It seems people haven't learned from the debacle with the dbrand Project Killswitch case using magnets that causes problems with certain Steam Deck fan speeds.
Recently, a company sent over a Power Bank to look over and potentially do an article and video on. After spending time with it and being ready to do a video, the company then sent a follow-up email to warn me that it's actually a bit problematic. The issue: the Power Bank uses a magnetic mount to attach it to the Steam Deck, and magnets do not play nicely with the Delta fans (which Valve still use in addition to the Huaying model).
So I made a decision not to cover it in a video (and article review) and instead do a PSA (public service announcement), because no doubt a few people won't check their fan. This is the item in question, and really: just go for basically any other Power Bank that won't potentially mess with your Steam Deck. Even on the Huaying fans, it could still potentially cause problems. In a lot of cases the Steam Deck already gets pretty high temperatures, adding to that is not going to be a good idea. Why risk it? Don't.
So what Power Bank to actually go for? As long as it has at least 45w delivery through PD 3.0 and a good battery size, you should be fine for actual charging. Just again — don't mess with magnets. The Deckmate system is a good way to attach things to the back of a Steam Deck.
To companies and people making things for Steam Deck: just stop using magnets. I get it, they're cheaper than designing a locking method but please stop.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
slaapliedje Jan 10, 2023
Chuckaluphagus Jan 10, 2023
Also, I picked up a Deckmate set before the holidays, when they were having a sale. The design and fit with the Deck are great, and the company is very cool in that it also has all their designs available as pay-what-you-want files for 3D printers, with a BoM for any springs and the like.
Quoting: Purple Library GuyHow often is there going to be something in there that magnets won't play well with?
It's also hard to find portable photography lights without strong magnets included.
Quoting: Chuckaluphagusis the Huaying fan not affected by a magnetic attachment?Every fan is affected by magnets. Maybe not noticeable at first, but it could decrease durability of the bearings.
Last edited by Klaas on 10 January 2023 at 9:00 pm UTC
Quoting: Purple Library GuyYou would kind of think that it would be a sort of in general best practice for devices intended to attach to computer-y things not to be magnet-based. How often is there going to be something in there that magnets won't play well with?This reminds me of when I was in my early teens and really wanted to put fridge-magnets on the family beige-box.
I knew better, of course, so it surprises me that we still see things like this in 2023!
StoneColdSpider Jan 11, 2023
Just finished switching my delta fan for the better one this weekend (had it used together with killswitch for months now). I don't feel any difference though. If it just breaks the fan in the long term, I'm good with that tradeoff for overall convenience
Quoting: CZiNTrPTI love the magnet on my dbrand killswitch though. Also put my additional sd card on there via magnets.
Just finished switching my delta fan for the better one this weekend (had it used together with killswitch for months now). I don't feel any difference though. If it just breaks the fan in the long term, I'm good with that tradeoff for overall convenience
I agree with you 100%. I haven't checked to see which fan I have, but I haven't noticed any change in speed or heat when the kickstand is on vs off. I absolutely love the case, the plastic cover for travel, and the magnetic kickstand; I am totally fine with the increased risk of heat or wear/ tear. It's too bad there's not more information about the percentage of circulating steam decks with the affected fan, as I'm pretty happy with my current accessories with magnets via dbrand and would love to see more. I guess we'll see what the mechanical attachment feels like soon.
Quoting: BazirkerQuoting: CZiNTrPTI love the magnet on my dbrand killswitch though. Also put my additional sd card on there via magnets.
Just finished switching my delta fan for the better one this weekend (had it used together with killswitch for months now). I don't feel any difference though. If it just breaks the fan in the long term, I'm good with that tradeoff for overall convenience
I agree with you 100%. I haven't checked to see which fan I have, but I haven't noticed any change in speed or heat when the kickstand is on vs off. I absolutely love the case, the plastic cover for travel, and the magnetic kickstand; I am totally fine with the increased risk of heat or wear/ tear. It's too bad there's not more information about the percentage of circulating steam decks with the affected fan, as I'm pretty happy with my current accessories with magnets via dbrand and would love to see more. I guess we'll see what the mechanical attachment feels like soon.
You can also check your steamdecks components on the steam store directly without opening it. It's pretty neat
slaapliedje Jan 12, 2023
Quoting: CZiNTrPTLink? That is way cool.Quoting: BazirkerQuoting: CZiNTrPTI love the magnet on my dbrand killswitch though. Also put my additional sd card on there via magnets.
Just finished switching my delta fan for the better one this weekend (had it used together with killswitch for months now). I don't feel any difference though. If it just breaks the fan in the long term, I'm good with that tradeoff for overall convenience
I agree with you 100%. I haven't checked to see which fan I have, but I haven't noticed any change in speed or heat when the kickstand is on vs off. I absolutely love the case, the plastic cover for travel, and the magnetic kickstand; I am totally fine with the increased risk of heat or wear/ tear. It's too bad there's not more information about the percentage of circulating steam decks with the affected fan, as I'm pretty happy with my current accessories with magnets via dbrand and would love to see more. I guess we'll see what the mechanical attachment feels like soon.
You can also check your steamdecks components on the steam store directly without opening it. It's pretty neat
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