cooling fan ?

skaterzero22 · 01/17/2008, 08:11 PM

has anyone ever used computer cooling case fans to cool down their tank? i have 4 and have no idea how to get them power. if you know a way please make it easy to understand because i dont know much about electric work. pictures would be awesome

blcard · 01/17/2008, 08:33 PM

I've heard of them many times, but the connections can vary a lot depending on the fan. If your not sure then I would say its not worth the cost of buying a ready to go set up. If you connect them wrong it could cause a fire. IMHO

minesinger · 01/17/2008, 08:40 PM

Here's what I did... http://cgi.ebay.com/QUAD-FANS-THEATER-AMPLIFIER-COOLING-300-CFM-6-SPEEDS_W0QQitemZ160200139473QQihZ006QQcategoryZ39783QQcmdZViewItem These fans are working great. I would think you could send this guy an email and just buy the controller from him if you already have fans. Or to be on the safe side just buy this unit.

Randall_James · 01/17/2008, 08:47 PM

this mounts inside the hood:

reefnetworth · 01/17/2008, 09:19 PM

www.mscdirect.com has a large selection of all sized fans, even up to commercial, 36" roll-arounds!

one other option is to check the fan for voltage listing, its usually on the side of it. i have heard of several people using a phone charger, with the "plug-in jack" removed & spliced to the fan.

Aquarist007 · 01/17/2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by skaterzero22
has anyone ever used computer cooling case fans to cool down their tank? i have 4 and have no idea how to get them power. if you know a way please make it easy to understand because i dont know much about electric work. pictures would be awesome

what lighting system do you have and do you have a canopy over the fixtures?

Randall_James · 01/17/2008, 09:33 PM

The above fans I have posted are uni-directional.. They are 12 volt and run off a small radioshack transformer. (look at the back of the 4 fans you have, they will have a "wattage" and "voltage" rating.. I multiplied the wattage by 6 and then went to Radio Shack and purchased a transformer of the correct voltage and wattage.

Couple things to keep in mind:

The fans I have listed above run at 28db at full voltage (basically silent). You need to look at the fans you have, get a part number and research how loud they are and if they are "variable" speed. Many computer fans will run clear down to 7 volts. Less voltage, less noise.

You might want to post your fan make and model here...

As the fans above are uni-directional (only spin one way and must be wired specifically + and - or they will not work..

Radio shack also has the power connectors to mate the fans to your new power supply..

If you need more info , let me know..

reefworm · 01/17/2008, 09:33 PM

yes I have - running it now. 3.5" from Radio Shack - inexpensive and quiet. by itself can drop the tank temp by 4 degrees WITH the 250w MH on - 9" above the surface. Its mounted to blow across the surface of the 29 gal display tank.

skaterzero22 · 01/17/2008, 10:14 PM

Dimensions 80 x 80 x 25mm (l x w x h)
Bearing Sleeve bearing
Rated Voltage 12VDC
Rated speed 2,700 RPM +/-10%
Rated power 1.8 W
Noise level 26.5 dBA
Air flow 32.95 CFM at 2,700 RPM
Current 0.15 A
Connector 3 / 4 Pin, mainboard
Life hours 30,000 hours
Features Quiet and wire coating
Application Power supply fan, second case fan or other purpose

there is all the information i know on the fans. i have 4 of them.

here is what the fan looks like

here is the wiring that comes with the fan

it is a masscool cooling fan. product number - FD08025S1M3/4

trdofwrkin · 01/17/2008, 10:29 PM

That looks exactly like the one in my 12g aquapod I have at work. I have had to replace them 3 times in the last year.

Randall_James · 01/17/2008, 10:34 PM

Nice quiet fans you have, good deal

I framed the box to fit this by using a router and making a 1/16" cut the width of the fan.

I joined 3 sides, slid the fans in and then attached the forth side..

Wiring is easy.. you your pigtails, wire black to black, red to red and you are pretty much ready to go..

Get the .75 amp 12V transformer and a female power connector to go with it..

Wire your fans to the female connector and attache the connector to the frame of the fan housing (I drilled a 3/8" hole and set the adapter in the hole)

Test the fans "BEFORE" mounting to the inside of the canopy, you want them to "push" air across the water..

Mine are mounted at about a 45 degree angle and it keeps the tank a couple degrees under ambient (400W 20K Ushio) at 5" above water on about 70 gallons.

Evaporation is about 1/2 gallon a day (I have an auto top off)

Randall_James · 01/17/2008, 10:41 PM

I misquoted my fans noise...

Nexus 22.8dBA 120MM

skaterzero22 · 01/17/2008, 10:54 PM

where would i get the .75 amp 12V transformer. whats it look like? lol im so clueless to this. sorry for all the questions

skaterzero22 · 01/17/2008, 10:57 PM

oh and whats the female adapter look like as well?

Randall_James · 01/17/2008, 11:28 PM

Just head to your local radio shack...

The "female" side looks like the adapter you would find on your laptop or cordless home phone. (will be something like a 3mm jack)

Go to Radio shack and here is what you tell them:

You need a 12VDC 10Watt or larger power supply
You need the female connector for the output side of the power supply..

They should give you a box that plugs into the wall and has a wire with a round plug on the end AND the opposite end of the plug that connects to that wire..

The small piece is connected to the wires from your cooling fans and then the power supply plugs into this connector to power up the fans..

I then put this transformer on the same circuit as the lights so that they turn off with the lights.

power supply $10-$15

the DC jack less than $1

01/17/2008, 08:11 PM	#1
skaterzero22 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 492	cooling fan ? has anyone ever used computer cooling case fans to cool down their tank? i have 4 and have no idea how to get them power. if you know a way please make it easy to understand because i dont know much about electric work. pictures would be awesome

01/17/2008, 08:47 PM	#4
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	this mounts inside the hood: __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

01/17/2008, 09:19 PM	#5
reefnetworth Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 3,810	www.mscdirect.com has a large selection of all sized fans, even up to commercial, 36" roll-arounds! one other option is to check the fan for voltage listing, its usually on the side of it. i have heard of several people using a phone charger, with the "plug-in jack" removed & spliced to the fan. __________________ GIVE A MAN A FISH, YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH A MAN TO FISH, HE FEEDS HIMSELF FOR LIFE. (NEVER, underestimate another man's greed) Current Tank Info: SPS dominated barebottom display with BB sump since 2005, most consistant parameters in 19+ years of reefkeeping. Last edited by reefnetworth; 01/17/2008 at 09:25 PM.

01/17/2008, 09:33 PM	#7
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	The above fans I have posted are uni-directional.. They are 12 volt and run off a small radioshack transformer. (look at the back of the 4 fans you have, they will have a "wattage" and "voltage" rating.. I multiplied the wattage by 6 and then went to Radio Shack and purchased a transformer of the correct voltage and wattage. Couple things to keep in mind: The fans I have listed above run at 28db at full voltage (basically silent). You need to look at the fans you have, get a part number and research how loud they are and if they are "variable" speed. Many computer fans will run clear down to 7 volts. Less voltage, less noise. You might want to post your fan make and model here... As the fans above are uni-directional (only spin one way and must be wired specifically + and - or they will not work.. Radio shack also has the power connectors to mate the fans to your new power supply.. If you need more info , let me know.. __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

01/17/2008, 09:33 PM	#8
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	yes I have - running it now. 3.5" from Radio Shack - inexpensive and quiet. by itself can drop the tank temp by 4 degrees WITH the 250w MH on - 9" above the surface. Its mounted to blow across the surface of the 29 gal display tank. __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

01/17/2008, 08:33 PM	#2
blcard Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 147	I've heard of them many times, but the connections can vary a lot depending on the fan. If your not sure then I would say its not worth the cost of buying a ready to go set up. If you connect them wrong it could cause a fire. IMHO

01/17/2008, 08:40 PM	#3
minesinger Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 62	Here's what I did... http://cgi.ebay.com/QUAD-FANS-THEATER-AMPLIFIER-COOLING-300-CFM-6-SPEEDS_W0QQitemZ160200139473QQihZ006QQcategoryZ39783QQcmdZViewItem These fans are working great. I would think you could send this guy an email and just buy the controller from him if you already have fans. Or to be on the safe side just buy this unit.

01/17/2008, 10:14 PM	#9
skaterzero22 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 492	Dimensions 80 x 80 x 25mm (l x w x h) Bearing Sleeve bearing Rated Voltage 12VDC Rated speed 2,700 RPM +/-10% Rated power 1.8 W Noise level 26.5 dBA Air flow 32.95 CFM at 2,700 RPM Current 0.15 A Connector 3 / 4 Pin, mainboard Life hours 30,000 hours Features Quiet and wire coating Application Power supply fan, second case fan or other purpose there is all the information i know on the fans. i have 4 of them. here is what the fan looks like here is the wiring that comes with the fan it is a masscool cooling fan. product number - FD08025S1M3/4 __________________ --Bryan Current Tank Info: Empty 125 sitting in my garage. Biocube 14

01/17/2008, 10:29 PM	#10
trdofwrkin Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Burbank Posts: 759	That looks exactly like the one in my 12g aquapod I have at work. I have had to replace them 3 times in the last year. __________________ nitrates 0 nitrites 0 ammonia 0 ph 8.2 salinity 1.026 temp 78.5 _____________ JoAnne Current Tank Info: 65g custom tank Fish and Coral 20g sump

01/17/2008, 10:34 PM	#11
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	Nice quiet fans you have, good deal I framed the box to fit this by using a router and making a 1/16" cut the width of the fan. I joined 3 sides, slid the fans in and then attached the forth side.. Wiring is easy.. you your pigtails, wire black to black, red to red and you are pretty much ready to go.. Get the .75 amp 12V transformer and a female power connector to go with it.. Wire your fans to the female connector and attache the connector to the frame of the fan housing (I drilled a 3/8" hole and set the adapter in the hole) Test the fans "BEFORE" mounting to the inside of the canopy, you want them to "push" air across the water.. Mine are mounted at about a 45 degree angle and it keeps the tank a couple degrees under ambient (400W 20K Ushio) at 5" above water on about 70 gallons. Evaporation is about 1/2 gallon a day (I have an auto top off) __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

01/17/2008, 10:41 PM	#12
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	I misquoted my fans noise... Nexus 22.8dBA 120MM __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

01/17/2008, 10:54 PM	#13
skaterzero22 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 492	where would i get the .75 amp 12V transformer. whats it look like? lol im so clueless to this. sorry for all the questions __________________ --Bryan Current Tank Info: Empty 125 sitting in my garage. Biocube 14

01/17/2008, 10:57 PM	#14
skaterzero22 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 492	oh and whats the female adapter look like as well? __________________ --Bryan Current Tank Info: Empty 125 sitting in my garage. Biocube 14

01/17/2008, 11:28 PM	#15
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	Just head to your local radio shack... The "female" side looks like the adapter you would find on your laptop or cordless home phone. (will be something like a 3mm jack) Go to Radio shack and here is what you tell them: You need a 12VDC 10Watt or larger power supply You need the female connector for the output side of the power supply.. They should give you a box that plugs into the wall and has a wire with a round plug on the end AND the opposite end of the plug that connects to that wire.. The small piece is connected to the wires from your cooling fans and then the power supply plugs into this connector to power up the fans.. I then put this transformer on the same circuit as the lights so that they turn off with the lights. power supply $10-$15 the DC jack less than $1 __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"