How Should I power computer cooling fans

[scaryperson27]

I bought 7 computer fans for cooling my tank. I want to power them all from one power source if I can. How do you suggest I go about this?

 

[simon.007]

Use a computer power supply. New one maybe as cheap as $25 but old ones maybe as little as $5 in swapmeets Good luck

Simon

 

[stugray]

They probably run on 12VDC and have a current rating on a sticker on them.

Add up the current 7Xcurrent = total.

As long as your 12VDC supply can deliver that, put them all in parallel & youre good.

Stu

 

[RedEDGE2k1]

Example, if each 12v DC cooling fan is labeled "300mA" and you want to connect 7 of them together, the total draw would be 7*300=2100mA.

All you'd need is a 12v DC adapter that is rated at 2100mA, or buy a standard one from RadioShack that is adjustable.

 

[Altpers0na]

if you can find an old AT power supply, that will be best..

the AT type have a power switch on them.

the ATX have to be helped abit. you have to add the switch.. not hard, but AT's already have the switch and if you can find one, it should be cheaper... like free maybe..

you could also look for a 12v wall transformer but thats going to be much more work and more expensive....

 

[Altpers0na]

the 12v power supply from radio shack is about 75 bucks the last time i priced it..

old pc power supply, not a new one.. it should take under 30 minutes to find an old pc power supply... between your address book and the yellow pages.. its there... somewhere...

 

[cdness]

PC power supplies leave more room for failure with the salt issues and wet area. Go to Radio Shack and find the extremely large 12V wall wort 12V power supply. They aren't that expensive and will easily run the fans you have.

Otherwise look for old cell phone chargers and other adapters you have around the house. One of them might work.

 

[scaryperson27]

I just want to wire it together and plug it into the outlet.

 

[RedEDGE2k1]

You can do that, but you'll have to wire the fans to a 12v DC adapter. You can't run 12v DC fans on 120v AC house current without an adapter.

 

[Frank AZ]

I would get two of these: run 4 fans on one, 3 on the other.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...2vdc&kw=power+adapter+12vdc&parentPage=search

You could also get one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Sunforce-55520-AC-power-converter/dp/B000FIY08U/ref=pd_sim_dbs_sg_3

There power coverters for the car-fridge's so you can use them at home.

 

[quikenuff]

Here is what you need.
http://www.coolerguys.com/840556029977.html

I just added 10 PC fans to my canopy. it's a 6ft tank.

Good price for fans that move air and are pretty quiet. been using them for more than 8 months and still running strong.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835104003

quik

 

[scaryperson27]

I already got the fans. They are 120mm. That powersupply however, looks pretty good.

 

[ihopss]

It is 1.4 A and is runing 4 fans.

 

[scaryperson27]

at full blast?

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13181006#post13181006 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scaryperson27
at full blast?

i would have to say so...the inverter is a 15VDC @1.4A

if you want to run them at lower speeds you would have to find wall warts rated for 9voltsDC or 6VDC Etc...

the one he has at 15VDC i would like is over driving the fans...LOL

 

[Harry_Fish]

The fans are proabbly pulling about 125 ma each so 125 x 7 = 875 ma (1000ma = 1 amp)

So something alone the line of a 2 amp supply would be good as it will run cooler

 

[drewber]

actully computer fans run on 5v.. at 15v id expect them to get wobbly/noisy pretty fast since your spinning them about 3x as fast as they should be going..

 

[cpeisher]

i am SOOOO glad you posted this...my upcoming 90 build is coming together slowly on paper, but keeping it cool is my number one concern. For that price i could buy two power supplies and run nearly 20 of these if i needed to for under $50. that beats the heck out of the price of a chiller...

 

[scaryperson27]

no kidden. I'm getting rid of my chiller.

One of my main reasons for posting this, is so people can use this as a valuable resource.

 

[cdness]

Drewber "actully computer fans run on 5v"

Not exactly... some do run on 5V just to slow themselves down. Typically they are rated for 12V.

scaryperson27 "I just want to wire it together and plug it into the outlet."

Then why not make your life easier and just use a walmart clip on fan for the sump. That wires right into a normal outlet...Work smarter not harder... You can always use the fans to cool the canopy (assuming you'll have one) with a transformer and a couple fans.

FYI - Walmart is clearancing their fans right now (at least they are in Fargo) so you may be able to get a good price on them...