Connecting a Fan whilst PC is on?

SaBBz

SaBBz

SaBBz

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I'd like to know if it's a bad idea to connect a fan whilst my PC is on? I ask because I tend to leave my PC on at night and the top exhaust fan on my pc is a lot louder than the others so I have to leave it unplugged or I can't get to sleep. If I could connect/disconnect it whilst the PC was on it would mean that I could unplug it when I go to bed and be able to sleep!

So, anyone know if I can do this safely?

Thanks :)
 
Not a particularly good idea but a better way to do it would be to wire an inline switch between the motherboard header and the fan so you could just switch it off when necessary- you could even mount it in one of the case side panels :)
 
Wouldn't a FAN controller be an idea? One that mounts in a vacant 5.25" drive bay.
 
i do it in work all the time when i'm repairing PC's never had a problem or one short out ;)
 
Just make sure you connect/disconnect it without twisting the connectors, if that makes sense. I blew the plug fuse when I connected a fan while the computer was still on. :/

As said, a fan controller would be the best idea.
 
if it's a 3 pin fan connector then maybe a 3 pin extender between mobo and fan, that way you're not actually going anywhere near the mobo to disconnect it, less risk of bumping something and upsetting the sys, don't really wanna bump the ram or hsf just incase innit :)
 
SaBBz said:
Sorry forgot to say, it's a molex connector on the fan :) Does that make any difference?
Click to expand...


that's even easier, since oyu wont actually have to go near the mobo to unplug it, so just unplug it! or grab a switch and bung it on the red wire
 
SaBBz said:
Sorry forgot to say, it's a molex connector on the fan :) Does that make any difference?
Click to expand...

No, you don't need to (And shouldn't be either for that matter) switch the supply before the molex connector, you need to switch it after the molex connector (Between the molex connector and the fan itself). Basically, just cut the red wire of the fan and stick the switch in there and leave the black wire alone :)
 
Last time i tried that a nice blue spark apeared from the 4 pin connector and the pc wouldnt turn back on for a few mins.

Gave me quite a shock (not Physically though)
 
Trouble with molex connectors, is they are usually very low quality contruction, and the pins wobble/bend. Even if your totally carefull, its certainly possible to short out the +v and ground's. Pretty blue sparks etc.

Disconnecting is easy enough, but plugging them in can be slightly risky.

A little switch would be a better idea, or as other's have said a fan controller. Infact if you run a fan controller, it can manage all your case fans, and if the PC should overheat, it would automatically then them back to full power until the system cooled down again.
 
...and with a fan controller, you don't have to open up the case every night. Be careful, some won't stop the fan, just reduce the voltage to 5V which with most 120mm fans is very quiet. If you want to stop the fan, and you are interested in a fan controller, I would recommend a Sunbeam Rheobus.
 
PyroboyUK said:
Gave me quite a shock (not Physically though)
Click to expand...
Heh, try plugging a stripped PSU into the mains while the mains in on. Now THAT was funny.

OT: I plug fans in when the PC is on all the time, I just tend to stab at the connector until the fan spins. It works for me.
 
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