How to wire up a PC Fan?

[chocolateblnt]

I need to know how to correctly wire up a nice computer fan to work with a wall outlet ... thanks reefers!

Is there a way to safely wire up multiple fans to one socket?

 

[Zaphod]

use a cell phone charger. if it doesn't work reverse the wires.

 

[natureboy]

You probably have a 12v pc fan. Get a 12v dc transformer from radio shack, garage sales or Goodwill. If the fan has more than two wires, ignore all wires but the red and black ones. Just connect the red to one of the transformer wires and the black to the other. Reverse if the fan doesn't spin.

If you want mutliple fans, just connect several red wires to one transformer wire, and several black wires to the other transformer wire.

 

[louist]

The safest way is this:

1. look at your fan's motor and see what amp it requires. The 80mm fans usually need around 100-150mA.
2. Go to a electronics shop like RadioShack and purchase a "regulated power pack" that has a amp output >= your fan. The close it is to your fan's need, the cheaper it will be and the cooler it will run. IF you already have a UNregulated power pack, and you wish to wire that, then it needs to have voltage output > than the fan's requirement. Then solder a regulator into there to run the fan.

The matching of the amp output doesn't have to be spot on. If the PSU outputs more, you fan just spins faster. However, if it outputs too much, then it will just melt the fine wire coil within the motor.

 

[fijiblue]

Walmart has converters for $8. I hooked a 100mah to a 60mm computer fan to it (only red/black - ignore the yellow) for a year and ran fine. Then I hooked up 2 titanium 80mm fans and have been running nice for the past 4 months. The nice thing about the converter is that you can manually switch the speed up or down depending on your needs.

 

[chocolateblnt]

Thanks guys!

 

[chocolateblnt]

Anyone have any pics/links of these converters/ transformers/ adapters?!

How many mA's do I need to safely run 2 fans?

 

[louist]

From an Australian context:
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productVie...&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=521

You will find the equivalent in the States just as easily. Go for a regulated version, less things to worry about. Just splice the wires and connect, or use a connector strip.

 

[chocolateblnt]

Thanks louis I found one at radio shack and will pick it up tomm. along with 2 80mm fans ... in your PM what do you mean by wiring them parallel?

 

[Carl_in_Florida]

I hooked one up last night with a cell phon charger. I got a fan from circuit city for $7. Couldn't find anything inexpensive at RS

CArl