Safely install fans

Hi guys. Im about to attempt a stealth grow box from an old guitar amp. Wondering how i safely install pc fans ( 1 for intake and one for exhaust). Every person i see online seem to just cut the end off of a random power lead and attach them, this seems like a big fire hazard. Can someone explain how i can attach two fans to power leads (1 power lead for both preferably) safely i.e. Voltage etc. I haven't done electronics since school and don't fancy asking my electrician mates to help.

thanks

For a power source you can use an old cell phone charger or something similar. The amount of voltage and amperage is low enough that you would not cause a fire. Just make sure to cover the connections so they don't short out and stop the fans from running. Typically one of the wires from the charger will have a white stripe on it, that would be the equivalent of the +/ hot wire. If you connect it up and the fans don't run, swap the wires to the correct the polarity.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need more info.


Edit: I have the feeling you are down under! I think you guys run higher voltage than the US. Do you have the specs for the fans and power supply handy?

try using wire nuts to connect the cord to the fan. you can use crimp connectors and heat shrink tubing for a more professional job.
make sure the fan is DC if using a DC converter and make sure the voltages match up. if its DC it's most likely 12 V
there's also AC computer fans.. not sure if these run off of 120v or 24v... just look at the fan and then match the voltage and the current type, then do as said above

if you're in europe and have a different plug, i'm sure all that matters is the OUTPUT of the ac adapter matches the input requirements of the fan. from here you just need to not electrocute yourself. It's not that hard you just have to be about 10% smarter than what you're working on (my teacher always said)

The best way to safely power a PC fan is using a PC power supply. There's no wiring, just plug it in. The power supply will run a dozen fans if you need it to, and they all just double-plug together.

PC Power Supplies are around $20, and will power 450-700W of 12v anything, regulated too so there's no risk of a crappy wall adapter overheating or anything like that.

Plug em into the wall, plug the fan(s) into the 12v plugs, and you're golden.

great to know man now i will rob those out of old computers!

Yeah they'll work as well as new ones. Especially for a couple 4W fans. The supplies don't even have to break a sweat running half a dozen fans, and with the built-in fsn inside the power supply, they barely ever make it to "warm".

Thanks guys. Im from the U.K.. We use three pin style plugs.

These are the fans I'm gonna use.

Thanks

http://www.quietpc.com/na-ds-60