PC Fans - help need for power supply

kamla · 04/28/2006, 08:45 AM

PC Fans - help need for power supply

I can get 2 PC fans, Specs Voltage: 12V Current: 0.23A

Where can i find an adaptor to power them and what should i be looking at.

Thanks

hmott · 04/28/2006, 08:56 AM

Any 12vdc power supply that can handle at least 0.46amp will work fine. Having a power supply that goes over 0.46amp is not a problem, but you can't use one that is less. You should be able to find them all over. Walmart sells some, radio shack will, lots of places. It doesn't matter what the "end" is you can cut it off and strip the wires. Just make sure its 12vdc (DC I assume) and 0.46amp or greater.

bebitte70 · 04/28/2006, 09:19 AM

Even if it's a bit less it's still fine, it just won't spin as fast.
I have connected some fans that work on 12V and almost 1A each to a 9V 500mA I had laying around and it worked fine just alot slower than full 12V. To use youre fan optimally do what hmott says.

kamla · 04/28/2006, 09:30 AM

Thax guys..
Do i need two adaptor, one for each fan for just connect both fans to the same Adaptor.

Kamla

rick s · 04/28/2006, 09:38 AM

Go get a free, used PC Power Supply! Surely you know someone that plays with upgrading/fixing computers. If you don't, talk to any business that repairs computers: local store, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. If you go and talk to one of the repairmen, he'll probably give you a used one free.

bebitte70 · 04/28/2006, 09:38 AM

A 12V 1A would be fine for the two of them in parallel.

gath2 · 04/28/2006, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rick s
Go get a free, used PC Power Supply! Surely you know someone that plays with upgrading/fixing computers. If you don't, talk to any business that repairs computers: local store, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. If you go and talk to one of the repairmen, he'll probably give you a used one free.

This would certainly work, but why run an entire 250W or larger power supply when you only need 12v? It's also big.

Just run them both off the same adaptor.

hyperfocal · 04/28/2006, 10:42 AM

Many computer peripheral wall-warts are 12v, 500ma to 2A. If you don't have any kicking around, you might try your local thrift shops -- around here, they often have crappy old external CD drives, etc for a couple of bucks. Just be sure to check the specs on the power supply before you buy it.

rick s · 04/28/2006, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gath2
This would certainly work, but why run an entire 250W or larger power supply when you only need 12v? It's also big.

True, it's bigger than a wall adapter. But usually free. I like free.

Just because it's rated at 250 watts does not mean it is always consuming 250 watts. 250 watts would be the maximun rated (under full load) spec. It only supplies the current that's needed. If you connect a 460ma load (his 2 fans) to it's 12V connector, it's only using 5.52 watts (plus a little more internally-not much).

I use one because I run 4 of those PC fans and I couldn't find a (real cheap) 2 amp wall adapter, and I had a PC power supply laying around. Mine isn't even warm to the touch.

kamla · 04/28/2006, 11:45 AM

Thanks Guys...

20 20 · 04/28/2006, 11:52 AM

How about long wires to connect them to the PS?

rick s · 04/28/2006, 11:58 AM

Any stranded wire the same gauge or larger (lower numberwise). Home Depot/Lowes: 20 ga, 18 ga lamp cord, etc. Just cut the power supply's wires and splice in longer ones. That way you still can use the connector so you can remove the fans in the future to clean them. Use butt splices on the wires and shrink tubing to help seal out any salt creep.

AZDesertRat · 04/28/2006, 02:38 PM

DC variable voltage power supplies at Wal Mart, Harbor Freight Tools or Radio Shack for $5 to $10. Work great and you can vary fan speed to find quietest point .

navyav8tr · 04/28/2006, 02:54 PM

just picked up a power supply from harbor freight yesterday with a variable voltage for $5. Can't beat it. Thanks again azdesertrat!

AZDesertRat · 04/28/2006, 03:17 PM

Great, glad to help.

04/28/2006, 08:45 AM	#1
kamla Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 489	PC Fans - help need for power supply PC Fans - help need for power supply I can get 2 PC fans, Specs Voltage: 12V Current: 0.23A Where can i find an adaptor to power them and what should i be looking at. Thanks

04/28/2006, 09:38 AM	#5
rick s Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 2,993	Go get a free, used PC Power Supply! Surely you know someone that plays with upgrading/fixing computers. If you don't, talk to any business that repairs computers: local store, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. If you go and talk to one of the repairmen, he'll probably give you a used one free. __________________ Rick Current Tank Info: Reefer Emeritus

04/28/2006, 10:42 AM	#8
hyperfocal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edge of oblivion Posts: 1,708	Many computer peripheral wall-warts are 12v, 500ma to 2A. If you don't have any kicking around, you might try your local thrift shops -- around here, they often have crappy old external CD drives, etc for a couple of bucks. Just be sure to check the specs on the power supply before you buy it. __________________ "Froth at the top, dregs at bottom, but the middle excellent." -- Voltaire Current Tank Info: getting back into the hobby

04/28/2006, 11:58 AM	#12
rick s Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 2,993	Any stranded wire the same gauge or larger (lower numberwise). Home Depot/Lowes: 20 ga, 18 ga lamp cord, etc. Just cut the power supply's wires and splice in longer ones. That way you still can use the connector so you can remove the fans in the future to clean them. Use butt splices on the wires and shrink tubing to help seal out any salt creep. __________________ Rick Current Tank Info: Reefer Emeritus

04/28/2006, 08:56 AM	#2
hmott Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belpre Ohio Posts: 470	Any 12vdc power supply that can handle at least 0.46amp will work fine. Having a power supply that goes over 0.46amp is not a problem, but you can't use one that is less. You should be able to find them all over. Walmart sells some, radio shack will, lots of places. It doesn't matter what the "end" is you can cut it off and strip the wires. Just make sure its 12vdc (DC I assume) and 0.46amp or greater.

04/28/2006, 09:19 AM	#3
bebitte70 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 206	Even if it's a bit less it's still fine, it just won't spin as fast. I have connected some fans that work on 12V and almost 1A each to a 9V 500mA I had laying around and it worked fine just alot slower than full 12V. To use youre fan optimally do what hmott says.

04/28/2006, 09:30 AM	#4
kamla Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 489	Thax guys.. Do i need two adaptor, one for each fan for just connect both fans to the same Adaptor. Kamla

04/28/2006, 11:45 AM	#10
kamla Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 489	Thanks Guys...

04/28/2006, 11:52 AM	#11
20 20 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stewartstown, PA Posts: 1,246	How about long wires to connect them to the PS?

04/28/2006, 02:38 PM	#13
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	DC variable voltage power supplies at Wal Mart, Harbor Freight Tools or Radio Shack for $5 to $10. Work great and you can vary fan speed to find quietest point .

04/28/2006, 02:54 PM	#14
navyav8tr Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 218	just picked up a power supply from harbor freight yesterday with a variable voltage for $5. Can't beat it. Thanks again azdesertrat!

04/28/2006, 03:17 PM	#15
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Great, glad to help.