How could I power 3 x PC fans from a plug socket?

nightrider1470

nightrider1470

nightrider1470

Soldato
Joined
25 May 2011
Posts
3,299
My fish tank gets hot being a marine tank with lights, I am looking to mod it at the back to blow cool air in when it reaches a certain temperature. I have installed a controller to do this, but I am unsure if its possible to power these fans via plug.

Can you buy fans with a DC connector on them and maybe I can power them via a universal voltage charger where you can select different volts etc

Any ideas?

:)
 
Universal voltage adaptors tend to be 300-500mA which wouldn't really be sufficient for any more than 1 fan.

I've never seen standard PC DC fans with a DC jack on them instead of a fan connector or Molex. They might exist I suppose but it would be far easier to adapt something to your needs.

What about this....

12v 5A power brick > Molex > El cheapo fan controller > DC fans x 3


What about this controller you've installed. What output has it got? How does it work?
 
Fans either come with the connector or without, never heard of DC jacks being preconnected to them. You could make your own if you wanted to though.
 
Ok I have worked out I only need to power one fan.

Am thinking of buying a universal Dc power supply and cutting the DC plug end off and linking to a fan cable. These universal plug things can run at 12v

The one I am looking at says "Universal AC/DC MAINS POWER ADAPTOR 300MA 3/4.5/6/7.5/9/12 VOLT"

Would that power most PC fans am only looking at a 80mm or max 120mm fan?

Thanks!! :)
 
Find the output amperage of that power supply and then see what sort of amps the fans you are going to use, use
 
300 mA should be sufficient for most quiet type 80mm or 120mm fans, however you will have to be wary of them as you'd need to be in the 0.2A region to be on the safe side. Fans also require a higher current at startup so this peak may not be good for a low current supply such as 300mA.
 
Hello

Blowing air at a rate across your water surface will ramp up your evaporation quite a lot. If you do do this keep an eye on your salinity...

Back in the day when we had hot summers I used to stick my external filter in a bucket of iced water....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom