DIY - wiring DC fans

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wiring DC fans

Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6652
Printed Date: July 30 2026 at 10:50am
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Topic: wiring DC fans

Posted By: jordanh
Subject: wiring DC fans
Date Posted: May 23 2005 at 12:06am

I want to install a couple of DC fans in my canopy; does anyone know how to go about wiring them so the can be plugged into the wall? I'm guessing you can use a wall transformer and wire it into the fan. The transformers as well as the fans have amperage ratings, do these need to match exaclty? Also can I wire two fans in series using one transformer?

Replies:

Posted By: fj40fax
Date Posted: May 23 2005 at 5:41am

I wired a few computer fans into a wall transformer from some old dead gizmo. The voltages have to match, the total amperage of all the fans should be less than what the transformer is rated at. It seemed like once I got over about half of the rated amperage of the transformer it started having a hard time keeping up (the fans would run faster if I disconnected one). I would shoot for about half of the rated amperage. I was running 4 fans on one 1000 mA transformer, now I run 2 or 3 and it does just fine.

Fax

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Fax 318-3632
90g 2x250W 14kK MH
Sump, Fuge, G3, UV, O3, ACIII
Pleasant Grove, UT Across State Street from the Purple Turtle
Adjustments and Massages for Frags!

Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: May 23 2005 at 10:00am

I got some DC fans from Radio Shack. They're even brushless, $30, and
offer some serious cooling. They are between 4-6 inches. They can be
wired directly into an outlet.

Posted By: jglover
Date Posted: May 26 2005 at 12:16pm

jordan I hit up the DI got some old computer power boxes took the fans out the fans will say the electrical rating on them mainly the watages need to match or be close they have transformers also at DI so you can take your pick and find one close to what you need as for the two fan series like fax said if one slows down when you add another fan that means your transformer doesn't have the capacity to run both I am running three fans off a $1 transformer and it works great. Also DC fans are great they run cheaper and you can't possibly wire them wrong they just don't work instead of blowing up like some AC fans.

Posted By: fj40fax
Date Posted: May 26 2005 at 2:22pm

They are also very cheap/easy to find, and they typically run quieter.

Fax

-------------
Fax 318-3632
90g 2x250W 14kK MH
Sump, Fuge, G3, UV, O3, ACIII
Pleasant Grove, UT Across State Street from the Purple Turtle
Adjustments and Massages for Frags!

Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: May 26 2005 at 4:07pm

I said DC, I meant AC.... I guess I wasn't thinking at the time.