wiring fans

[yodawagon]

how do i wire the fans to run off an outlet. they say 12v DC, so could i just use a AC converter from a cordless phone?

[yodawagon]

maybe ill play with some solar panels. it would be fun, and it might actually work.

[littleprince]

It would have to be pretty large solar panels to get enough electricity from your tank lighting. Not worth the cost I'd say.

If your cordless phone adapter says 12v DC output I suppose it would work. Another popular way is to use an old computer Power supply thats lying around.

[1SickReefer]

I got the same type fans, I went to radio shack and got the transformers that you can switch the voltage from like 3v to 12v, this helps quiet them down ALOT, I run mine at 7.5v I think and they are waay more quieter that they are at 12V. Any temp the fans can pull down during peak MH time, the chiller will kick on and take care of it.

My tank heater consist of one Poseidon T4 pump lol

[Worldwithin]

The key thing to do is not only match the output voltage, 12v DC in your case, but also make sure that the MA (milli-amp) rating is correct. Your fans should have either an Amp or a Milli-Amp rating on them to tell you how much power they draw. Make sure that the power adapter that you are using has enough umph behing it before you just assume that it will work with it. Lastly, your power draw should be no more than 70% of the adapter's rating. Example: a 1 Amp (1000 MA) power supply can support up to 700 Milli-Amps of draw.