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Hey does anyone know of a place to get hooked up with a computer fan? Also when I do finally get a hold of a computer fan...how do I hook it up to the power source?

art0_saar1

You can get a comp fan at any computer store, Best buy has ones for less then $10 i think. After you get that your gunna need a 12 volt power adapter, strip the wires and connect + to + and - to - then electric tape it up once you get it to work! I might have missed something so im sure some more people will tell you how to do it , GOOD LUCK! oh ps dont wire the fan to the adapter will its plugged in

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Beener

I get mine on Ebay for about $3 each (new). I use a "fan controller" to operate mine ($12 new). The controller allows me to adjust the speeds of each fan seperately. They also come with thermostats for a little extra $$$.

I use a computer power source to power my controller, and fans.
In my signature is a link called "wiring a comp. fan 101". It's a long thread, but it's all there.

The attached pics are the actual parts I use. Shop price carefully, as you can spend waaaay too much if you don't (stay away from the "Radio Shacks"). Otherwise, it's a pretty cheap project that works extremely well.

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Beener

GanjaGuru

Don't waste your money.
PC fans are designed to cool small metal boxes, not for temp. control and ventilation (providing lots of fresh air) for growrooms.
Bathroom exhaust-type fans are $12 @ home depot. They are WAY better than comp. fans. Your plants will grow faster from the flow of CO2 across their leaves.
Cut 2 holes, 1 up high for exhaust, install the fan facing out, cut the other hole as low as you can, facing inward.
They don't need an adapter but they do need a plug.

THELONERANGER

I just use a house fan..

Moshe

This is what I've done recently:
1. Got a 12V CPU fan from an old computer (older CPU, fan was smaller than some of the fans they sell at computer stores, but it churns out enough air).
2. I bought a variable transformer (one that allows you to set the voltage from 3-12V).
3. Stripped the connectors on the transforms and exposed maybe half an inch of wiring on the transformers, did the same on the fan.
4. Since you're dealing with 12V, there's no real danger of getting hurt, so just find which two wires start up the fan and then connect them using electrical tape. Make sure the wires can't cross! Crossed wires will spark and eventually catch fire.

Now, the neat thing about a variable transfomer is that you can set the voltage. Setting the voltage lower will slow down your fan (this is what the fan controller beener referred to does, but only for the single connected fan you're using).

Costs:
PC Fan, about $4-5.
Transformer, About $5-7.

Other ways... If you have an unused spare cell-phone recharger, check the output, if it's 12V, your fan will work full speed, if it's less, your fan should work, but slower.

These types of fans are mostly useful for moving air around the plants so they become stronger, not to cycle air around the room.

If you really want to cycle air around the room, the best thing is to use an electrical vent (is that the right name for it?). The good ones can be hooked to hoses which allows you to use a smaller drill area to move air around. Idealy you'd use two of these (one to get air in, one to get air out). But, even using one to get air out and just drilling a hole to get air in should work (causes negative air pressure to suck air in).