How can i modify this and make it work?

Question

I have three pc cooling fans and some light parts. i want to make it so that i can have the three fans and a light bulb plugged into an average house socket, how could i do this. i am pretty sure i know how, but i need confirmation

Answer 1

A power strip probably with a surge protector just in case.

Answer 2

Kelly's right about checking the voltage, most regular pc case fans are 12 volt, but CPU fans can sometimes be 5 volt.  If the fan does not have the voltage written on it, then the way to tell is the type of connector on the fan.  If the connector looks the same as the connector used for your CD-ROM drive or the smaller connector intended for a floppy drive, then it's a 12 volt fan.  If the connector is much smaller and intended to connect to the motherboard, then it's a 5 volt fan.

I suppose the easiest way to power the 12 volt fans would be hook it them to a small PC power supply which already has the right connectors.

If it's the 5 volt variety you'll have to do some splicing...

If you want to make it a kewl project, head to Radio Shack.  The geeks who work there will be more than happy to help you on a project like this.  They've got some decent looking electronic project boxes there, and every type of power supply you could ever want.  

I think I'd probably buy a large project box, punch-out three holes in one side and mount the fans to the inside of the holes.  Mount the proper power supply inside the box and wire it directly to the fans.  Punch a hole for a switch and run the AC power for the power supply through the switch.  Punch and mount the light between the switch and power supply (if it's an AC light) or between the power supply and fans (if it's a DC light).  Then knock-out a number of inlet holes in the side opposite the fans.  To be safe, you may want to put an inline fuse on the AC line between the switch and the power supply.  Also for safety, use a 3-prong cord and land the ground wire on a s***w in the box.  

Seriously, the geeks at Radio Shack would enjoy helping you with this.

I went to a lake boating for a weekend get-a-way and forgot the power supply for my Koolatron electric ice chest (for keeping the beer cold).  Radio Shack didn't have any power supplies with enough current capacity (amps) so the geek there built me one with a project box, an AC transformer and some diodes he soldered together into a bridge rectifier.  He built it for me while I ran to get a pizza and didn't even charge me for the labor.

Answer 3

Check the voltage requirements of the fans and ensure they are all the same, most pc fans are 12V DC so you will therefore need a transformer (120V - 12VDC).

The Amperage required will be the total combined demand of all 3 fans, eg: 230mA x 3 = 690mA So a transformer with around 800mA (0.8A) will be fine.