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
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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:
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12VDC 1500mA AC Adapter - RadioShack.com
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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:
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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:
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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:
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Good luck! PM me if you have questions.
Edited by Azureblue, 24 April 2009 - 07:05 PM.
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