Kessil H380 Fan noise

Rick Krejci · Sep 4, 2017

I'm setting up my reefer 250 and will be using the H380 in the sump to grow some Chaeto. I've chosen all of my equipment for this build to be as near as silent as possible, but the H380 is the loudest equipment on my whole tank! It sounds like a typical higher pitched computer fan (doesn't sound rattly or buzzy) and can be heard easily with the cabinet doors closed.

I'm wondering from those who own one if this is normal? I've owned Kessil lights before and never had one this noisy. Of course, I seldom ran them at 100%, whereas this one is either on 100% or off.

Thanks in advance!

Rick

Crabs McJones · Sep 4, 2017

How old is the light? Is it still under manufacturer warranty? If not it could be that the grease inside the fan has worn out. You can try fixing it yourself or replacing just the fan. My A360s make hardly no noise at 100%

Rick Krejci · Sep 4, 2017

Thanks for the response! It's brand new. I know the A series makes very little noise, but I don't think the H series is made to the same specs (and isn't meant to go in your living room), so I'm looking for someone who owns the H380 to get some feedback. I can always get a new one, but I hate to waste everyone's time and money if this is what it normally sounds like.

WesleyC · Sep 4, 2017

I have a H380 in my chaeto tank and it's dead silence, just like the A360.

Rick Krejci · Sep 4, 2017

Well, it sounds like I'm going to have to get a new one then. Mine is decidedly not silent. Thanks much for your reply!

Aqua500 · Sep 27, 2017

Did you return yours?, just got a H380 and yes, noisy as hell.

Rick Krejci · Sep 27, 2017

I dealt with Kessil Customer service, who were very courteous. When I first emailed, I was told:

"The H380 light should not have audible fan noises, especially from across the room with the cabinet closed. The fan should only be audible if you put your ear up to the light. "

They sent me a new one, and it sounded identical. I recorded this and sent it to them:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5f1tru8z53wbmj3/IMG_0272.MOV?dl=0

They had the guys listen to it (and to my returned original unit) and was told :

"After reviewing your videos, I compared the noises of a few H380 units from new to RMA units. The H380 does have a higher fan speed than some of our other products. Based on the videos and comparing it to the lights we have at the factory, it appears that the light and fan is working under normal conditions."

Sucks, but it's tolerable and the wife hasn't complained yet. As I said, the rest of my tank is virtually silent, so it stands out more.

Cherub · Sep 27, 2017

if they let us dial them down some heat wouldn't be an issue. 300 dollars for a sump light and we can't turn them down. :mad::mad::mad:

WesleyC · Sep 27, 2017

Rick Krejci said:
They sent me a new one, and it sounded identical. I recorded this and sent it to them:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5f1tru8z53wbmj3/IMG_0272.MOV?dl=0

Wow! That is loud! Mine has no sound at all. I would return it.

Rick Krejci · Sep 28, 2017

I will say that it is getting slightly less noisy over the several week's I've been running it. Can't notice it much with the cabinet closed anymore, which is my main concern.

Aqua500 · Sep 28, 2017

I think perhaps it is that you are getting use to the noise Rick

But to entertain you, here a video of the difference between my A160 and H380, it is like a jet taking off. I can tell the problem here is that the fan has no speed control. I hear that the A360, which has the same body as the H380 has the same noise level as the A160. Perhaps when they build the H380's they envisage that they are not going to hang above a tank and be either in a cabinet or green house where the noise wont matter. Anyway, for me; being a noise fanatic, silencing absolutely everything it is like standing next to a Airbus A380 taking off.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/sw26z80d1nkftgb/AADB5O2wAHY0PJVbtkpsO1Wqa?dl=0

Rick Krejci · Sep 28, 2017

I do agree that I wish that they were made to the same standards as the A360s at that price. Including dimming vs. on/off so you can acclimate your plants and since sumps have limited headroom, and multi-speed thermostat controlled fans, which would run slowly if you didn't have the dimmer set to 100%. Oh, and a 10V control port so you can use the apex to control without using up one of the power bar outlets.

Mine is definitely quieter now. It has less of that high pitched noise. I can just tell when it kicks on vs before when it dominated the other noises. Sounds like you have an especially noisy one Aqua500.