How do I power 12v computer fans?
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snoofer Last edited by:
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Contributed by: /usr/share/bong
Thanks to: JakeStone
Submitted: 04-29-2003
Quiet, low power and surprizingly efficient,
computer fans are an ideal cooling option for smaller
cabinet grows. The only problem is that most computer
fans are 12v and not 120v! How do I run a 12v fan on
normal household power?
Computer power supply
(A 145 watt computer power
supply is over-kill for a 5-20w fan. Try for something
small, like a 75watt or 100watt supply). You could drill
holes and mount the power supply inside your cabinet.
turn the power supply on and off with the power switch
on the back.
(Carpe-Nox) if you have any old cell phone
chargers around, they use 12v, same that a pc fan uses,
just splice the pc fan wires
[Editors note: 120v computer fans can be
found. Add a pigtail to your fan and voila.]
Fan ideas
www.cyberguys.com
ex.) 120mm, 90CFM fan for $11.95. it only uses
5.4 watts - a perfect exhaust fan.
ex.) 80mm
computer fan that is thermally controlled. $5.95 - the
hotter your cabinet is, the faster it spins.
(Jakestone) PCs frequently run their 12V fans at
voltages below 12. 7 Volts is very common. Much below
that, there can be an issue of having enough starting
voltage to get the fan going. The volume of air being
moved is reduced, but so is the noise.
(Jakestone) El cheapo $3 fans are often
significantly louder than better fans (say 5+ db) and
have a dirtier sound (less whoosh and more
whine/ticking). High-end fans generally go for between
$10 and $15. Computer power supplies are notoriously
noisy (especially cheap ones).
(Jakestone) In general, a larger
diameter fan moving a given amount of air will be
quieter than a smaller diameter fan moving the same
amount of air. So for example, one might buy a 120mm fan
that moves more air than you need to move at 12V and run
it at 7V instead of running a 80mm fan at 12V. The
downside for cabinet growers might be the need to
light-baffle a larger hole. |
| Last modified: 23:38 - May 23,
2003 |
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