Is 3 Volts enough to power a cpu fan

[JBmorris]

Is 3 volts enough to power a Cpu fan on a Solar panel?

 

[A Guy]

3v will run many fans, albeit at a slower speed. Some fans need more voltage to start, so there is no specific answer. The fan will often have a voltage range listed on the label. Chances are it's a 12v fan, and if it will run on 3v, will not provide much cooling. A Guy

 

[JBmorris]

So 3 volts could possibly 50%/50% turn the fan but at slower speed?

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

So 3 volts could possibly 50%/50% turn the fan but at slower speed?

Possibly but it's highly unlike you will find a fan that can start at 3v. 5-7v is usually about the lowest starting voltage you will find and that will be only in the highest quality fans. And, as A Guy said, it won't move very much air. You may need to use a DC to DC inverter to power a 12v fan but that would at least quadruple your 3v current draw.

I did a quickie search for 3v fans and didn't find much of anything. This outfit sells 3.3v fans, which may work for you, but I don't know how reliable or safe the company is (my guess is not very).

 

[JBmorris]

I'm getting a cpu fan from an old computer made in the 1990's. or the 1980's.

 

[A Guy]

I'd say 99% no. Many fans need more then 5v just to "kick" it into motion. At 3 volts you might get 100-200rpm and that wouldn't move any air. Anything running at 3v would probably be some tiny little fan. A CPU fan from 20 30 years ago won't work. A Guy

 

[JBmorris]

aw man, well, going for a 6 volt solar panel. i guess...

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

What exactly are you trying to build?

 

[JBmorris]

Air conditioner.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Air conditioner or ventilation fan? There is no way in this universe you will ever power an refrigeration type air conditioner with only 3-6v or even 12v and you aren't going to move enough air to ventilate a room using computer fans. You will need a really large, not to mention really expensive, PV array just to power a fan powerful enough to ventilate a room.

 

[JBmorris]

well to blow air on me?

 

[derekimo]

well to blow air on me?

Here's something to play with,

How To Make A Cheap USB Powered Fan

Or just buy one,

http://www.amazon.com/ARCTIC-USB-Po...Solution/dp/B003XN24GY/ref=zg_bs_3015416011_1

 

[JBmorris]

no thanks, but I could cut a usb cable and hook it up to the CPU fan.

 

[JBmorris]

Air conditioner or ventilation fan? There is no way in this universe you will ever power an refrigeration type air conditioner with only 3-6v or even 12v and you aren't going to move enough air to ventilate a room using computer fans. You will need a really large, not to mention really expensive, PV array just to power a fan powerful enough to ventilate a room.

Actually instead, a portable fan.

 

[JBmorris]

I'd say 99% no. Many fans need more then 5v just to "kick" it into motion. At 3 volts you might get 100-200rpm and that wouldn't move any air. Anything running at 3v would probably be some tiny little fan. A CPU fan from 20 30 years ago won't work. A Guy

I have other monitors. Or if that one does not work, I could go to a computer repair store.

 

[DocBrown]

well to blow air on me?

This one doesn't need much voltage

 

[JBmorris]

I've seen one of these before... we use to make one of these. until I forgot about them. thanks but we have lots of fans blowing in our house.

 

[JBmorris]

well to blow air on me?

This one doesn't need much voltage

However, I feel like I want to make this one out of paper.

 

[JBmorris]

aw man, well, going for a 6 volt solar panel. i guess...

I'd say 99% no. Many fans need more then 5v just to "kick" it into motion. At 3 volts you might get 100-200rpm and that wouldn't move any air. Anything running at 3v would probably be some tiny little fan. A CPU fan from 20 30 years ago won't work. A Guy

Turns out i don't need to buy a 6 volt solar panel. I figured out that this thing is high Efficiency and can easily be arranged for larger loads and higher voltage and current loads.

 

[Britton30]

This whole thread seems to be an exercise in futility. Quit being cheap and buy a fan at Wal Mart.