Wiring Up A Computer Fan - Micro Grows - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

Adam01 · 11-26-2006, 02:10 AM

So I found a scrapped 12v computer fan and a 12v AC adaptor and wired them together. I want to use this for cooling my lights. My question is, could I safely use a higher voltage adaptor (say, 18 volts) to give the fan a little extra power? Or would this be a fire hazard and something to avoid?

pieceofmyheart · 11-26-2006, 02:16 AM

j/k hehehehehehe

waydee · 11-27-2006, 05:45 AM

It might work initially but it'll ultimately kill the fan - could cut its life in half, maybe more. Worst case scenario is the fan dies, its not likely to catch fire or anything but it won't be good for it.

Just run it at stock voltage or less.

11-27-2006, 06:15 AM

no if it says 12 thats all you give it

bounty29 · 11-27-2006, 08:15 AM

You can give it less volts to run it slower and it shouldn't be a problem, if you give it more volts it'll most likely shorten the lifespan of the motor. It would probably make it a good bit louder too.

hoyt · 11-27-2006, 10:15 AM

anybody got pics? im interested in how to do so as well (just normal voltage). i dont even know what a 12v adaptor looks like or where you'd buy one. is it just the thing that plugs into the wall? then splice the wires together?

bounty29 · 11-27-2006, 10:21 AM

Splice the striped wire on the converter to the red wire on the fan, and black to black. if there's a ground on the fan I think you just cap it off, I'm not sure. I'll be doing two fans tomorrow or the next day so I'll take some pictures.

Look at the writing on anything that plugs in that isn't just a wire. It's a little square or shape, it'll say 12v, 600mA or 9v, XXXmA. Just look for the voltage and amp rating of the converter. Amps drawn by the fan should be like 90% or less of the maximum put out by the converter.

stickyickyicky · 11-27-2006, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stickyickyicky

so here is what i did....
1. found an old laptop converter 120-240 ac to 19 vdc.
2. got 2-120mm 12vdc pc fans from the shack.
3. wired those bitches in series. = 9.5 volts each
4. hooked them up the converter.
5. BAM. nothin left to do but install them
6. INSTALLED

this might help!

alkbud · 11-27-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam01

So I found a scrapped 12v computer fan and a 12v AC adaptor and wired them together. I want to use this for cooling my lights. My question is, could I safely use a higher voltage adaptor (say, 18 volts) to give the fan a little extra power? Or would this be a fire hazard and something to avoid?

hey adam,

the fan is rated for 12vdc so you should give it 12vdc max, giving it more will burn out your fan and make it melt into a glob of deformed plastic.. if you want to control speed and power of your fan you should consider purchasing a 12vdc variable transformer. it will allow you to switch from 5/7.5/9/12v at the flick of a switch. also make sure that you use only about 80% of the rated power of the transformer.

ex. 2x90mm 400mA computer fans = 800ma
connected to a 1A(1000ma) variable transformer
1000-800=200ma left
so you will be using 80% of your trans.

just my 2 cents..
cheers and good grow.

tngreen · 11-27-2006, 08:34 PM

radioshack has a 12v 1000ma adapter for $18 that will run a couple fans no prob. wire in parallel and you would be good to go.

11-26-2006, 02:10 AM	#1
Adam01 New Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 11	Wiring Up A Computer Fan So I found a scrapped 12v computer fan and a 12v AC adaptor and wired them together. I want to use this for cooling my lights. My question is, could I safely use a higher voltage adaptor (say, 18 volts) to give the fan a little extra power? Or would this be a fire hazard and something to avoid?
	Quote

11-26-2006, 02:16 AM	#2
pieceofmyheart Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: my secret garden Posts: 1,854	j/k hehehehehehe
	Quote

11-27-2006, 05:45 AM	#3
waydee Amateur knob-twiddler Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Way up North Posts: 446	It might work initially but it'll ultimately kill the fan - could cut its life in half, maybe more. Worst case scenario is the fan dies, its not likely to catch fire or anything but it won't be good for it. Just run it at stock voltage or less.
	Quote

11-27-2006, 06:15 AM	#4
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	no if it says 12 thats all you give it
	Quote

11-27-2006, 08:15 AM	#5
bounty29 Custom User Title Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,252	You can give it less volts to run it slower and it shouldn't be a problem, if you give it more volts it'll most likely shorten the lifespan of the motor. It would probably make it a good bit louder too.
	Quote

11-27-2006, 10:15 AM	#6
hoyt Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 301	anybody got pics? im interested in how to do so as well (just normal voltage). i dont even know what a 12v adaptor looks like or where you'd buy one. is it just the thing that plugs into the wall? then splice the wires together?
	Quote

11-27-2006, 10:21 AM	#7
bounty29 Custom User Title Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,252	Splice the striped wire on the converter to the red wire on the fan, and black to black. if there's a ground on the fan I think you just cap it off, I'm not sure. I'll be doing two fans tomorrow or the next day so I'll take some pictures. Look at the writing on anything that plugs in that isn't just a wire. It's a little square or shape, it'll say 12v, 600mA or 9v, XXXmA. Just look for the voltage and amp rating of the converter. Amps drawn by the fan should be like 90% or less of the maximum put out by the converter.
	Quote