PC fans

[hiimsean]

I'm looking into PC fans for my canopy/stand. All the ones I see have the 3pin connector. I'm been searching for some sort of adapter to plug them into a socket but I'm not having luck. Or do you just wire them to a regular plug?

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Sean, I've got 3 brand new 80mm fans over here if you need them. These also have wire connectors on them but you just cut them off and wire direct. They are made so you can wire them in series so you only have to deal with one plug. $20 for all 3.

 

[glxtrix]

I bought some 120mm AC fans at radio shack several years back. They are a "tad" loud, but move A LOT of air. I have 2 wired into a regular wall plug.

 

[chris s]

The 3 pin connector on pc fans is for 12vdc power from the computers power supply. You CAN NOT just wire these up to a regular plug.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Chris S;905227 wrote: The 3 pin connector on pc fans is for 12vdc power from the computers power supply. You CAN NOT just wire these up to a regular plug.

That is correct, you have to make sure the voltage is correct. The ones I mentioned above are 12vdc and would require the adapter. I've got a couple of AC fans somewhere. If you need AC, then I'll go look for them.

 

[hiimsean]

lol I guess I just know nothing about electrical stuff lol I guess I'm kind of looking for an adapter than. Can you have a single adapter power multiple fans?

I found this on Amazon, is that about as cheap of a route I can go, besides a basic clip on fan?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MGG6SC/ref=s9_simh_gw_p147_d0_i4?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0QNK3KCG3DEE4HR634W0&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1630072222&pf_rd_i=507846">Amazon.com : Coolerguys 100-240v AC to 12 & 5v DC 4pin Molex 2A Power Adapter : Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Wg4Jh1iQL.@@AMEPARAM@@41Wg4Jh1iQL</a>
[IMG]http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-ZM-MC1-Multi-connector-Add-Fan/dp/B000FAKUE6/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_z">Amazon.com : Zalman ZM-MC1 Multi-connector PS to Add Fan : Desktop Computer Internal Power Supplies : Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31JpRE4RV9L.@@AMEPARAM@@31JpRE4RV9L</a>
[IMG]http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-120mm-Silent-Value/dp/B000O8I474/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_y">Amazon.com: Cooler Master 120mm Silent Case Fan 4-in-1 Value Pack - (R4-S2S-124K-GP): Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412kkKnl%2BwL.@@AMEPARAM@@412kkKnl%2BwL</a>


I was planning on doing 2 inside my cabinet and 2 in the canopy. I prolly wont need it until summer if I need it at all. Just a little worried since we don't crank the AC during the summer and can get warm in the house (80F) I'm not sure how the tank will do.

 

[glxtrix]

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102825">http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102825</a>

Those are the ones I have. I pretty much have them running 24/7 and have been for the past 5-6 years without any issues. I would think a quality AC fan would be better than a smaller DC....but I could just be saying some garbage, lol.

 

[giulianom]

Get that power adapter brick, and one of these distribution boards:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14664/ele-990/4-Pin_Power_Distribution_PCB_5xWay_Block_MMT-PCB-4-53.html?tl=g34c17#blank">http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14664/ele-990/4-Pin_Power_Distribution_PCB_5xWay_Block_MMT-PCB-4-53.html?tl=g34c17#blank</a>


The wires on PC fans are usually fairly short - if you want to have fans on the canopy and in the stand, you might need extension cables:

[IMG]http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l3/g2/c251/s637/list/p1/Cables-Fan_Cables-Fan_Cable_Extensions-Page1.html">http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l3/g2/c251/s637/list/p1/Cables-Fan_Cables-Fan_Cable_Extensions-Page1.html</a>

The 90cm ones are about 3 feet long.

 

[cbry77]

Sean,

This is the one that I bought. It is great and all that you need.

 

[enderg60]

just snip and twist and tape the wires to a 12v dc power supply.

I would recommend you look into the ones with a thermistor in them that control the speed based on the temp.

I used them in the canopy of my old 58g and they were great.

 

[jdavid]

I've done it with old cell phone chargers. Everybody has them.

 

[brandonmason]

I've got three already set up with power supply that I mean on my 110 when it had halides if you want to come pick it up.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

 

[jdw]

Sean that's a great idea, I have been thinking about the same thing. Glad you asked. I didn't even think about the old cellphone chargers either. Excellent thread


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[jbdreefs]

Arent most cell phone chargers nowadays 5v?

 

[giulianom]

JBDreefs;908448 wrote: Arent most cell phone chargers nowadays 5v?

USB-based ones are 5V, with anywhere from 400mA to 1000mA (1A) of current.


Usually not enough power/current to start a 12V fan, and if you did manually spin them up they might run... very slowly.

 

[jdw]

Don't know, never really looked before.


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[mrflameangel]

Here is what I use for my computer fan. It's from Walmart and I can change the speed. Now of course it's connected to an apex now. But works great for any computer fan.

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[reefkeeper]

HiImSean;905203 wrote: I'm looking into PC fans for my canopy/stand. All the ones I see have the 3pin connector. I'm been searching for some sort of adapter to plug them into a socket but I'm not having luck. Or do you just wire them to a regular plug?

Are they DC fans? if so, you'll only use two wires. You'll need a Fan Adapter which can be purchased online, Micro Center or Fry Electronics. You can connect the Fans in series, all you need to do if verify the max amps on the total number of fans and make sure you don't exceed the adapter total amps. You can find the numbers on the fans and Adapter.