[mwz]

Hi!

I have a couple of 12v computer fans that originally were going to be used in a computer project. I'm now considering using them as apart of my future indoor grow build.

My questions are:
1) Are 12v computer fans worth using?
2) If so, what's the most energy efficient way to get them working and running off 220v house power supply.

An easy way would be to get an old computer power supply and run them off that. My only concern is that computer power supplies often have much higher wattage than what's needed to run the fans. Running a 400w power supply for 4 x 12v fans would be the energy equivalent of running an extra 400w light! I was struggling to find a low wattage computer power supply on eBay.

Anyway, any input is much appreciated.

[ozman]

Well I dont know about running them off of 220 volts,but if you get a 110 adapter to 12v they work great.I use them in my cabinet with an adapter,they havent given me any grief or problems.I use mine for exhaust vent and they work like a charm.The bbig thing is to make sure they will move enough air to suit your needs.

[gyntwaiser]

I used 120mm fans sum yers ago.
I had sum old modem/xmas light power adapters.
Most power adapters work if they r 12v output, so chek ur closets n attic n c if u find any, before buying computer power supply from ebay.

I quess if you have alot of em in use, its wise to use computer power suppply.

[mwz]

Thanks for the replies guys! I'll follow these ideas up

[rives]

A computer power supply isn't going to pull the rated wattage unless you have that much equipment hooked up to it. That wattage is the maximum that it can put out, not what it will draw with minimal loading. There are undoubtedly more efficient options because of the power supply fan, the fact that it puts out a number of different voltages that you wouldn't be using, it being optimized for heavier loading, etc, but I doubt that it would add more than a few watts beyond what your fan would pull.

[GP73LPC]

i too have used 12V DC fans in a cabinet with much success... a 110V AC adapter to 12V DC is what you need...

check out the link in my sig for pics of the cabinet i am talking about...

VERY STEALTH FISHTANK !!! FTW !!!!

[Vokuhila]

I'd suggest using a 9V power supply, that helps to keep the noise down.
A power supply from a PC might work, but to reach their peak efficiency they need to be operated near their maximum capacity and some require a load on the 3.3/5V rails to start up.

[coloradcannabis]

i splice one into a 12v adapter, like a old phone charger. Works like a baby charm.

[foomar]

Old phone chargers work very well , a good way of recycling older ones in the 6 - 12 volt range that dont fit modern lower voltage phones , run slower but quieter at below 12 volts.

Have an ancient fan from a server thats been ventilateing a veg box 24/7 for twenty years this way without incident.

[messn'n'gommin']

This link goes a long way to explaining it:

"The ultimate beginner’s guide to PC FANS," by ScrubNinja
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=131842

Good luck!