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Comment by byyll | Hacker News Reader

Many people run Noctua fans for more than 10 years.

25 years in all weather, not even a Noctua fan is making it that long. Its not the cost of the panels that is the issue its getting them on the roof, repairing them is enormously expensive as they have no gaps between them and buying replacements a decade later is almost impossible as people are finding out. Longevity to maximise returns is a necessity with an investment that takes 7 years to break even.

Sure, in a PC case. Not outside exposed to the elements.

Presumably the fan isn’t really exposed to much other than atmospheric air at atmospheric. There’s generally Less dust outside than inside. I’m doubting humidity has much effect on fans.

I suspect biggest failure mode for fans are the bearing’s lubrication drying out. Sometimes this can be serviced (with much difficulty) or take the efficiency hit and use a thicker grease that doesn’t evaporate as fast.

Nice thing is that they’re not a critical part here, and it’s diminishing returns so if you have multiples and 1 fails, you’re still ok.

The combined heat and humidity cycles of being on a roof would be quite damaging to any electro-mechanical machine. Especially one that isn't designed for that kind of environment. I'd be surprised if a PC fan made it more than 2 or 3 years in that environment.

Probably depends a lot on the specific climate though.

Exposed to the elements on a roof?

The fans in air conditioners seem to handle the elements fine.

Compressor fans are expensive, heavy, and energy intensive, so what exactly have we gained?

The fans in air conditioners also need a 3-inch x 2-inch capacitor to start.

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