Best way to power two fans I wish to add to mini-PC


  1. Posts : 59
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
       #1

    Best way to power two fans I wish to add to mini-PC


    I just purchased in many PC in a really cool metal case. when I got home I realized that system did not have any kind of fan and I figured this was alright because of its size. later I noticed that the system was very hot (touched w hand). I opened the case and noticed there was the ystem fan pins on the motherboard so I grabbed of the many that I had lying around indused sugru to attachet to the top inside of the case. so far it works really good and everything is fine. but also have these two smaller fans that fit perfectly into beside cutouts of the case and I think would look really cool and also provide further cooling. so I have both fans in the spa so I want them, but I'm not sure what the best route to take and it comes down to power in them neither of them has any plastic suck it on the end of the wires but both have just wires. what my best option would be to strip the wires back a little bit, and cut out little strip to Windows bare wire on the main sys fan's cables, and solder these to them? Would there be enough power provided for the 3 fans? Amy guidance and advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #2

    Hi,
    I have no idea but if you look at your power supply and post the watts it has possibly someone might be able to assist
    There should be a tag with what watts it is
    Cheers.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 59
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    It doesn't even have a traditional power supply man the entire computer case is just a little bit bigger than a power supply
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  4. Posts : 59
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #4
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4,161
    Windows 7 Pro-x64
       #5

    All motherboard fan headers have a current limit based on the IC driver. For full size PCs, this is usually around 1A. So we need more information about the fans AND the "mini-PC". For the fans, are they 3-wire or 4-wire and what is the current draw? For the PC, what make and model?

    For 4-wire fans, NEVER wire the tach lead in parallel with other fans on the same header. Use the tach lead on ONE fan and disconnect the tach lead for other fans on the same header. Tape off the unused lead to keep it from contacting any electronic components; Especially the motherboard.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Best way to power two fans I wish to add to mini-PC-fan-pin-out.jpg  
    Last edited by carwiz; 25 Apr 2015 at 09:56.
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  6. Posts : 59
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    https://youtu.be/slKrFhGT-Os

    I just decided to make a video really quick so you can get a better idea of what's going on and what I'm talking about
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  7. Posts : 9,606
    Win7 Enterprise, Win7 x86 (Ult 7600), Win7 x64 Ult 7600, TechNet RTM on AMD x64 (2.8Ghz)
       #7

    Case fans can usually be connected in two ways. by an adapter to a molex power connector coming off of the main power supply (PSU). Or from a small 3 or 4 pin connection on the motherboard as carwiz posted above. Here are some typical fan cable connectors.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Best way to power two fans I wish to add to mini-PC-fan_ext_cable.jpg   Best way to power two fans I wish to add to mini-PC-fan_molex_adapter.jpg   Best way to power two fans I wish to add to mini-PC-fan_y_connector.jpg  
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 4,161
    Windows 7 Pro-x64
       #8

    I was typing before I attached the image but 3-wire and 4-wire fans share the same pinout on 1-3. So when paralleling fans, both should follow the pin #3 restrictions. I corrected the previous post.
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