[SOLVED] Can you power pc fans from a 5v wall plug?

[SwordOfSierra]

I plan to do some experiments with pc fans so I’m buying some cheap fans off Amazon. Because they are cheap, I’m concerned about the cables shorting or melting. As such, I don’t want to plug into my PSU, and was wondering if a 5v wall plug such as this one (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017TXGM4I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_RWQDC7ZWAVFP6VVEGGVX) with a usb to 3-pin adapter will work to power fans

 

[rgd1101]

what the fan? are they 5v?

 

[SwordOfSierra]

what the fan? are they 5v?

They are rated for 12v and .12A

 

[USAFRet]

They are rated for 12v and .12A

Then they either won't run at all, or run very slowly.

 

[SwordOfSierra]

Then they either won't run at all, or run very slowly.

That was one of my concerns. Does that mean I should purchase a 12v wall plug, and that the fans will work?

 

[USAFRet]

That was one of my concerns. Does that mean I should purchase a 12v wall plug, and that the fans will work?

What "experiments" are you looking to do?

 

[SwordOfSierra]

What "experiments" are you looking to do?

Experiments regarding airflow based on obstructions and vent size

 

[USAFRet]

Experiments regarding airflow based on obstructions and vent size

Then you need to supply regular 12v power to them.

Not sure what valid results you'd get from trying this with junky fans, though.

 

[SwordOfSierra]

Then you need to supply regular 12v power to them.

Not sure what valid results you'd get from trying this with junky fans, though.

Any recommendations on how to power them without using a power supply?

 

[lvt]

Better buy this one, you can select the voltage you need, it comes with all the tips so a DIY cable to your fan is easy.

https://www.amazon.com/Powseed-Univ...ds=12V+usb+wall+adapter&qid=1621522452&sr=8-4

 

[rgd1101]

make sure you don't burn down the house

 

[SwordOfSierra]

make sure you don't burn down the house

that's my concern lol. if there's no easy way to use 12v to USB I might just try 5v to USB and live with it running slower

 

[SwordOfSierra]

Better buy this one, you can select the voltage you need, it comes with all the tips so a DIY cable to your fan is easy.

https://www.amazon.com/Powseed-Univ...ds=12V+usb+wall+adapter&qid=1621522452&sr=8-4

i don't actually own a soldering iron, nor much about wiring so if there's an easy way to adapt it to USB or 3-pin that be great

 

[USAFRet]

that's my concern lol. if there's no easy way to use 12v to USB I might just try 5v to USB and live with it running slower

Which would seemingly invalidate any results looking for:
"Experiments regarding airflow based on obstructions and vent size "

 

[SwordOfSierra]

Which would seemingly invalidate any results looking for:
"Experiments regarding airflow based on obstructions and vent size "

Not necessarily. As long as the base control variable is constant, any data gathered can be compared to that and won’t affect percentages

 

[hotaru.hino]

i don't actually own a soldering iron, nor much about wiring so if there's an easy way to adapt it to USB or 3-pin that be great

You don't need to solder two wires together. You can get something called a butt connector to marry two wires together. All you have to do with one of those is put the wires in and crush the connector ends. There's also screw-type terminals that do a similar thing.

If you really want to be jank though, you can also just mash the wires together and use either electrical tape or heat shrink tubing to cover it.

 

[SwordOfSierra]

You don't need to solder two wires together. You can get something called a butt connector to marry two wires together. All you have to do with one of those is put the wires in and crush the connector ends. There's also screw-type terminals that do a similar thing.

If you really want to be jank though, you can also just mash the wires together and use either electrical tape or heat shrink tubing to cover it.

I managed to find a DC to 3 pin adapter. Would that work?

 

[USAFRet]

I managed to find a DC to 3 pin adapter. Would that work?

Only you know what you found.

 

[lvt]

I managed to find a DC to 3 pin adapter. Would that work?

Yes, if the polarity is correct.

 

[hotaru.hino]

I managed to find a DC to 3 pin adapter. Would that work?

As long as it has the same polarity and size of whatever you're wanting to plug it into, sure.

 

[faalin]

You're better off with one of these to power fans PSU . Most wall warts are only rated at 1A to 2A max, if your trying multiple fans together or high end ones you run close to the amps ratting on those units.

 

[SwordOfSierra]

You're better off with one of these to power fans PSU . Most wall warts are only rated at 1A to 2A max, if your trying multiple fans together or high end ones you run close to the amps ratting on those units.

I’m using cheap fans 1 at a time

 

[lvt]

I’m using cheap fans 1 at a time

Most of 12V computer fan are rated 0.25A, the above adapter can provide a current of 1A for 12V output, you can connect 2 fans without problem.

 

[faalin]

I’m using cheap fans 1 at a time

Ok but for what your going to pay for a 12V 1A wall wart that you have to adapt a fan to a barrel plug you can buy a PSU that does 12v 15A and is easier to wire fans to.



On a side note if you have a spare computer PSU you can just jumper the 24pin to turn the PSU on and the just use the molex cables like normal for the fans.

 

[carocuore]

. Because they are cheap, I’m concerned about the cables shorting or melting.

Uh... what?
This is nonsense. Unless you short them on purpose nothing will happen, the cable won't "melt" just because it's not a $50 Noctua fan.

Some fans might work at 5V but not all of them, you should use them at the voltage they're rated for, 12 volts. The power supplies faalin mentioned are good enough to tinker with fans.