How to power CPU fans in canopy?? What CPU fans to get??

[1brent1]

I building my own canopy for my 180 [acronym:94e05cf7ba="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:94e05cf7ba] where it will be housing 3x 250 HQI ME's. I was told to get 4 x 4 1/2" CPU fans and install 2 on each end of the canopy, 2in 2out.

I'm at the point to where I need to purchase the fans. There are thousands of fans out there and have no idea which would work best for me. PLEASE help me locate some or tell me what to look for. Looking for the best!

Also, how will I be powering these 4 fans? And eventually I'd like to hook them up to some type of thermostat if possible?

I know http://marinemadness.com/ has 4 inch smart fans w/ built in thermostat but they each have a separate plug, that means I'd have 4 plugs to plug in when I'd like to have only one if possible. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Brent

[fishfreek]

To power a CPU fan or a computer case fan you need a 12V [acronym:593966bf78="Direct current"]DC[/acronym:593966bf78] powersupply. These can be purchased at radio shack for a few $. Or purchase a fan that is 120V [acronym:593966bf78="Activated Carbon"]AC[/acronym:593966bf78] and then this can be wired to a standard two or three prong outlet and then plugged into a regular wall outlet.

To power multiple fans from a single plug you need to know the amperage pull per fan and then match a powersupply that will have enough amperage to provide the juice for the four fans collectivly.

An example lets say a 90MM computer case fan pulls 12V [acronym:593966bf78="Direct current"]DC[/acronym:593966bf78] and .02amps. Four fans of this type would pull 12V [acronym:593966bf78="Direct current"]DC[/acronym:593966bf78] and .08amps so you need to find a power brick that will do 8miliamps at 12V [acronym:593966bf78="Direct current"]DC[/acronym:593966bf78].

I personally just purchased an ice cap 120MM fan with themostat built in. Its a little more costly than a [acronym:593966bf78="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:593966bf78] job but a ton easier.

[1brent1]

Originally Posted by fishfreek

To power a CPU fan or a computer case fan you need a 12V [acronym:bd168aeadd="Direct current"]DC[/acronym:bd168aeadd] powersupply. These can be purchased at radio shack for a few $. Or purchase a fan that is 120V [acronym:bd168aeadd="Activated Carbon"]AC[/acronym:bd168aeadd] and then this can be wired to a standard two or three prong outlet and then plugged into a regular wall outlet.

To power multiple fans from a single plug you need to know the amperage pull per fan and then match a powersupply that will have enough amperage to provide the juice for the four fans collectivly.

An example lets say a 90MM computer case fan pulls 12V [acronym:bd168aeadd="Direct current"]DC[/acronym:bd168aeadd] and .02amps. Four fans of this type would pull 12V [acronym:bd168aeadd="Direct current"]DC[/acronym:bd168aeadd] and .08amps so you need to find a power brick that will do 8miliamps at 12V [acronym:bd168aeadd="Direct current"]DC[/acronym:bd168aeadd].

I personally just purchased an ice cap 120MM fan with themostat built in. Its a little more costly than a [acronym:bd168aeadd="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:bd168aeadd] job but a ton easier.

cool thanks! will let you know you make out.

[1brent1]

Originally Posted by fishfreek

I personally just purchased an ice cap 120MM fan with themostat built in. Its a little more costly than a [acronym:cc11e905c6="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:cc11e905c6] job but a ton easier.

where did you buy it? I found one site that sells them for $43. Is that a high price? I would need 4 of them.

coralvue has a very similar smart fan that I can get for $30 each. Anyone heard of them or know reviews?

[ellisz]

I use panaflo L1A's, 80mm [acronym:e87812f649="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:e87812f649] fans. I bought an adjustable [acronym:e87812f649="Activated Carbon"]AC[/acronym:e87812f649]/[acronym:e87812f649="Direct current"]DC[/acronym:e87812f649] power supply and I just wired the fans to the wires of the adaptor. I can increase or decrease the voltage to run the fans at a higher or lower speed. This is done in [acronym:e87812f649="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:e87812f649]'s as well.

Panaflows are nice [acronym:e87812f649="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:e87812f649] fans that run about $5 or so each and are pretty quiet.

[maporsche]

Originally Posted by ellisz

I use panaflo L1A's, 80mm [acronym:e61f5e7d35="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:e61f5e7d35] fans. I bought an adjustable [acronym:e61f5e7d35="Activated Carbon"]AC[/acronym:e61f5e7d35]/[acronym:e61f5e7d35="Direct current"]DC[/acronym:e61f5e7d35] power supply and I just wired the fans to the wires of the adaptor. I can increase or decrease the voltage to run the fans at a higher or lower speed. This is done in [acronym:e61f5e7d35="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:e61f5e7d35]'s as well.

Panaflows are nice [acronym:e61f5e7d35="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:e61f5e7d35] fans that run about $5 or so each and are pretty quiet.

These fans only move about 24cfm. How many of them are you using?

[tmcgee]

How about just using an old power supply from a [acronym:d1cfc8e071="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:d1cfc8e071]? I am about to venture into my first canopy and I have old [acronym:d1cfc8e071="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:d1cfc8e071] laying around and I was gonna snatch a power supply and then mount it in the hood. Would that be too much moisture for it though? HMMM. Just thought of that. I dunno if I want to mount it on the back of the hood.. I'll have to ponder that one.
Tmcgee

[electrikat]

We got ours from radio shack for 25 dollars apiece. They are 120v and we have them wired in with the [acronym:6d09996b3f="Normal Output Fluorescents"]NO[/acronym:6d09996b3f] flourescents so that they come on an hour before and go off an hour after the [acronym:6d09996b3f="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:6d09996b3f].

[fishfreek]

Wow there are alot of responses and I am sorry I didnt see them until now.

The icecap fan I have came from www.marinedepot.com Its quite expensive for a fan but they move ALOT of air. I suspect all but the largest of canopies can get by with one or two of these fans max. The fans move 50–112 CFM. Use that to compair it to other fans. I have found most computer fans dont move near as much as these do.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=IC5113

[tmcgee]

fishfreek,
Seems like the only advantage is the thermal sensor. Otherwise for that price I could hook up 8 computer fans for that price and move way more air. Obviously noone would want 8 fans cut into their canopy but that seems like quite a chunk of change for the advantage of the thermal sensor. Just my two sense..
Tmcgee