Question Stumped with fan controls!

[grogritark]

Good afternoon,

I'm new to PC building and have opted for a simple 5 fan configuration powered from my power supply via 4 pin molex to pull hot air away from my heatsinks. I have ordered a on/off switch so I can turn three of the fans off when I am not gaming to save power and cause less noise, however do not know why it is not working!

I have connected the molex as shown, but the switch will not turn the fans on and off. I have noticed there is a very small 2 pin female connector coming off the switch, do I need to plug this in somewhere, and if so, where?

Image here:

https://imgur.com/a/YCKLgox

View: https://imgur.com/a/YCKLgox


Many thanks!

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

Image here:

use imgur.com so the images can be seen in the thread.

 

[punkncat]

Is the switch a normally open/normally closed type, or momentary?

If this is a standard on/off type switch, flip one way for current, the other to disconnect you should just be able to splice it inline with the yellow cable, assuming these are 12V fans.

 

[grogritark]

Is the switch a normally open/normally closed type, or momentary?

If this is a standard on/off type switch, flip one way for current, the other to disconnect you should just be able to splice it inline with the yellow cable, assuming these are 12V fans.

The switch is just a standard I / O. I will try and splice it with the yellow cables between the male and female molex, thank you.

 

[Paperdoc]

Yes, the two leads from the switch must be spliced into the YELLOW lines between Molex connectors. that is the +12 VDC line on a Molex.

However, it is NOT clear from what you post whether or not this is a common 2-state switch (either On always, or Off always). The normal switch used on a computer case front panel for On / Off is NOT that type! It is a momentary-contact pushbutton just like a doorbell button. So if that is what you bought, it is the wrong type.

That little 2-pin connector coming off the switch also makes me think this may not be a standard latching On / Off switch. I suspect it is a pair of leads to feed power from some external source to a pilot light built into the switch. That way an external signal can turn on a glow behind the switch button to show you the circuit is "On". A connector system like this WOULD be used for a lighted MOMENTARY CONTACT switch for a front panel.