEYyVVT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xAYaDez.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/fK18ttk.jpg

 

[lumineZ]

From the pictures it looks fine.

I belive you can just plug it in and be good to go.

 

[Codelyoko373]

From the pictures it looks fine.

I belive you can just plug it in and be good to go.

Shall do tomorrow and I'll tell you what happens.

If the wire is cut, it will fry my motherboard instantly?

 

[lumineZ]

Not if the wire is cut, but if lets say the blue and the yellows wire insulation is broken so they both are down the bare metal and they touch metal to metal = a short. You will most likely fry the fan header you have put it on, on the motherboard. If you are unlucky you can fry the motherboard.

Thats the reason I asked if the wire insulation is broken or fine.

If one cable is broken but the wire insulation is intact the current will "jump" the space inside the cable and create heat and the wire insulation can / will start to melt and you will smell that pretty fast.

 

[Codelyoko373]

Not if the wire is cut, but if lets say the blue and the yellows wire insulation is broken so they both are down the bare metal and they touch metal to metal = a short. You will most likely fry the fan header you have put it on, on the motherboard. If you are unlucky you can fry the motherboard.

Thats the reason I asked if the wire insulation is broken or fine.

If one cable is broken but the wire insulation is intact the current will "jump" the space inside the cable and create heat and the wire insulation can / will start to melt and you will smell that pretty fast.

So you would say I'm safe to test the fan?

 

[lumineZ]

Yes, from what I did see from the pictures. But you can inspect it closer and better than me. Its easy to see if the wire insulation is cracked or punctured.
Just look at the wire and bend it alittle up and down, left to right in different places and you should see if it is faulty. Crack in the insulation, Holes, tearing. Any kind of puncture damage.
If there is none of that you are good to go.

 

[Codelyoko373]

Yes, from what I did see from the pictures. But you can inspect it closer and better than me. Its easy to see if the wire insulation is cracked or punctured.
Just look at the wire and bend it alittle up and down, left to right in different places and you should see if it is faulty. Crack in the insulation, Holes, tearing. Any kind of puncture damage.
If there is none of that you are good to go.

I don't remember seeing any though I may just check again cause I'm paranoid. Thanks for your help. I'll try it tomorrow and tell ya if it works

 

[lumineZ]

Good

But I will repeat what I sayd before. If you are unsure. RMA it and get a new one.
Better to be safe than sorry

 

[Codelyoko373]

Good

But I will repeat what I sayd before. If you are unsure. RMA it and get a new one.
Better to be safe than sorry

Well truthfully what would you suggest I do? I don't want to break my computer but neither do I want to wait 2 weeks, haha

 

[lumineZ]

I myself after I had inspected the wires and found no damage, would have plugged it in. If I had found damage I would have returned it.

 

[Codelyoko373]

I myself after I had inspected the wires and found no damage, would have plugged it in. If I had found damage I would have returned it.

The thing is I can't really tell if some parts of the wires are damaged or are just scratches as there seems to be a couple of scratches and dents along the wires considering I misplaced them the first time I fixed the fan so they were basically getting crushed by the heatsink.

 

[lumineZ]

Scrathes and dents you need not to worry about. As long as there is no hole in the wire insulation you are good to go.

 

[Codelyoko373]

Scrathes and dents you need not to worry about. As long as there is no hole in the wire insulation you are good to go.

There doesn't look like there is any but the decision is too hard truthfully XD. The last thing I want to do is wait another week for a replacement (I am impatient XD)

 

[lumineZ]

Then just plug it in. Its not made out of crystal glass 😀

 

[Codelyoko373]

Then just plug it in. Its not made out of crystal glass 😀

Well no of course not XD but there is still that worry of it will short my motherboard