What's the FINAL ANSWER on how to power a computer fan???

daveroller

daveroller

Well-Known Member
Hey, I've read through a lot of threads on this topic, but haven't found a good answer:
==> What's the cheapest and best way to power a PC fan from an AC outlet?
I've heard that cell phone chargers work, but other people say that they aren't the right voltage. (The fan is 12 volts and I've heard that the chargers only put out about 3-4 volts.)

I haven't found any other chargers around the house that are 12v.

Someone else said to buy an AC/DC converter from Radio Shack, but I couldn't find anything for under $25 there.

What about a 12v laptop charger? I saw one for less than $10 on Amazon:
____36W Laptop Notebook AC Adapter Charger Power Supply for ASUS Eee ...

But it puts out 3 amps. Is this too much current for a computer fan? What if I connect a few other PC fans on the same circuit? Pardon me if this is a half-baked idea. I'm NOT an electronics expert by any means.
 
karr

karr

Well-Known Member
Go to your largest thrift store. One here sells power adapters for 1$ each in all voltages. I picked ones from 5-12v at different amps. Remember that amps are relative to the voltage, so the lower the voltage the higher amps you will need.

I settled with a 9v 500mah adapter. Cut off the plug and wired it to the red and black comp wires. Runs with great airflow and has almost zero sound. Pulls negative pressure through a medium sized stealth cab.
 
daveroller

daveroller

Well-Known Member
karr said:
Go to your largest thrift store. One here sells power adapters for 1$ each in all voltages. I picked ones from 5-12v at different amps. Remember that amps are relative to the voltage, so the lower the voltage the higher amps you will need.

I settled with a 9v 500mah adapter. Cut off the plug and wired it to the red and black comp wires. Runs with great airflow and has almost zero sound. Pulls negative pressure through a medium sized stealth cab.
Click to expand...
Thanks, karr. The thrift store idea is a good one. Not sure if we have anything better than Goodwill in my little town, but I'll check there.
 
H

hic

Well-Known Member
I use a cordless drill battery. works when you need a couple camping fans. lasts for awhile too.
 
daveroller

daveroller

Well-Known Member
ablazed blunt said:
I would suggest this computer power supply at $11.99. http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=GENMAX-400ATXPS&cat=PWR
Click to expand...
That's a very good deal on a PC power supply. But I've read some posts saying that using computer PSU's will raise up your electric bill higher than necessary. This thread here:

12v computer fan help. +rep

contains a debate between 2 electronics geeks (I mean that in a good way) about using a computer PSU vs. a cell phone charger. Although the 2 guys who took over that thread gave reasons why both of those options aren't ideal, I don't think their debate ever ended with a clear solution, so that's why I started this thread. You can get a 12 volt AC/DC adapter that will work pretty cheap, either at a flea market or on eBay. I posted a link above for one that's only $2.50.
 
imagreenwitya

imagreenwitya

Well-Known Member
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280526860051&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

I use these, 5$ shipped, needs a 1$ (from the dollar store) 3pin computer cord

or 2$ shipped on ebay


http://cgi.ebay.com/AC-Power-Cord-Adapter-Cable-Computer-Monitor-PC-Desktop-/190462057065?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c586c5a69



total cost 6 or 7 bucks, IMO these are better than phone chargers as they run higher amps and can power multiple fans, not to mention it has the 5v rail so you can undervolt fans for sound/speed if needed. .
 
daveroller

daveroller

Well-Known Member
imagreenwitya said:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280526860051&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

I use these, 5$ shipped, needs a 1$ (from the dollar store) 3pin computer cord

or 2$ shipped on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/AC-Power-Cord-Adapter-Cable-Computer-Monitor-PC-Desktop-/190462057065?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c586c5a69


total cost 6 or 7 bucks, IMO these are better than phone chargers as they run higher amps and can power multiple fans, not to mention it has the 5v rail so you can undervolt fans for sound/speed if needed. .
Click to expand...
BEAUTIFUL!!! That's the BEST idea that I've read so far! If you have the right connectors, you don't even need to tear open the cord to expose the bare wires. The funny thing is that I probably have one of these sitting around that I use to power disk drives. I just forgot about it.

THANK YOU for posting this info! You win for the best idea. ;-)
 
imagreenwitya

imagreenwitya

Well-Known Member
daveroller said:
BEAUTIFUL!!! That's the BEST idea that I've read so far! If you have the right connectors, you don't even need to tear open the cord to expose the bare wires. The funny thing is that I probably have one of these sitting around that I use to power disk drives. I just forgot about it.

THANK YOU for posting this info! You win for the best idea. ;-)
Click to expand...
Aww shucks :) Just doin what I can.
 
daveroller

daveroller

Well-Known Member
I also found these connectors on eBay that you can use to connect additional fans to the power cord:

. New Computer 3 pin To 4 pin 3pin-4pin fan Power cable

Use one for each additional fan to daisy-chain them together.

Update: I just discovered that my computer fans already have these connectors included in their packaging. I recently bought them new. So you might not need to buy these connectors if you're buying new computer fans.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top