Question for PC fans to cool canopy

Jasonincuritiba · 03/04/2007, 12:47 AM

Those of you who use pc fans on their canopies, what power supply or AC to DC inverter do you use?

kevin95695 · 03/04/2007, 07:42 AM

I bought a little variable voltage unit at walmart for $15. It's in the electronics section and it's meant to be a replacement for chargers, personal electronics, etc. It's got a little switch that clicks from 3v to 12v. I have x3 80mm fans wired to mine that will spin beginning at 4.5v setting. For safety, I wired an in-line fuse to the hot wire. If you want to do it on the cheap: Most thrift stores have loads of orphaned transformers they'll sell for cheap. Just check the ouput on the sticker. Last one I picked up was for $1.

If you burn your house down, you don't know me.

kfowler · 03/04/2007, 07:45 AM

I, Kevin, did the exact same thing as Kevin above.

Has worked perfect.

mcox33 · 03/04/2007, 07:55 AM

I used a cheap one I picked up at harbor freight. $4.00 bet The $24.00 at R Shack. I am running 4 x 120mm variable speed fans with one. The other is running 4 x 60mm fans. Another is running pc feet lights as moonlights. And still another is running windshield wiper lights as moonlights. I am thinking of adding some more fans to the 120mm setup. I know that the one power supply /transformer will run 4 more as I use that one to test the 4 that went in the other canopy. I am considering putting 3 or 4 80mm fans accross the back of the canopy that is running MH lights. 80mm fans are cheap on line. And I have the hole saw for that size vs the 120mm. Had a really hard time finding a hole saw for those. Finally my brother in law managed to borrow one and came by and helped cut my holes for the fans.

Jasonincuritiba · 03/04/2007, 02:49 PM

thanks for the help

surfjeepzx · 03/04/2007, 03:14 PM

I've been using the same ex-cellphone transformers for over 8 years without issue. You'd be surprised how many people have them hanging around in the spare junk drawer in the kitchen. Just ask a few friends and I'll bet you'll find some for free.

Just make sure they're 12volts

J. Montgomery · 03/04/2007, 03:47 PM

I also chose a power transformer from Wal-Mart that has the variable voltage switch. I enjoy the flexibility of fan speed.

03/04/2007, 12:47 AM	#1
Jasonincuritiba Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 240	Question for PC fans to cool canopy Those of you who use pc fans on their canopies, what power supply or AC to DC inverter do you use?

03/04/2007, 07:42 AM	#2
kevin95695 Member of the Registry Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Perimeter patrol. Posts: 3,469	I bought a little variable voltage unit at walmart for $15. It's in the electronics section and it's meant to be a replacement for chargers, personal electronics, etc. It's got a little switch that clicks from 3v to 12v. I have x3 80mm fans wired to mine that will spin beginning at 4.5v setting. For safety, I wired an in-line fuse to the hot wire. If you want to do it on the cheap: Most thrift stores have loads of orphaned transformers they'll sell for cheap. Just check the ouput on the sticker. Last one I picked up was for $1. If you burn your house down, you don't know me. __________________ You wouldn't believe it if I told you. Go put on the helmet. Did I say that out loud? Current Tank Info: Color chunks in a big water box.

03/04/2007, 07:45 AM	#3
kfowler Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,095	I, Kevin, did the exact same thing as Kevin above. Has worked perfect. __________________ Kevin "You cannot achieve what you are not willing to pursue." Current Tank Info: 20g Mixed Reef

03/04/2007, 07:55 AM	#4
mcox33 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Nitro, West Virginia Posts: 2,261	I used a cheap one I picked up at harbor freight. $4.00 bet The $24.00 at R Shack. I am running 4 x 120mm variable speed fans with one. The other is running 4 x 60mm fans. Another is running pc feet lights as moonlights. And still another is running windshield wiper lights as moonlights. I am thinking of adding some more fans to the 120mm setup. I know that the one power supply /transformer will run 4 more as I use that one to test the 4 that went in the other canopy. I am considering putting 3 or 4 80mm fans accross the back of the canopy that is running MH lights. 80mm fans are cheap on line. And I have the hole saw for that size vs the 120mm. Had a really hard time finding a hole saw for those. Finally my brother in law managed to borrow one and came by and helped cut my holes for the fans. __________________ Mary Current Tank Info: 90 Saltwater Reef, 2 x 400 watt MH, 4 x 65 watt PC, 1 x 24 watt 48" T-5 + 4 blue led's, Dual chamber MRC Calcium Reactor, Huge DIY Kalkwasser reactor (made by someone else) Auto Top Off and Aquatecture Plus Skimmer

03/04/2007, 03:14 PM	#6
surfjeepzx Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Wilbur by the Sea, FL Posts: 842	I've been using the same ex-cellphone transformers for over 8 years without issue. You'd be surprised how many people have them hanging around in the spare junk drawer in the kitchen. Just ask a few friends and I'll bet you'll find some for free. Just make sure they're 12volts __________________ << All that matters Current Tank Info: 135 Acrylic flatback hex. 30 gallon sump. Twin Coralvue 250w MH's w/ 14k Hamiltons, Icecap 660 VHO, 4 URI reflected 110 actinic's. Rio 17hf return & 2 mj1200's (mod'd) pwrhds in tank. All natural... seawater

03/04/2007, 02:49 PM	#5
Jasonincuritiba Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 240	thanks for the help

03/04/2007, 03:47 PM	#7
J. Montgomery Mouth Pipetting Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 6,278	I also chose a power transformer from Wal-Mart that has the variable voltage switch. I enjoy the flexibility of fan speed. __________________ Josh