Electrical wiring assistance.

[thresher]

I figure one of you can help with my dilemma. Im attempting to wire in some computer fans to a switching power supply. From the pics, you can see the fans connections are a molex type...4 pin to 3 pin. Im trying to figure out which wires to power up to get the fans running. From the little research I have done, the wire with a white markings is the positive??? And the ground is next too it? I cut them and tried them in the power supply but no love. My smooth brain doesn't work well so any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Jimbo327]

On the power supply photo, the 2 right black wires goes to where? Those should be the 110v input, N for neutral and L for live.

The red wire in the photo (attached to +V) should be the yellow wire from the fan 12v DC line. And the black wire in the photo (attached to -V) should be black wire from the fan ground line.

 

[drexel]

I think two (or one) of the wires are for variable speed control, which isn't needed. On my Noctua fans, I believe I have 3 wires and I'm only using two, the red and black. Are there any tech docs of the fan that show the wiring diagram?

 

[Jimbo327]

Oh yeah, if your fan is 12V...use the yellow line from the fan. If you fan is 5v...use the red line from the fan. I'm not sure what type of fan you are connecting to. You don't want to overdrive or underdrive your fan, so need to match voltage.

 

[thresher]

Sorry for the confusion....the 2nd Pic shows the wiring harness that is on the fan. The first Pic is something else that is also wired in. It works fine....just trying to get the fans to run. All the wires coming from tha fan are black. No distinguishing markings 1 wire has some white stripes running down it.

 

[Reefer Reboot]

White stripe wire is usually negative so it would go to the "-V" on the power supply. The other fan wire should go to the "+V" on the power supply. But before you try this, is the fan a 12 volt DC fan?

 

[thresher]

Is for the voltage type, I have no clue...just messing with electrical stuff as a blinded person would.

 

[Jimbo327]

Sorry for the confusion....the 2nd Pic shows the wiring harness that is on the fan. The first Pic is something else that is also wired in. It works fine....just trying to get the fans to run. All the wires coming from tha fan are black. No distinguishing markings 1 wire has some white stripes running down it.

LOL. Defintiely confusing with those photos. I was like...this guy is doomed.

12v to V+, and the ground to V-. If that doesn't work, then I'm out.

 

[thresher]

Im still alive and the fans are working. House is not on fire so I think im good.

 

[Reefer Reboot]

Wait, before you leave this, for everybody's info and safety, could you post a full picture of the fan, front and back, to determine if it's a 12v or 5v computer fan please?

 

[drexel]

Also, for those who have an apex, you can connect 12v and 24v fans directly to the apex (with some DIY‘ing and step down converters for 12v fans).

 

[Jimbo327]

Wait, before you leave this, for everybody's info and safety, could you post a full picture of the fan, front and back, to determine if it's a 12v or 5v computer fan please?

This is true. You don't want to drive a 5V fan with a 12V power supply. It'll most likely kill your fan, and worst case cause a fire if near flammable material.

 

[thresher]

Will do when I get home...just checked the technical specs. It indeed is 12V.

 

[Jimbo327]

Will do when I get home...just checked the technical specs. It indeed is 12V.

Carry on then!

 

[OldReefGuy]

Are you going to add a thermal switch so it comes on and off automatically at a set temp?

 

[OldReefGuy]

or Inkbird?

 

[thresher]

Inkbird...thermal switch down the line.