Travis L. Stevens
Active member
Can you take a PC Fan that plugs into the computer with pins and wire together an appropriate adapter or plug and have it run off of household 120v AC? If so, how?
Converting PC Fans to 120vAC?
- Thread starter Travis L. Stevens
- Start date
MJAnderson
Premium Member
Travis,
I've been saving this link for when I get my fans. Several options in here
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=932451
I've been saving this link for when I get my fans. Several options in here
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=932451
Travis L. Stevens
Active member
I figured someone around here would know how. Thanks, MJ
mcox33
New member
I bought an multivolt plug at harbour freight and wired it into fans from pc toys. they work great. just use two of the 4 wires and yes it does matter which 2 they should be side by side and be the first and second wires. if that don;t work turn it over and use the other 2 can't remember which colors were the right ones right now and can't get into the canopy to check right now. but it is very simple to do;
Travis L. Stevens
Active member
That's what MJAnderson linked to 
Thanks though, Mary.
Thanks though, Mary.BeanAnimal
Premium Member
ANy DC wal-wart from radio shack will work... or a spare cell phone, answering machine, calculator, or another other device that came with an ac adaptor.
Look at the output rating on the adaptor. You are concerned with the VOLTS and the AMPS that the output is rated at. The volts should match your fan and the current rating (A or mA) should be greater than the rating on your fan. In other words of your fan is rated at .5A then your adaptor should be at least .5A (500mA).
Bean
Look at the output rating on the adaptor. You are concerned with the VOLTS and the AMPS that the output is rated at. The volts should match your fan and the current rating (A or mA) should be greater than the rating on your fan. In other words of your fan is rated at .5A then your adaptor should be at least .5A (500mA).
Bean
Matrexz
New member
Bean is right you need a converter to do so. Most of your computer fans are rated at like 12 v dc. It's far cheaper to buy a universal converter from radio shack or online than to build a nice looking one with a case. If ya tried to use 120 v ac and wire it directly to the pc fan all you would do is let the magic smoke out of the fan motor.
