Turn any case fan into a USB fan.

[joz]

a guide for idiots like joz.

1. Take any standard 2, 3, 4 pin fan and cut the wires away from the connecotr (leave a foot or two to work with.)

2. next, cut any wirethat is not red or black (remove it to the bareness as possible)

3. strip an inch or so off the black and red wires.

4. find usb devices, take its cord. cut it away from the device (a mouse in my case.) http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i203/NightwishD2/USB-Case%20Fan/101_2986.jpg http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i203/NightwishD2/USB-Case%20Fan/101_2993.jpg http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i203/NightwishD2/USB-Case%20Fan/101_2992.jpg

5. get the black and red wires from the usb device and strip em! http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i203/NightwishD2/USB-Case%20Fan/101_2989.jpg -> http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i203/NightwishD2/USB-Case%20Fan/101_2988.jpg

6. take the fan black and tie it to the usb black, red to red. http://s73.photobucket.com/albums/i203/NightwishD2/USB-Case%20Fan/?action=view&current=101_2994.jpg I used scotch tape :P

7. cover up any exposed wire, (with electrical tape, NOT SCOTCH tape...im an idiot.) and plug into a usb port.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i203/NightwishD2/USB-Case%20Fan/101_2995.jpg

yes...fan is spinnning, my digital camera couldnt capture it.

*bonus, thats the fan in the other thread cooling the CPU lol.*

[srpeters18]

Biggest problem I see with that is that fan speeds are controlled by voltage. USB is +5v and some fans won't even start at anything less than 7v.

Still though, good job.

[Kougar]

Interesting idea/guide!

Word of caution though before doing this, be careful not to overload the USB hub with the power draw from multiple fans! The USB bus has killed or damaged more than a few boards before when it fails. This is best for only very small fans. :)

[Sadasius]

I am a big fan of ummmm big fans. I no longer use anything under 120mm due to excessive noise because of RPM needed to move air. My new build has 9X120mm 19db fans (all but one on the dual rads), 2X 250mm 19db fans and 2X 140mm 20db fans. I defnitely would not hook any of these up to a USB. But it was still informative none the less and I am glad to see an effort on your part Joz. Good stuff!

[joz]

I was just realy bored. and it was an old 70 or 80mm fan, so it was pretty much gurenteed to work on usb. (quiet and good airflow too.)


But ya, I was realy, bored and this was the day after i did the other photo-op for putting a comp to gether (see below thread)

it was fin, and i gota play with my knife a bit (wire striping)


im gona see if I can hook it up to a firewire next :P