Wiring Computer Fan(s) to Run on 120V A/C

Azureblue · #1 (**permalink**) 04-09-2009, 04:06 PM

I have received a lot of Private Messages asking how I converted two computer fans to run on 120V A/C power (your standard wall plug-in) used in my first grow.

First off, let me say that I am not an electrician (not even close!), just a do-it-yourself'er who likes to tinker. I am providing one method that has worked for me. Please feel free to correct me if I have made an inaccurate statement and/or suggest a more efficient method.

The main reason why I choose to use computer case fans for my pull through exhaust setup is because they are extremely quiet, and stealth has always been very important in my grows. The dual ball-bearing fans are particularly hushed.

To start, pick up a nice dual ball-bearing computer fan. You can get great fans cheap from tigerdirect.com, though any computer fan will work for the purpose of this writeup. Fans like this one can be had for less then $20:

Ultra Performance 120mm Case Fan - Dual Ball Bearing ULT40135 at TigerDirect.com

...

...

Now, find out how many amps the fan will draw. If it doesn't say on any of the packaging, go down to Radioshack and find one of comparable size (80mm, 120mm, etc.) and see what the amperage is. Then, go down to Radioshack and purchase an a/c to d/c (alternating current to direct current) power adapter. It just looks like a cell phone adapter. It's like $20:

...

...

12VDC 1500mA AC Adapter - RadioShack.com

...

...

Make sure you get one that is big enough to support your fan(s). If each fan requires .5A (or 500mA) then get something that will handle it. For example, if two fans draw 1amp (or 1000mA) total then buy a power adapter that can handle 1.5A (or 1500mA) and you'll have more then enough.

Alternatively, if you are trying to save some money, you can sometimes use the old power adapters (from old cell phones, etc.) you have laying around your house. The method is the same, though the positive and negative wires may not be identified. You must also ensure it has adequate amperage, etc., as I mentioned in the paragraph above.

Then, while you are there, purchase some "butt" connectors. You can ask them for help if needed. They look like this:

...

...

...

...

Cut off the connector at the end of the cord on your power adapter. On both the adapater and fan(s) strip the plastic off the last inch of all wires. If you don't have any tools you can do it with a knife (be careful!). They make a tool just for this step, a wire crimper, which helps a lot and is probably already in your garage:

...

...

...

...

Once you have about an inch of bare wire, slip the adapter end into one side of the butt connector and slip the fan end into the other. Crimp (compress) the connector down with some needle nose plyers. If your fans have three wires, a yellow, red, and black, splice the yellow and red together. The yellow is a switch wire and can be used to turn your fan on and off, but that won't be an issue for you. This way it will run any time it has power.

If you aren't sure which wire is positive on your adapter, touch the adapter and fan wires together while the adapter is plugged in (be careful never to touch exposed wires to your skin when plugged in!!). If the fans turn in the correct direction, you are good to go. If they turn in the opposite direction of what they are supposed to, you have it backwards.

Once everything is crimped you should be good to go. It will look something like this. Notice the little connectors at the bottom of the picture and how the red and yellow are spliced together:

...

...

...

...

Good luck! PM me if you have questions.

Joescool00 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 12:23 AM

This is sweet. I have been wondering about how to wire some of these up.

zpyro · #3 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 12:35 AM

Joescool00 · #4 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 12:50 AM

LOL o yea

Azureblue · #5 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zpyro

I am aware of that option (have a lot of experience in that particular field) and that is way too bulky for my cabinet grow!!

rudar · #6 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azureblue

I am aware of that option (have a lot of experience in that particular field) and that is way too bulky for my cabinet grow!!

as well as burning from 300-600 watts to power your two fans!

zpyro · #7 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudar

as well as burning from 300-600 watts to power your two fans!

doubt it, unless you have something to use that power, where would it go? maybe if you had a computer with hard drives, motherboard, CPU etc. to power, but if you only have two small fans, they're only going to use the power to turn the small fans

PhL0aTeR · #8 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 06:45 PM

This tutorial is way overdue, +rep!!!!

STICKY!!!!!!!

rudar · #9 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 06:57 PM

i had an elec engineer try and tell me that a computer consumes a huge amount of power when switching on, so much so that he recommended leaving it on 24/7?

i thougth it was wierd but i dunno, i like the radioshack route better unless you have a junk power unit lying around (which i do wait a sec, need to think that one over)

In a pinch, you can buy a 3 pack of 6V batteries at walmart for 4 bucks and power them for almost a week per battery, depending on the voltage of the fan

zpyro · #10 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudar

i like the radioshack route better unless you have a junk power unit lying around (which i do wait a sec, need to think that one over)

indeed. that's really what I meant, if you have one lyin around it's a free power source and you can hook plenty of fans up to one quite easily. of course it's always better to use something specifically made just for the fans

thosevacanteyes · #11 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 08:19 PM

Nice tutorial, I could have used it last grow.

-C

jbyrd · #12 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 08:29 PM

Thanks for this! I'm a techy and have tons of fans lying around that I was hoping to put to goo use. Looks like my mother/clone box is getting redesigned!

FreshMeat · #13 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 08:51 PM

you can also use old power packs from video games and the such electronic items, most run off 12vdc anyway, save a few bucks also, just look on the back of the pack for the rating in volts and milla amps. Wire it up. Ones from old cellphones chargers work also.

Azureblue · #14 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 08:55 PM

Hey, thanks for the compliments!

I wanted to share this with my fellow Blades because it has been a great, efficient fan solution for me. The dual-ball bearing fans are SO quiet. If you take about 4-5 steps away from the growbox in a totally silent room, you can't hear them anymore

. Even when you are right next to them it sounds more like a distant appliance, your ears really don't follow it like a loud sound. Stealth is a major priority for me, and this really fit the bill.

Anything I can do to give back to the Grasscity.com community that has helped me so much makes me very happy

namewasdallas · #15 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 09:49 PM

How are those 2 fans working for you, I currently have a dresser cabnit grow, i have 4 - 3inch circle vents with no fans to them, I'm going to try the fan method, I was wondering if there is a way to adjust fan speed on what you setup, I remmber on my old computer i had a adjustable knob for fan speed to 1000rpm-9000rpm. I'm trying to keep my heat under 90 im at like 82 but i keep my window open and its still cold so come summer i will have a problem,

well i just wanted to know how those 2 fans worked out, id set 3 to push out air out and 1 to pull in fresh air,

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#1 (permalink) 04-09-2009, 04:06 PM
Azureblue Growing My Life Away Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Land of Nod Posts: 1,924	Wiring Computer Fan(s) to Run on 120V A/C I have received a lot of Private Messages asking how I converted two computer fans to run on 120V A/C power (your standard wall plug-in) used in my first grow. First off, let me say that I am not an electrician (not even close!), just a do-it-yourself'er who likes to tinker. I am providing one method that has worked for me. Please feel free to correct me if I have made an inaccurate statement and/or suggest a more efficient method. The main reason why I choose to use computer case fans for my pull through exhaust setup is because they are extremely quiet, and stealth has always been very important in my grows. The dual ball-bearing fans are particularly hushed. To start, pick up a nice dual ball-bearing computer fan. You can get great fans cheap from tigerdirect.com, though any computer fan will work for the purpose of this writeup. Fans like this one can be had for less then $20: Ultra Performance 120mm Case Fan - Dual Ball Bearing ULT40135 at TigerDirect.com ... ... Now, find out how many amps the fan will draw. If it doesn't say on any of the packaging, go down to Radioshack and find one of comparable size (80mm, 120mm, etc.) and see what the amperage is. Then, go down to Radioshack and purchase an a/c to d/c (alternating current to direct current) power adapter. It just looks like a cell phone adapter. It's like $20: ... ... 12VDC 1500mA AC Adapter - RadioShack.com ... ... Make sure you get one that is big enough to support your fan(s). If each fan requires .5A (or 500mA) then get something that will handle it. For example, if two fans draw 1amp (or 1000mA) total then buy a power adapter that can handle 1.5A (or 1500mA) and you'll have more then enough. Alternatively, if you are trying to save some money, you can sometimes use the old power adapters (from old cell phones, etc.) you have laying around your house. The method is the same, though the positive and negative wires may not be identified. You must also ensure it has adequate amperage, etc., as I mentioned in the paragraph above. Then, while you are there, purchase some "butt" connectors. You can ask them for help if needed. They look like this: ... ... ... ... Cut off the connector at the end of the cord on your power adapter. On both the adapater and fan(s) strip the plastic off the last inch of all wires. If you don't have any tools you can do it with a knife (be careful!). They make a tool just for this step, a wire crimper, which helps a lot and is probably already in your garage: ... ... ... ... Once you have about an inch of bare wire, slip the adapter end into one side of the butt connector and slip the fan end into the other. Crimp (compress) the connector down with some needle nose plyers. If your fans have three wires, a yellow, red, and black, splice the yellow and red together. The yellow is a switch wire and can be used to turn your fan on and off, but that won't be an issue for you. This way it will run any time it has power. If you aren't sure which wire is positive on your adapter, touch the adapter and fan wires together while the adapter is plugged in (be careful never to touch exposed wires to your skin when plugged in!!). If the fans turn in the correct direction, you are good to go. If they turn in the opposite direction of what they are supposed to, you have it backwards. Once everything is crimped you should be good to go. It will look something like this. Notice the little connectors at the bottom of the picture and how the red and yellow are spliced together: ... ... ... ... Good luck! PM me if you have questions. __________________ First Grow \| Second Grow \| Wiring Computer Fans Last edited by Azureblue; 04-24-2009 at 09:05 PM.

#2 (permalink) 04-10-2009, 12:23 AM
Joescool00 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 180	Re: Wiring Computer Fan(s) to Run on 120V A/C This is sweet. I have been wondering about how to wire some of these up. __________________ First grow check it out-- harvested 1ounce http://forum.grasscity.com/indoor-gr...-mk-ultra.html

#3 (permalink) 04-10-2009, 12:35 AM
zpyro Max. Support of Min. Govt Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cali (559) Posts: 2,623	Re: Wiring Computer Fan(s) to Run on 120V A/C __________________

#4 (permalink) 04-10-2009, 12:50 AM
Joescool00 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 180	Re: Wiring Computer Fan(s) to Run on 120V A/C LOL o yea __________________ First grow check it out-- harvested 1ounce http://forum.grasscity.com/indoor-gr...-mk-ultra.html

#8 (permalink) 04-10-2009, 06:45 PM
PhL0aTeR Unregistered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Rocky Mountain high Posts: 592	Re: Wiring Computer Fan(s) to Run on 120V A/C This tutorial is way overdue, +rep!!!! STICKY!!!!!!! __________________ My First Growcab <> Current Grow <> The Laundry Room <> DIY Bubble Cloner

#9 (permalink) 04-10-2009, 06:57 PM
rudar Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 66	Re: Wiring Computer Fan(s) to Run on 120V A/C i had an elec engineer try and tell me that a computer consumes a huge amount of power when switching on, so much so that he recommended leaving it on 24/7? i thougth it was wierd but i dunno, i like the radioshack route better unless you have a junk power unit lying around (which i do wait a sec, need to think that one over) In a pinch, you can buy a 3 pack of 6V batteries at walmart for 4 bucks and power them for almost a week per battery, depending on the voltage of the fan Last edited by rudar; 04-10-2009 at 06:59 PM.

#11 (permalink) 04-10-2009, 08:19 PM
thosevacanteyes Above The Clouds Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ga? Ca? Posts: 2,383	Re: Wiring Computer Fan(s) to Run on 120V A/C Nice tutorial, I could have used it last grow. -C __________________ Secret Garden '09 - NYCDiesel, Gigabud and Powerskunk

#12 (permalink) 04-10-2009, 08:29 PM
jbyrd Chronic User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 374	Re: Wiring Computer Fan(s) to Run on 120V A/C Thanks for this! I'm a techy and have tons of fans lying around that I was hoping to put to goo use. Looks like my mother/clone box is getting redesigned!

#13 (permalink) 04-10-2009, 08:51 PM
FreshMeat Grade A Top Choice Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bumb Fock Egypt Posts: 450	Re: Wiring Computer Fan(s) to Run on 120V A/C you can also use old power packs from video games and the such electronic items, most run off 12vdc anyway, save a few bucks also, just look on the back of the pack for the rating in volts and milla amps. Wire it up. Ones from old cellphones chargers work also.

#14 (permalink) 04-10-2009, 08:55 PM
Azureblue Growing My Life Away Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Land of Nod Posts: 1,924	Re: Wiring Computer Fan(s) to Run on 120V A/C Hey, thanks for the compliments! I wanted to share this with my fellow Blades because it has been a great, efficient fan solution for me. The dual-ball bearing fans are SO quiet. If you take about 4-5 steps away from the growbox in a totally silent room, you can't hear them anymore . Even when you are right next to them it sounds more like a distant appliance, your ears really don't follow it like a loud sound. Stealth is a major priority for me, and this really fit the bill. Anything I can do to give back to the Grasscity.com community that has helped me so much makes me very happy __________________ First Grow \| Second Grow \| Wiring Computer Fans

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

#15 (permalink) 04-10-2009, 09:49 PM
namewasdallas Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 314	Re: Wiring Computer Fan(s) to Run on 120V A/C How are those 2 fans working for you, I currently have a dresser cabnit grow, i have 4 - 3inch circle vents with no fans to them, I'm going to try the fan method, I was wondering if there is a way to adjust fan speed on what you setup, I remmber on my old computer i had a adjustable knob for fan speed to 1000rpm-9000rpm. I'm trying to keep my heat under 90 im at like 82 but i keep my window open and its still cold so come summer i will have a problem, well i just wanted to know how those 2 fans worked out, id set 3 to push out air out and 1 to pull in fresh air,