Electrical Wiring question

[serpentman]

Dumb question

Have have 3, 13W computer cooling fans that run on A/C. I am looking to wire them so they come on when the MH run. Rather than run a wire to plug in, can I just tie them into the MH in the line where the Mogul runs from the Ballast? Will this effect anything?

[gman19]

Don't the ballast put out a high voltage to fire the bulbs?? This high voltage should not be good for the fans???

[serpentman]

I was thinking that as well. I am going to wire them separate.

[jasert39]

doesnt sound like a good idea to me...

[michaeldaly]

Remember the fans are probably low voltage a computer usally puts out 12V.

[tkeracer619]

yup.

Wire them separate. though i am curious as to what would happen.

When you plug a subwoofer into the wall it will jump about 2 feet off the ground. =] <--- I assume no liability for this stupid stunt. Try at your own risk :lol:

[Tarkus70]

You could try to wire them to your switch for the ballast. That way when you turn on the lights the fans will come on as well. It can get a little tricky but it's one less plug. Just make sure the cord is of a heavy gauge wire.

[Randall_James]

radio shack adjustable transformers... (oh you need DC fans)

I have run A/C fans and the noise is terrible (never tried a rheostat on A/C but suppose it should work pretty well)

With "most" fans you can actually tune them with voltage from the transformer. 3 or 4 fans running on 8 0r 9 volts are pretty quiet. Ramp them up to 12 or 14 volts and it gets pretty loud.

Add one extra fan, lower voltage and get the same air movement without the "airplane" landing in the fish room...

The only other thing is DC is a lot safer to work with

[dannable]

Those fans are typically 12VDC .07Amp. Find a transformer that is for 12VDC with a similiar amp. You can take the transformer (when it is not plugged in of course...) and cut the wires and solder them to the wires on the fan ensuring positive to positive and negative to negative. If you want a really quiet fan check the link below. Vantec fans run lower than 20db.


http://www.extreme-pc.ca/showproduct.asp?productid=368771&menu1id=12&menu2id=137&menu3id=163

Fan Size: 92x92x25mm
3.62x3.62x0.98"
Voltage: 12 V
Current: 0.07 Amp
Airflow: 28 CFM
Power: 0.84 W
Noise: 20 dBA
Speed: 1750 RPM

[Randall_James]

Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 25 mm
Rated Voltage: DC 12V
Starting Voltage: DC 7V
Fan Speed: 1500 RPM
Airflow: 56.39 CFM
Static Pressure: 2.38 mm/H2O
Bearing Type: Sleeve Bearing
Noise: 27.5 dB(a)
MTBF: 30,000 Hrs.

specs on the fans I use ($5.25 each) and I run them at about 8.5 volts and very quiet. The key figure is "starting voltage" Some fans will not run under 10.5V