Wiring a computer fan

Does anybody know of (or have) a tutorial on how to wire a computer fan?

Thanks.

generally it's wired to your mother board unless you have an alternate source to power it. usually it's a white port on the mother board labeled j16 I think... but check google.. it also helps if you know what kind of mother board you have.. hope this helped a little bit

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Originally Posted by SamuraiZr0

generally it's wired to your mother board unless you have an alternate source to power it. usually it's a white port on the mother board labeled j16 I think... but check google.. it also helps if you know what kind of mother board you have.. hope this helped a little bit

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lol i dont think hes talking about putting it in a computer or is he:rolleye2:

you need a transformer that is rated just under or equal to what the computer fan is rated at(both voltage(most case fans are 12 volt) and amperage) from that point its only 2 wires to solder and heat shrink tube or tape it. (some fans have 3 wires which are smart fans typically run at varible speeds)

You can get (or order) from radio shack a fan of that size that you can direct wire for about $30. Better solution in the long run.

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Originally Posted by AjBalls

Does anybody know of (or have) a tutorial on how to wire a computer fan?

Thanks.

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Here you go http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...=729305#729305

i got lucky and found an electrical supply store that sells pre wired fans of every shape size and color.

for those of you looking for fans that are ready to plug into the wall. the place i got mine is from electronic service supply the number is 318 443 8483. i checked today and they do ship.

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Originally Posted by Damon Theis

You can get (or order) from radio shack a fan of that size that you can direct wire for about $30. Better solution in the long run.

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This is what I did. Went to Radio Shack and got a 4" fan(metal) for about $20 and wired it to a regular extension cord. Plugged it in and it works like it should. Doesn't overheat or anything.

direct power from extension cord will over work the Fan. you need something controlling the output voltage. which is why you need to wire it with either a laod resistor or wit hthe phone charger way. and 20$ for a fan is ridiculous. 80mm fans are as cheap as 2.50 no need for anything shiny or with neons unless you need light inside the bator.

I build computers for a living and well i have hundreds of fans i bought in bulk from newegg.com

Sorry, but in my experience, none of the fans I have wired up directly to an extension cord and plugged into the wall have overheated. They run for months(4+) continuously and do not overheat.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2102823

This is the one I got. Works fine. The 3" got too hot for the incubator, however the 4" works perfectly.

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...

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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

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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 ;)

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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.

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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.

Now I get it... Thanks Jeff. I also blew up an auto test light in my face trying to use it on house wiring before... That would be the same reason I guess. These days I have an electrician on file... :rolleye2:

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Originally Posted by Damon Theis

Now I get it... Thanks Jeff. I also blew up an auto test light in my face trying to use it on house wiring before... That would be the same reason I guess. These days I have an electrician on file... :rolleye2:

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that sounds like a good idea. however your fully capable of learning if you dedicate some time to the subject. every one can learn.

wow tho i am impressed that you came out of that situation with out a disaster. 115VAC isnt a hole lot comparative to other sources but its still not a joke.

Lol I've zapped myself with 115VAC a few times, not a fun experience. Your heart will be racing for a few minutes afterwards. Hopefully this thread will educate anyone wanting to make a simple fan for their incubator setups.

This is why I'm looking into boas though, no incubating, no cutting, no moldy eggs etc... Just one pissed off 9ft snake for a few months lol. That is if I ever do decide I want to breed. I hope I can.

I have 2 100 count cases of 92mm fans for computers, I will just wire them to adjustable power supply.