wiring PC cooling fans

[Caesar Gdi]

I am thinking about using a Nokia cell phone power adapter to power my PC fans in my hood. The adapter output is 3.7 VDC. How many fans do you think I can wire to this adaptor. I would like to wire all four but could live with two per adapter.

[Loverotties]

Depends what the fans specs are!

[wharyat]

Agreed with rotties.

Off hand, unless they are specialty fans, you will need to find a 12 volt power supply/adapter. The fans should be marked with an amperage rating, so you will need a power supply that can deliver more amps than the fan(s) can take. I assume they are 80mm fans (basic size)? They will usually pull around .2 amps (200 miliamps) so you will need to find a 12 volts DC @ a minimum of 800 mA.

If the fan is larger or pulls more amps make sure to find a bigger or more power supplies.

Also, wired in a series will be the best.

[Caesar Gdi]

thanks guys.... I guess I will have to do some more research.

[jesspaul]

Also, wired in a series will be the best.

parallel you mean. series reduces the voltage across each fan .

The best source for a 12v fan power supply is an old computer. If your lucky there is one or more fans in an old pc case. I gutted an old pc, used the power supply to run a couple of fans and put the VHO ballest in the case to keep em protected.

[Doug1]

Check the fans voltage and amp draw, if they are 12vdc you can get a power supply at radio shack, I use 110v AC fans that I recycle outta oxygen generators, wired paralell and plug into the light timer, or better yet, seperate timers set to go off about 15 min after

[Lutrah]

I'm sitting here looking at a 4" 120V fan from RShack. I bought it about 5 years ago for a water cooled computer project. I'm not sure of the price, but couldn't have been too much as I was broke back then. They might still sell them.

[wharyat]

, yes I meant parallel; always get those two mixed up.

Radioshak still sells those 120v fans, always another option. The 'net will always yeild the cheapest prices tho.

[inkto]

keep in mind you don't have to go 12v... the fan will simply run slower with a lesser voltage. I played around until I found a fan speed that could handle my cooling needs but ran at a more quiet pace...