Power a PC Fan Using Plug-In Transformer - How To

Power any PC fan from a mains electricity socket in your house. This method is much cheaper than buying an expensive mains voltage fan, and much more flexible. Allowing you to choose exactly the right fan for your needs.

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[keitholiverz]

Hey, me again. I've got a CPU Heatsink Arctic Fan which has 4 wires instead of 2. I also got myself a 3-12Volt adapter. I connected the red wire from the fan to the black wire with white stripes from the adapter and the black wire to the solid black wire of the adapter.

Don't know what happened but it didn't work. Did I do something wrong? What would you recommend for CPU fans with 4 wiring - red, black, yellow, blue, when turning it into a desk fan using an Adapter?

[MyRandomReviews]

@keitholiverz - Them fans are most likely PWM fans, I'm pretty sure these cannot be powered by a standard DC transformer so you can't use them this way. Sorry.

[PwNinat0r2000]

I have 2 large 120mm fans I need to hook up to the mains. They're both the same Cooler Master model and on the front it says "DC 12V 0.16A".

Would I be able to strip the wires of both fans, twist them together and then twist them on to a 12V 1A 1000mA power supply? The one I'm looking to buy says

12V 1A 1000mA (max.) Power Supply Adaptor

Input: 100-240V, 0.33-0.09A, 60/50Hz

DC Output: 12V 1A, Max.12W

Would this all be safe and would it work? 2 fans on one adaptor?

[MyRandomReviews]

@PwNinat0r2000 - Yes, that would power at least 5 of them fans.

[keitholiverz]

hi mate, was wondering how would you add more than 1 fan to the same transformer? or is that not possible? lol

[MyRandomReviews]

@keitholiverz - Just buy any DC transformer that is rated at the same number of volts as the fan, and a larger amount of amps as all the fans you're intending on using added together.

[DjObsta]

thanks, finaly a descriptive and usefull video, been looking forever for a tutorial like this, +++

[MrSuper0bby]

also is this safe? Because when i cut the ac adapter wires i plugged it in and by mistake they tocuhed and there was smoke and blue light. at first i crapped myself but is this whole thing safe?

[acasinas]

@DDawgInkTVProduction that should work.. 0.5A = 500mA = means your adapter should have an extra 200mA

[rochix77]

@keitholiverz Black and yellow works.

[stu600cc]

use a old phone charger

[DDawgInkTVProduction]

hey i have a small pc fan that says DC 5V and 0.5A but i only have an adapter that says Output: 5V and 700mA...will it work?

[keitholiverz]

actually, if you could point me in the direction to buy an adapter that would work via amazon or something that would be great. I'm looking to buy 80mm PC Computer Chassis Case Cooling Fan Quiet 8cm at £2.45 on Amazon as well.. thanks a lot in advance.