How to connect a 2-pin fan?

[Sirrel Squirrel]

Made a bit of a mistake and bought a 2-pin case fan rather than a 3 or 4 pin one. How can I change it to a 3 pin?

 

[Orcvader]

Just connect it to a 3 pin header?

 

[Sirrel Squirrel]

Doesn't fit, the header can take a 3 or 4 pin connector with a plastic guard to stop you connecting anything else, where as the connector on the fan only has 2 pins.

 

[areksnumbr1sxylady]

It will connect without a problem, just allign it right... for example I have 4 Pin headers but I use 3pin fans on them, Just allign the "clips or blobs" together with header and it should lock in and leave out 1 pin... If doesnt go smoothly dont push it.

However that is based on experience with 3 pin on 4 pin header...

 

[Orcvader]

What fan is it? Bit strange for it being unable to fit.

 

[sketchytom]

if it wont fit ? get a bit of sandpaper and smooth out the notches on the connector so it will fit smoothly

 

[Tealc]

You may need to remove a bit of the plastic on the connector to get it to fit. Make sure it's lined up with pin 1 and 2.

 

[Sirrel Squirrel]

Problem is that the fan has 2 pins and a guard, where as the guard on the 3/4 pin header will only take a connector that is at least 3 pins wide.

The fan is a Panaflo FBA08A12.

I did think about just filing the guard off and connecting it to pins 1+2, as others have said, so I think I'll give that a go.

 

[Tealc]

The third wire is not required for operation of the fan. It's basically just an on/off 12v signal coming from the hall sensors in the fan to tell the PC it's speed. By the look of it you could connect a wire to the third output on the fan and run it to a 3 way connector if you fancy a bit of soldering.

 

[Sirrel Squirrel]

Just cut the guard off and it works fine connecting it to pins 1+2. Cheers for the help.