• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

HELP! Wiring a Fan without connectors - TOASTED my HD!

J

jbright

Member
Ok, this may make me look really stupid... but I don't care.

I have an Athlon XP 1700+ with a Thermaltake Volcano 6cu+ and I wasn't satisfied with the temps (~50 C full load).

So, I got a 80mm fan from an old PS and tried to splice it into one of the cables running from the Power Supply in my PC. I thought Red (+) and Black (-), no problem. The particular cable I used was also connected to my HD (eeek, I know!). I spliced it in and started it up just to see if it would work before I taped up the connections... I tried to make sure the 2 bare connections (positive and neg.) didnt touch, but when I tilted the case to make an adjustment to the fan they must have TOUCHED!? I have no idea really what happened but my PC shut down on its own and then when I restarted smoke started rolling out of my HD!!!

Anyone know what happened? Or at least can someone tell me the proper way to hook up a fan without pins?? Thanks.
 
It does sound as if there was a short somewhere in the system. A couple of tips...

1) When splicing, stagger the positive and negative with some distance between them...like this

+ -
| |
x |
| x
| |


2) Never let laziness or time get in the way of a quality job. A quick fold of electrical tape probably would have prevented this issue.

3) Never splice off the wire that feeds a hard drive or CPU fan.

 
Red is 5v, orange is 3.3, Yellow is 12v black is ground. Other colors are "sensing" wires.

Connect the 12v yellow and a ground black to the fan.

The wires probably touched and backfed through the hard drive. Hard drive = toast. The rest of your system may be ok, but test it well. Get a new Powr Supply. The regulation IC's were probably toasted as well. I would not trust it any more.
 
What are regulation ICs? And can I check to see if they are ok? I really dont want to have to buy a new PS.

Thanks.
 
Running at regular speed 12 volts. Less rpm and less noise 7 volts. Very low rpm and low noise 5 volts.
Keeping in mind that the lower the rpm the lower the cfm's and cooling ability.
Seeing you want to cool your cpu, start with 12 volts and keep an eye on your temps.
Could get a baybus or rheobus to dial in your voltage.
 
You should pick up a Thermalright AX-7 heatsink and an 80mm fan with a 4-pin connector. That should give you a nice range of cooling options, depending upon the output of the fan.

If you really want to know, the "right" way to connect a fan that doesn't have a connector is to:

1) strip the insulation on the last ~1cm of the wires
2) apply some flux to them
3) use a soldering iron and solder to tin them
4) slip some appropriately-sized heatshrink tubing over each wire
5) take a 3-pin-to-4-pin adapter, cut the 3-pin connector off the wires and strip/flux/tin them
6) solder the fan's wires to the adapter's wires (black to black, red to red)
7) slide the heatshrink tubing over the soldered area of each wire, and heat it with the soldering iron until it's shrunk

Or just realize your time is worth something, and buy a shiny new fan for $6 to $12. 😉
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top