Fan Speed Control & Molex question

[quinne]

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Experts I have a few questions. Can those ordinary/generic 80mm black fans with a molex connector be connected to a fan controller by using a 4 pin to 3 pin or 2 pin adapter? Can you change the fan speed of those fans with the said controller or there must be some special properties to the fan for its speed to be controlled and stuff? Sorry I really don't know anything about electrical wirings

Also, is there a place here in cebu which sells/makes switches connected to the molex connector? I'm looking for something that will switch the fans off when I leave my PC idle. I heard something like you're not supposed to remove a molex connector while the PC is tuned on because it might damage(?) it or something.

[muzikfreakah]

yes ordinary fans can be controlled by fan controllers if all wattages are measured, meaning, double check the wattage of your fan, and make sure kaya sa controller.

Switch should be very easy. you can diy or buy a kit.

[greywolf]

yes it can be connected but u need the 3 pin connector which is not the standard for these black fans unless u get the branded ones. u can contact ddd here in istorya. he made me some connectors just like what u need.

[blade4638]

if you have a fan with only 2 wires (+ and -), you can still control its speed by adding a potentiometer (or "pot") or trimmers (for small fans) in series. just make sure the pot's or trimmer's wattage rating is a little higher than the fan's. this is what fan controllers use to control fans, but with better circuitry (e.g. use of regulator ics).

[stealthghost]

make sure nga when you connect the adaptors, red - red and black - black.. coz I've tried once nga bale xa.. may gani wa nibuto coz nakabantay dayon ko..

If your fan comes with a yellow wire, that's for RPM sensor.. but if wala gani.. + and - ra na xa..

About the Switch, you can soldered it and should be in series with the negative wire, mostly, kung DC..

I've made one myself in my pc, sa switch, and also a fan controller with its voltage regulator..

but better buy the branded ones if you're not much into electronics..

might damage your computer if you don't know what's running..

[EarlZ]

if you have a fan with only 2 wires (+ and -), you can still control its speed by adding a potentiometer (or "pot") or trimmers (for small fans) in series. just make sure the pot's or trimmer's wattage rating is a little higher than the fan's. this is what fan controllers use to control fans, but with better circuitry (e.g. use of regulator ics).

AFAIK, directly connecting a POT to a 2 wire fan might prevent the fan from spinning since it needs an external circuit, also IF it works theres another problem of abnormal noises generated when the fan is running lower than its rated volts but a fan with an internal PWM wont have any problems with that.. or you can make an external circuit for it.

[quinne]

Ok I barely understood what you guys explained since I really dont know anything bout electronics/electrical stuff..but from what I understand, it's okay to use a 4-pin to 3-pin connector and connect it to a fan controller as long as the controller can handle the wattage? From what I can remember, the controller has 20 watts/channel and the generic fans use .25A @ the 12v rail.. This is fine right?

@greywolf I'll PM him thanks.

[darkdevil]

mao ni ako gi gamit na circuit for fan controller


and here's the simple fan controller

[EarlZ]

Ok I barely understood what you guys explained since I really dont know anything bout electronics/electrical stuff..but from what I understand, it's okay to use a 4-pin to 3-pin connector and connect it to a fan controller as long as the controller can handle the wattage? From what I can remember, the controller has 20 watts/channel and the generic fans use .25A @ the 12v rail.. This is fine right?

@greywolf I'll PM him thanks.

Yes, those are premade fan controller hubs and should provide no problem if you dont go over the specific wattage/amps

[greywolf]

may i know what fan controller u are using?