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    Homemade USB Fan ... safe?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by TJB, Jul 10, 2008.

  1. TJB

    TJB Notebook Enthusiast

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    To address an issue, posted today here as well, of my very hot hard drive. I made a usb fan from a desktop fan (connecting the red and black wires). Now the fan moves at slightly slower pace and is dead silent, which is great. My question is,

    Is this safe? For the motherboard? Can I leave this on for a long time without having to worry about it destroying something? (assuming I used all precautions to make sure the wires are properly insulated).

    Thanks
     
    TJB, Jul 10, 2008
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  2. TJB

    TJB Notebook Enthusiast

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    bump (Sorry am new and I can't find the post if this is allowed)
     
    TJB, Jul 10, 2008
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  3. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    Yes, this is completely safe, but you need to make sure of a few things.

    Take a look at the sticker on the motor of the fan. If the amperage is over 0.5amps, or 500mah, than you may cause the usb hub in your desktop/laptop to burn out. USB can only provide 500mah, so if you are putting full load on the hub all of the time, you can destroy the usb hub.

    If this mod is for a desktop, just wire the fan to the 5v line from the molex connector. If its for a laptop, than it will be fine, as long as the load is not over 500mah.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Jul 10, 2008
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  4. TJB

    TJB Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks a lot, my fan says it works at 0.24A (max.) at the highest setting.
     
    TJB, Jul 10, 2008
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  5. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    So you are good to go my friend, just make sure that the wires are insulated and protected, cause if something falls on the wire, it could slice the wire and short your usb hub.
    You can use a straw or something to protect the wire.
    Good luck, +rep for having the courage to mod :D

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Jul 10, 2008
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  6. KGann

    KGann NBR Themesong Writer

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    Fantastic job! Takes some courage to make mods such as this!
     
    KGann, Jul 10, 2008
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