Adapters for fans....

[bkwudzjeep]

I just received some fans.....one is a Radio Shack, and the other a 3" IceCap variable speed.....

Do I just use a regular 12v adapter?

I found a 12 VOLT DC 100mA and a 12 VOLT DC 250mA...

Are these acceptable? How does the mA make a difference?

 

[Vincerama2]

The more current you supply, the faster the fan will spin.

Either would be fine, I think.

I ran some computer case fans that I found in my closet with a cell phone adapter I had laying around....

V

 

[AZDesertRat]

Thats incorrect. The more voltage you supply the faster they run. The current has nothing to do with the speed. Either of those will run the fans the same speed.
I power mine with a $5 variable voltage DC power supply from Harbor Freight Tools. It supplies DC voltage at 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, 9, or 12 volts all at the same 500 mA. During the winter I run the fans at 6 V and they aredead silent at about half speed. In the summer I run one at 7.5V and another at 9V and they are faster but still less than full speed and still dead silent. BTW the fans are Vantec Stealth 120mm fans rated at 53 CFM at 28 dBa so they are quiet to begin with even at full speed.
Both of your fans probably only need 50 mA to run. My Vantecs are 80 mA each.

 

[bkwudzjeep]

So either one would work....that's good news....

So the voltage will just determine how fast the fan will spin.....the mA is just the current.... So if I found a 9volt power supply, it would work, just not spin the fan as fast. Just making sure I'm getting this.

How do you adjust the voltage on the DC power supply...is it a switch?

Also, would I just cut the connector piece off and connect the wires? Is there a positive/negative on them? The wires are just black.

 

[AZDesertRat]

You are correct. It will run somewhere around 75% speed which in my case is about perfect. Cut the connector off the power supply and wire it to the red and black wires on the fans in most cases. Some fans have a yellow wire but that is for computers with temp sensors in them to turn the fans on and off or vary the speed. You may have to reverse the wires to get the correct rotation and some fans I have found do not run at all if wired backwards. I just touch the wires or twist them the first time to test rotation then use butt splice or crimp connectors and shrink tube for the permanent connection.
Variable voltage supplies have a small switch or dial on them to adjust voltage in most cases.

 

[Vincerama2]

I stand corrected.

V

 

[bkwudzjeep]

Thanks for the help!!