One of the recurrent issues with Hikvision NVR’s is the intolerable level of noise that it can produce, which may be ok if you place it a remote server room or attic in a thick cupboard but could cause real irritation if placed in a dining / bedroom, especially for people with higher sensitivity.
Hikvision’s NVRs (such as DS-7608NI-K2-8P) is fitted with two 40mm cooling fans and a loud PSU PSU (KSA-180S2) with a 12v 5A rail, a 52v 2.5A rail, which together produce a whole range of nasty metallic noises that can get under one’s skin.
In addition to just being loud, the fans operate at the maximum capacity at all times whether or nor it is required, rather than being temperature-controlled.
BIG DISCLAIMER HERE – before you start playing around with the NVR – make sure that you have the necessary tools (including a voltmeter), comfortable with electricity and really want to gamble with warranty. If you answered 'NO' to at least one of those questions – then the best thing to do is to look for a noise-cancellation case for your Hik NVR. 
Step 1 - Fan replacement
The primary culprit responsible for the excessive noise generation is Hik’s 40mm fan. The replacement of it with a quality 80-120mm fan, which you can get from any good PC store, would do the job.
Make sure that the fan is properly fitted and oriented to supply enough air to the system, otherwise it may get damaged.
The standard Hik fan look like this:
Step 2 - Power Supply replacement
The cooling fans of most Hikvision NVRs are powered by (KSA-180S2) PSU over two voltage rails –12v 5A rail and 52v 2.5A (PoE) so make sure that you get corresponding AC adapters.
Cut the pigtail off the old PSU.
Cut off the pin plugs on the replacement AC adapters.
Connect the old PSU and the AC adapters via connector blocks (AKA Chock Blocks)
Mount and wire the fan (glue / weld / cable ties) to the bottom of the NVR (+ use fan gaskets) – I would recommend drilling holes through the bottom of the NVR’s housing where the holes for the old fan are.
If need be, cut a hole for the fan )or use the existing vents if possible)
Use noise absorption material to further silence your NRV if necessary
Finally, after the work is done, check the temperature stats (and keep it monitored for a few hours after you power it up) by logging into your NVR. - =>Configuration=>Storage Management=>Temperature.
#NVR #Hikvision #CoolingFan #DIY #Setup
That looks like a lot of work to do!?
Can you recommend any cooling fans to swap the standard Hikvision ones?
Asus fans are pretty good - virtually silent and yet move a lot of air.
Alternative solution that does not require tinkering with the nvr is to use a passive noise-cancelling box - I've made one myself using EQ acoustic tiles (leftover from the fit-out works for a my small garage-studio) - and it worked admirabbly!
Do you have any more leftovers?
How did you management to achieve adequate airflow/ventilation with this set up? How was the residual temperature management? Do you have any photos you could share please? Thanks for your help!
That's the reason I use Synology for my set-up - it is almost silent!
Yeah, synology is a beauty compared to hikvision's beast
Does this not invalidate hikvision warranty and stuff?
I thin it does... that is, if you manage to break it 😃
Nice post! I've just finished replacing the fans and power block in my 32-NI-I4/P Hikvision - it is now purring like a kitten. It is still audible but it if no longer sounds like metal cyborgs are getting tortured in hell...
If I get around to if and if of interest to anyone, I can add a few practical tips that I've myself learned in a hard way, so that at least you don't have to make the same mistakes.
Again - very nice post. Without it and a few other blogs I gathered info from I would have probably spent much longer than I actually did!
Cheers!
@Snake Whisperer tips would be most welcome!
Does anyone know if a NAS is also noisy? Does a nAs even have a cooling fan?
a NAS having a CPU almost always means that it requires a fan so that the device does not overheat. There are a few 'fanless' NAS solutions but they either are very small or use some alternative cooling - say hydro-cooling or gas-cooling (both are more typical to full-blown servers). I would not recommend any fansless NAS, just not worth it!
@CrzFrog Thanks!