Powering computer fans....

la9

Well-Known Member
Hey guys.

This may be easy for some people, but I'm not good with electronics.

I need to power 2 of http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185054 those fans those fans to a regular house outlet.

I think I need some kind of 12V DC wall wart but am not sure. Will one power all three? I would also like to be able to control fan speed if possible.

Thank you so much!

Winner gets a doobie :joint:

Those fans burn 600ma a piece.

You will need a wall wart that does 2 amps.

or

buy three that do more than 600ma and hook a wall wart to each one.

Get a dc motor controller from a place that sells electronic kits if you can solder, that would be the best way to go.

The other option is to use an old computer power supply to run your fans.

Those are your options, where is my prize ?
 

dinkydigger

Well-Known Member
you can actually just use and old portable phone adapter...or any old adapter that is 12v...look around your house..you probably have one kicking around...it'll save you some $
 

la9

Well-Known Member
you can actually just use and old portable phone adapter...or any old adapter that is 12v...look around your house..you probably have one kicking around...it'll save you some $

Just check the rating because I doubt a phone adapter is going to be rated at 2 amps. You may find one for a single fan, I'd at least use an 800ma.
 

dinkydigger

Well-Known Member
Just check the rating because I doubt a phone adapter is going to be rated at 2 amps. You may find one for a single fan, I'd at least use an 800ma.

i wouldn't hook up more then one to a single adapter..it would probably burn it out..but hell if there is something kicking around..why not try it?..i'm just using an old adapter on my fan and it's been running non stop for 3 months now and i haven't had any problems
 

Mountainman86

Active Member
Thanks guys! No prize yet... Your suggestion requires too much on my part la9. :hump:

I was hoping to connect 2 fans to 12V DC 2A Regulated CCTV Power Supply that.

Would that be too much for the fans?

When wiring, would I do both negatives from the fans to the single negative on the adapter? And the same way for the positives?
If so do i have to split the negative from the adapter so it has 2 ends??

Sorry I'm a wiring noob
 

dinkydigger

Well-Known Member
that would work...and yes you would just wire them the same as if you were wiring one, but i would probably hook the fans together and then just have one going to the adapter..and i'm pretty sure that the negative wire is bare and frayed on that type of cord..so you can't really split it
 

la9

Well-Known Member
Thanks guys! No prize yet... Your suggestion requires too much on my part la9. :hump:

I was hoping to connect 2 fans to 12V DC 2A Regulated CCTV Power Supply that.

Would that be too much for the fans?

When wiring, would I do both negatives from the fans to the single negative on the adapter? And the same way for the positives?
If so do i have to split the negative from the adapter so it has 2 ends??

Sorry I'm a wiring noob

You better post the rules on this contest because I'm calling BULLSHIT on it !!!

When it comes to powering your fans you don't have to worry about too much current, you actually need extra or it will blow your transformer.

Anyway you have put together a good plan that will work, what do you think about that ?

I would buy the wall wart you mentioned, cut the tip off(DC End) and just wire nut them together as you mentioned, all the positive ends together and all the negative ends(or ground, I know someone will jump in to point out I don't know what I'm talking about) together.

I'll try to explain a little more, you have th 12vdc from the transformer, take the three red or positive wires from the fans and wire nut all 4 wires together and then do the same with the black.

Understand ? If not ask some more questions.
 

dinkydigger

Well-Known Member
You better post the rules on this contest because I'm calling BULLSHIT on it !!!

When it comes to powering your fans you don't have to worry about too much current, you actually need extra or it will blow your transformer.

Anyway you have put together a good plan that will work, what do you think about that ?

I would buy the wall wart you mentioned, cut the tip off(DC End) and just wire nut them together as you mentioned, all the positive ends together and all the negative ends(or ground, I know someone will jump in to point out I don't know what I'm talking about) together.

I'll try to explain a little more, you have th 12vdc from the transformer, take the three red or positive wires from the fans and wire nut all 4 wires together and then do the same with the black.

Understand ? If not ask some more questions.


haha..i think the only contest here right now is a pissing contest and i'm not getting involved...all i'm saying is that you don't have to everything so fancy..if you don't have the stuff on hand to do it all by the book then work with what you have...i ripped a fan out of an old pc and it's wired to a 12v adapter...and once again..it's still running fine..i was just giving simple advice...join a union and settle down..haha
 

la9

Well-Known Member
haha..i think the only contest here right now is a pissing contest and i'm not getting involved...all i'm saying is that you don't have to everything so fancy..if you don't have the stuff on hand to do it all by the book then work with what you have...i ripped a fan out of an old pc and it's wired to a 12v adapter...and once again..it's still running fine..i was just giving simple advice...join a union and settle down..haha
What are you talking about a pissing contest ? I think you better lay off the weed, it's done eroded your brain.
 

Mountainman86

Active Member
Alright, I'm going to check out Radio Shack but if it's not cheaper I'll order the one I just posted.

To lay it out:
So take both negatives (blacks) and twist them together. Then take both positives (reds) from the fans and twist them together. Then, using wire nuts, connect the twisted reds to the red from the adapter and the blacks to the black. Correct?

The fans also have a yellow wire. Are these for fan speed control?

Thanks guys

la9: Thanks for the advice. What's your mailing address. I'll mail the :joint:.
 

la9

Well-Known Member
The infamous yellow wire. It is used for the computer motherboard to monitor the RPM's of the fan. Do not connect.

You shouldn't have any problems wiring it if you do as you have written.

Acarapi Angelo
P.O. Box 4530​
Calle Nueve No. 104 Obrajes
La Paz - Bolivia​
 

la9

Well-Known Member
Or you could buy a fan that already has the speed control built in

Newegg.com - Thermaltake A2018 120mm Blue LED Case Fan - Case Fans

Or you could have bought a portable fan like this one and it would have speed control built in and moved more air than the computer fans.

O2-Cool 10" Indoor/Outdoor Fan : Target


Just all kinds of options when it comes to fans and I can help you wire up anything you would like, just let me know.

You also have bathroom fans, I wonder about trying a battery operated fan and running it with a solar cell underneath the grow lights.

Too many options when it comes to fans.
 

rkm

Well-Known Member
A laptop power supply works just fine. Just make sure it does not have a recall on it.
 
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