3 wire PC fan to outlet?

LimitedTimer

Active Member
Can anyone explain to me how to hook up my 3 computer fans to a regular outlet(a cellphone charger i hear works?)

each fan has 3 wires and plan to wire all to one outlet cord. any help would be great thank you
 

Trunk5

Well-Known Member
yes you need the cell charger because it puts out 12 volts thats what the black box does on it, converts 120vac to 12vdc. the yellow wire is for 5 volts so you wont use that one the red wire is power for 12 volt and the black is ground.
 

graand47

Member
this is going to be helpful! does any cell charger work for this. i know i have some different looking cell chargers.
 

DJ GreenThumb

Active Member
You should use a 12 volt AC to DC transformer (aka cell charger) if you use one that is less than that the fan will run much slower and in turn be less efficient and move alot less air.
 

NewbGrower^.^

Active Member
I have used pretty much all wall adapters for pc fan power supplies. Even if the volts are slightly under the fan will turn well enough with the proper amps.
 

fabfun

New Member
most cell chargers are 5.5 volts get a 12 v charger or they like someone else said will turn slower
 

Youngling

Active Member
Anyone have a specific model of phone they know uses a 12v dc converter? Current so it's easy to find one. Thanks.
 

graand47

Member
alright i got a crappy Motorola phone charger
i dont think its a 12 v but im not sure
specs: input:ac90-260v-50hz/60hz
output: dc5.3V+5%
 

mrboots

Well-Known Member
Yes. That is a 5.3 v charger. If you have a Fry's electronics in your town they sell a 12 volt 1.0 amp ac to dc converter for about $8. They sell them at radio shak too, but they are like $25.
 

graand47

Member
yea im too cheapp lmao i got random chargers all around my house, i found a 12v one already
its reads:ac-dc adapter
input:ac 120v 60hz 6w
output:dc 12v 200mA
i just need to find a second one now
 

mrboots

Well-Known Member
yea im too cheapp lmao i got random chargers all around my house, i found a 12v one already
its reads:ac-dc adapter
input:ac 120v 60hz 6w
output:dc 12v 200mA
i just need to find a second one now
how many fans are you trying to run? you can run more than one off the same charger.
 

graand47

Member
really? im going to run an intake and an outtake...so two. how would i run it off the same charger and would this make them less powerful.?
 

mrboots

Well-Known Member
You can look at your fans, or the box they came in and it will say how much power they use, usually written in milliamps (mA). Your charger puts out 200 mA, so You can use however many fans it takes to reach that number without affecting their power.
 
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