PC Fans for free!

I see a lot of RIU members paying cold hard cash for PC Fans to cool their smal grow cabs.

Here's a little tip for all the members that aren't in the know: If you visit your local Computer repair shop/store and ask nicely, the shop/store will happily give you dead PSU's (Power Supply Unit) for free, which more often than not have 120mm fans in them (just be careful opening a PSU it can be dangerous. I have received some really nice Yate Loon fans with this method.

Another good place to find free fans is skips/dumpsters outside of schools, libraries, and office buildings. When they replace their PC's they often throw out the old towers.

I do a bit of PC repair/upgrading on the side and I have a fucking box full of fans that are going to come in handy for my new hobby.

Sorry if this has been posted before, just thought it might have been of some help to someone.

Happy hunting.

For nearly free, used computer stores have piles of them laying around.

FIRST POST!!

I've been reading a whole lot and have a very cheap pvc framed grow space. 4'Lx3'Wx6'H. I had a 150cfm from my veg cab but it sucks the panda film in... Think its way too strong.

Been goin to all kinda stores looking for one... Except the obvious of course. Good lookin

GanjaT said:

FIRST POST!!

I've been reading a whole lot and have a very cheap pvc framed grow space. 4'Lx3'Wx6'H. I had a 150cfm from my veg cab but it sucks the panda film in... Think its way too strong.

Been goin to all kinda stores looking for one... Except the obvious of course. Good lookin

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Sounds like you might want a few 120mm fans. You could also experiment with different voltage phone chargers to get the speed and airflow you require.

Cheap Basterd said:

Sounds like you might want a few 120mm fans. You could also experiment with different voltage phone chargers to get the speed and airflow you require.

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Also you could get an adjustable power converter or rig up a dimmer switch or something to get the right airflow you want.

brownbearclan said:

Also you could get an adjustable power converter or rig up a dimmer switch or something to get the right airflow you want.

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Very good idea. Thanks for contributing.

Also with a bit of tinkering you could use a cheap PC Fan Controller to adjust multiple fans.

Something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811998808&cm_re=fan_controller-_-11-998-808-_-Product

I've seen them much cheaper though. And ones that control up to 6 fans independently

Thanks for the help guys.Much appreciated

GanjaT said:

Thanks for the help guys.Much appreciated

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Any time GanjaT, I'm no expert. I have a little knowledge though.

Are you planning a grow anytime soon?

Cheap Basterd said:

Any time GanjaT, I'm no expert. I have a little knowledge though.

Are you planning a grow anytime soon?

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Im actually on my 1st grow rite now.. Most of the time ill throw any seeds i find in a jar and recently decided to try n germ a few. 3/3 germed n i had em under cfl's for a while though i had a 400 watt hps... 1st attempt at growing anything wanted to see how long i could keep em up n gain some first hand experience(been reading a whole lot past 3 or so mos.)... Theyre doin quite well if i must say so myself. Now under the hps growing visibly what seems like hourly....... Ill try n get some pics up today if u wanna check em out. I put em in FFOF but am a COCO grower

GanjaT said:

Im actually on my 1st grow rite now.. Most of the time ill throw any seeds i find in a jar and recently decided to try n germ a few. 3/3 germed n i had em under cfl's for a while though i had a 400 watt hps... 1st attempt at growing anything wanted to see how long i could keep em up n gain some first hand experience(been reading a whole lot past 3 or so mos.)... Theyre doin quite well if i must say so myself. Now under the hps growing visibly what seems like hourly....... Ill try n get some pics up today if u wanna check em out. I put em in FFOF but am a COCO grower

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If you can get some pics up man I'd like to see how your plants are doing.

I've read a lot too, almost to the point of giving up on the idea of doing a grow. So now I'm just going to jump in and learn by doing rather than reading.

Hey,

In regards to fans and speed controllers. If you can find Antec Tri Cool fans for cheap, they have a small three step speed control switch on the fan itself. Very handy! They are pretty pricey. If you know any PC builder geeks they might help you out since they usually upgrade from these fans that come with Antec cases for something more bling.

It never occurred to me to simplay ask for fans. lol I will try this as I'm throwing together a little bigger flowering box.

SinSimian said:

It never occurred to me to simplay ask for fans. lol I will try this as I'm throwing together a little bigger flowering box.

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You can buy really cheap ones that are ok. Ideally look for something with ball bearings. And a little drop of silicon based oil helps them so much.

If you have any friends that are PC Geeks, ask if they have any going spare. PC enthusiasts are always upgrading to try and get better airflow, cooler temps and a quieter PC.

Good luck

Went Dumpster Diving lastnight (call me a Hobo if you want. You wouldn't believe the shit I find) Pulled various fans from cases in a PC repair stores dumpster. I calculate at least £30 worth of fans, a few PSU's, some RAM and some other random bits and pieces.

Successful night!