Reuse PSU fan

[catacon]

I just replaced an crappy Powmax PSU and was wondering if I could use the fan to cool my case. I could save a few bucks and have some fun if its possible. Anyway, if its possible, what is involved?

Thanks!

P.S.
I don't mind doing some soldering or whatever, if the need be.

[Snod Blatter]

Yes, it's possible. I've done it :)

They're just 12v fans... I personally sellotaped the wires into a molex connector! I'm sure that's gonna disgust a few people (hehehe) but it worked! Be warned, though, they don't spin very fast (well, mine didn't) but conversely they are almost silent ;)

[Cricket]

Just be careful when you're working inside the power supply...the big capacitors hold a charge even when unplugged. Just open the PSU case and cut the power wires from the fan close to the PCB so you have some wire to work with.

What kind of power connection were you going to use? A 4 pin molex or a 3 pin? If you're using a 4 pin molex the easiest thing to do would be to get a 3 pin to 4 pin power adapter and use that...cut off the 3 pin connector and splice the wires from the fan to the 2 wires from the power adapter. I solder the spliced joint but you can use butt connectors for that. I cover the joint with heat shrink tubing.

If you're going to use a 3 pin connector to connect to a motherboard fan header you're going to have to find a 3 pin female plug. I usually get mine from old fans but they do make 3 pin to 3 pin power cord extensions. Or you could get lucky and the PSU fan will already use a 3 pin connector.

:) Cricket

[catacon]

In the first example, after you cut of the 3-pin part, you just attach black to black and red to red, right?

[Cricket]

In the first example, after you cut of the 3-pin part, you just attach black to black and red to red, right?Yep.

:) Cricket

[catacon]

Any then I plug the 4-pin into the PSU?

[catacon]

Where did you find those Cricket? I could only find this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812105007 which doesn't seen to be the same. Thanks!

[Cricket]

Try this site (http://www.svc.com/conad.html).

:) Cricket

[catacon]

Would this one: http://www.svc.com/3pinto4pinad1.html work? Would I just cut off the yellow wire with the 3-pin connector?

[Cricket]

Yes, that one would work. I'd just cut the red and black wires close to the 3 pin connector and then splice the fan wires there.

:) Cricket

[catacon]

OK, I got everything to work, the fan spins and is really quiet. I didn't have any heat shrink tubing so I just used some electrical tape. Anyway, where is the best place to put this fan? I have an output fan in the back of the case and of course the CPU fan. Should I put this new fan is the front? I know that certain bad things can happen, like back pressure and whatnot, if the fans are not in the right spot. They can counter-act each other or just suck cool are out leaving hot air which defeats the purpose of the fans. Should this fan in an intake or outake fan and where should it go? Thanks!

[jollyjohn]

G'day
I installed an old PSU fan on the back pannel of the PC, blowing out. I used audio connectors (mono) and a 12V AC adaptor. I only run it when I burn DVDs or if it's too hot. Make sure it spins the right way. If not reverse the polarity.
John

[catacon]

I cut a hole in the side of my case and have it blowing out. Although now the computer doesn't work, but that is for different reasons. The fan works great!

[catacon]

Another question about the PSU: Can I reuse any of the wires or heatsink (on the circuit board)? It seems like a waste to just throw it away. Thanks!

[Cricket]

Sure, you can reuse them if you want to. What were you planning to do with them?

:) Cricket

[catacon]

I dunno. Maybe make so power adapters or something. Any ideas?

[Hi Ho]

Hehehe, it's funny you ask this. I just threw out an old PowMax that had bursted capacitors. The only thing I saved out of it was the fan. I doubt I'll use it though.

[catacon]

How can I reuse those heatsink things?

[Hi Ho]

I'm not sure what you would use those for. Everything in your PC that needs a heatsink should already have one.

[catacon]

Could I someway attach them to my memory? No heatsinks there. What about the wires? How could I reuse those? Also, the metal case. What could I use that for? (Can you tell I'm bored?!)

[Hi Ho]

Memory really doesn't need heatsinks unless you are overclocking heavily. Even then I wouldn't install heatsinks as they can actually make it worse.

I don't know what you could do with all those parts. Like I said, I threw mine out. You'll need to do some creative thinking. :)

[catacon]

Could I make a fan controller using the wires and the box? I'm sure I could find a knob somewhere that could increase/decrease the speed. Any ideas?