Cooling · Axial Fans · 12038 Frame · 24V DC · Inverter Grade
What Is the BAIKEFAN DBA12038B24L-1?
The BAIKEFAN DBA12038B24L-1 is a 120mm x 120mm x 38mm axial cooling fan designed specifically for forced-air thermal management inside frequency inverters and variable frequency drives (VFDs). Operating at 24V DC and drawing approximately 1.0A, this 2-wire fan runs at full speed whenever power is applied, providing predictable and reliable airflow without relying on PWM control signals or tachometer feedback.
In short: A direct replacement inverter cooling fan — 120x120x38mm form factor, 24V DC, 1.0A, dual ball bearing design intended for continuous 24/7 operation inside drive enclosures where ambient temperatures regularly exceed 50°C.
Installation Guide — What to Verify Before Swapping
1. Measure the Old Fan Exactly
The "12038" in the part number means 120mm square frame by 38mm thick. Some inverters use 12025 (25mm thick) or 9225 fans — a 38mm-thick fan will not fit in a 25mm mounting slot. Measure the old fan's frame dimensions and thickness with calipers before assuming this is a drop-in replacement. Also confirm the mounting hole spacing — the holes on a 12038 are typically 105mm apart center-to-center.
2. Airflow Direction Matters
Most inverter cooling fans are mounted to blow air INTO the drive enclosure (over the heatsink) or EXTRACT hot air OUT. Look for the arrow molded into the fan frame — it shows rotation direction and airflow direction. Installing the fan backwards will fight the natural convection path and may cause the drive to overheat within minutes of running at load. Match the arrow direction to the old fan, not the label orientation.
3. Connector Compatibility
This is a 2-wire fan — red (+24V) and black (GND). If your old fan had 3 or 4 wires, the extra conductors were for tachometer feedback and/or PWM speed control. When replacing a multi-wire fan with this 2-wire model, connect only the power and ground leads. The drive's fan monitoring circuit may trigger a fault if it expects a tachometer signal — some drives allow you to disable fan monitoring in parameters; others may need the tach wire looped to trick the detection. Check your drive manual.
Key Specifications
| Model |
BAIKEFAN DBA12038B24L-1 |
| Frame Size |
120mm x 120mm x 38mm (12038) |
| Rated Voltage |
24V DC |
| Rated Current |
1.0A (verify from fan label) |
| Wire Count |
2-wire (Power + GND, no tach/PWM) |
| Bearing Type |
Dual ball bearing (verify from label) |
| Condition |
New |
Airflow (CFM), static pressure (mmH2O), noise (dBA), and speed (RPM) values — check manufacturer datasheet or contact us for available documentation.
Equipment This Fan Is Commonly Found In
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Delta VFDs: VFD-E, VFD-EL, VFD-B, and C2000 series drives in the 5.5-15kW range
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Yaskawa Drives: V1000, A1000, and GA700 series inverter cooling fans
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Omron/Schneider/Fuji Drives: Commonly found in OEM-branded inverter enclosures where a 12038 24V fan is specified
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Servo Drive Cabinets: Multi-axis servo amplifiers that use 120mm fans for cabinet cross-ventilation
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UPS Systems: Online double-conversion UPS inverter modules and rectifier shelves
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CNC Electrical Panels: Spindle drive enclosures and axis servo cabinets
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my inverter fan has failed before the drive trips?
Listen. A failing ball bearing produces a characteristic growling or grinding noise that gets progressively louder over weeks before the fan seizes entirely. If you do a regular walk-around inspection of your drive cabinets, put your ear near each drive — a healthy fan is a smooth whoosh; a failing fan sounds raspy. You can also check by looking through the ventilation slots with a flashlight: if the blades are not spinning or are spinning slowly, power down and replace immediately.
Can I clean and lubricate this fan instead of replacing it?
Ball bearing fans are sealed units — the bearings are packed with grease at the factory and cannot be re-lubricated externally. If the bearing is noisy, it is already worn and will only get worse. Sleeve bearing fans can sometimes be temporarily revived with a drop of light oil, but this is a short-term fix at best. For a drive that runs 24/7, replacing the fan is the only reliable option. Keep a spare on the shelf.
What is the difference between 2-wire, 3-wire, and 4-wire cooling fans?
A 2-wire fan has power and ground — it runs at full speed. A 3-wire fan adds a tachometer output (yellow wire) that sends a pulse signal proportional to fan speed — the drive or motherboard can detect if the fan has stopped. A 4-wire fan adds a PWM input (blue wire) that allows the controller to vary fan speed dynamically. For simple inverter cooling, 2-wire is the most common and most reliable configuration.
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