Wiring a computer fan

those same fans from actual name brands like coolmaster,antec and so on are only 5$ on newegg sometimes free shipping. or go to computer expos and get them even cheaper. if i had to pay 20 per fan for a computer build id be broke on fans.

and a 4" fan is actually based off mm which is 120mm fan

here ya go Have fun ordering.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...40%20-%20%2410

when i built mine i had an old computer in the basement so i robbed a fan... got a low voltage transformer from radioshack for like $10 and now i have a nice gently turning fan... just enough for the ol' cooker.

all you have to do is cut the one end off it and direct wire to your fan.

I know there are people who have computer fans direct wired into the wall and they've worked fine. This does not change the fact that it is a HUGE fire hazard and an accident just waiting to happen. I'd really hate for someone to lose their clutches(or house) because they didn't wire their electrical properly. If you have an old cell phone charger(or any sort of wall charger) hanging around you likely have a transformer that will work for you and you won't have to spend ANY money other than on the fan itself. Also, you guys spending $20+ on a fan are nuts. You are throwing your hard earned money down the toilet.

For example:

This 120mm(appx 4") fan is $4(80mm fans go for $1 on that site and work fine if you need smaller) and will be big enough for most incubators.

Its power draw is:

Operation Voltage: 6.0~13.8 VDC
Rated Current : 0.16 A

Plugging it directly into a 120 VAC source is GOING to eventually burn it up or short something out. Using a phone charger you have lying around is free, safe, and effective PROVIDED the charger is within the limits of the fan. You can check on the charger itself what it is rated at. If it still isn't right it is very simple to wire in some resistors or whatever you need to make it right.

Seriously, don't risk an electrical fire to save a few minutes on something so simple...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ScottyDsntKnow

I know there are people who have computer fans direct wired into the wall and they've worked fine.

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My personal experience is not the case.

99% of case fans are 12V. any house hold D/C adaptor that puts out 12v would work. there amperage is so dead low usually its not close to being an issue. most common fans range from .06-.05 Amps (60-70 milliamps) and use about .8w

Im a PC Tech, i jerry right computer fans for everything. its simple.

an easy equation for current (amperage) conversion to watts or voltage if you ever find your self needing it is Current = Voltage x wattage

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JeffJ

99% of case fans are 12V. any house hold D/C adaptor that puts out 12v would work. there amperage is so dead low usually its not close to being an issue. most common fans range from .06-.05 Amps (60-70 milliamps) and use about .8w

Im a PC Tech, i jerry right computer fans for everything. its simple.

an easy equation for current (amperage) conversion to watts or voltage if you ever find your self needing it is Current = Voltage x wattage

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Isn't that the point though? If you are putting a DC adapter on it - It is NOT a direct wire. Maybe i'm missing something, i'm no electrician, but I've tried to direct wire pc fans and they explode.

This one I believe is the one I'm using. It's 120VAC. I wired it directly to the wall and it doesn't even get hot. Ran for a few months nonstop in the incubator.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...&tab=techSpecs

And yes, I did spend $20 on it because well, I didn't know about newegg ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Damon Theis

Isn't that the point though? If you are putting a DC adapter on it - It is NOT a direct wire. Maybe i'm missing something, i'm no electrician, but I've tried to direct wire pc fans and they explode.

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ummmm they do not explode if your not putting C4 on them lol thats for sure.

and YES it is a direct wire if its a 12v DC adapter.

I was in Canada last year and the power seemed the same to me... :)
Isn't an adapter reducing the amps to a specific level for the sake of component protection?
The times I have tried to take a regular power cord and plug it into a pc fan, the fan has fried immediately.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Damon Theis

I was in Canada last year and the power seemed the same to me... :)
Isn't an adapter reducing the amps to a specific level for the sake of component protection?
The times I have tried to take a regular power cord and plug it into a pc fan, the fan has fried immediately.

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well dude, you putting 115VAC into a 12VDC fan

a wall outlet is not 12VDC

thats why you need a 12VDC power adapter.

you're lucky you did not hurt your self or burn down your house. consider your self extremely lucky!

i will take pictures of a simple 12VDC adapter i have wired up to run 12v PC fans and lights when i get home.