AC > DC molex converter

Infidel · Post by **Infidel** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 1:19 am

Hello,

I thought this was in an article on the site somewhere, but now that I need it, I can't find it.

Basically, I just finished drilling a 14cm hole in the side of my desk. I've been having to compute with the desk door open, which directs all of my computer noise directly too me. So I put a hole in the side of my desk for an exaust vent. The plan is to put a 140mm fan over the hole. Naturally, since the computer is outside my computer box, I don't want to use the connectors from the PS. I remember seeing someone somewhere mentioning a way to hook the fans to a wall outlet by buying or making an adapter, but I can't find the article. Does anyone else know where it is? Thanks.

disphenoidal · Post by **disphenoidal** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:49 am

To run 12VDC computer fans off wall power, you would need a transformer to converter 120VAC to 12VDC. An old power brick might do the trick.

Otherwise, there are some AC fans, but these can be somewhat harder to find. Surplus stores might be a good bet. There's a sticky in the fans and control forum that discusses good AC fans.

Oh, and check this post on AC fans. viewtopic.php?t=17002

edit: add link

Infidel · Post by **Infidel** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 8:51 pm

Thank you much for the link.

There is now a 171x151x51 sunon fan that I'm looking at very hard. I think it just might work out to perfect. Although I'll have to expand the hole I made a little bit.

Now I just have to figure out all the work involved it setting up an AC fan.

Rory Buszka · Post by **Rory Buszka** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 6:01 pm

You can't just wire a case fan straight into the wall outlet and expect it to work. You will, however, get a fun show of sparks and perhaps even a small fire for your efforts. However, AC-powered case fans do exist. Not every place carries them, but Digi-Key has some Papst and Comair-Rotron ones.

Infidel · Post by **Infidel** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 2:17 pm

Rory Buszka wrote:You can't just wire a case fan straight into the wall outlet and expect it to work.

I never implied it would. I believe I used tho word "adapter"

bolek · Post by **bolek** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 3:36 pm

www.jameco.com sells a lot of different AC fans, including some 240V fans that would run undervolted (thus much quieter) on the regular 120V current.

Infidel · Post by **Infidel** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:33 pm

Thank you for the link