Installing a Fan in my Canopy Questions

[Owen386]

Hey fellow Reefers,

I have had some problem with temperature since adding a canopy, so I decided to drill a hole and install a computer fan to exhaust hot air out.

I just got the fan wired up with an old DC Power supply. First Electrical job and I must say It went good and I hate Electricity!!

My question to the more experienced electricians out there: I`m using a 4.35V DC adapter with a 12V fan First of all is this Dangerous at all? and second and more important LOL Is the fan only working at half power? Should I find a 12V DC adapter instead? Thanks! Pics To come Don`t worry. Still need to run out and get the hole saw.

-Owen

 

[ava420]

yeah its running less power so its not working as hard. probably wont hurt anything but its not as efficient with less power....

 

[Owen386]

yeah its running less power so its not working as hard. probably wont hurt anything but its not as efficient with less power....

That`t what I thought. Thank you! Will try to find a 12V I`m sure I have one around some where.
Just ran out and to Home Depot and Got a 3" hole Saw Wish me luck!

-Owen

 

[Owen386]

Ohhh Wowww Glad I put in the 12v just did and Fan is flying!!! was only running less the halve of the speed with the 5V.

-Owen

 

[wrassefan]

half speed is quieter tho...us use 2 computer fans at half speed blowing in over the surface and the hot air rises thru my 2 3" louvered covers I drilled for

 

[afsportsguy000]

Haha I was going to do this, went to Radio shack and the guy told me there was nothing I could do without a computer.....haha want to post up a DIY?

 

[Owen386]

Haha I was going to do this, went to Radio shack and the guy told me there was nothing I could do without a computer.....haha want to post up a DIY?

LOL what Tha! got mine on ebay for whole 3 dollars!
I could walk you threw it easy! PM ME Though will post A DIY if there is Interest

Done!!!

Check it out http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums...-Upgrade-Build&p=1092667&posted=1#post1092667

 

[JonsReef]

Those fans draw very little current (mA) and 12v power supplies can usually handle quite a few fans wired in PARALLEL (all + leads connected together and all - leads connected together).

If you decide you want/need to add more fans, you should be fine with that power supply.

I've got plenty of tools including a hole saw set and I know you live close so if you need any help with wiring, etc let me know.

How's the toadstool btw?

 

[JohnK]

You just need a "wall wart" of the right voltage and equal or greater amperage. Chances are you have one lying around from somed retired electronic gadget. Radioshack sells a whole range of different power supplies but they are MASSIVELY overpriced there.

Last time I needed one I went to radioshack looking for 12V .500 mah. They had one and it was priced $29.99. I wasn't hearing it so I went home and started looking, in about 10 min I found a cheapo (probably cost @ $7) charger for RC car batteries that was 12V and something like 900 mah. Problem solved...

 

[jjhall5150]

I actually just installed one of these into my canopy to keep my T5 cool.

It was left over from a rack mount PC that I use to use for mobile DJ purposes, before I moved into the Apple realm

http://www.rackfans.com/modules.php?name=ProCool_Custom_1U

 

[JohnK]

I actually just installed one of these into my canopy to keep my T5 cool.

It was left over from a rack mount PC that I use to use for mobile DJ purposes, before I moved into the Apple realm

http://www.rackfans.com/modules.php?name=ProCool_Custom_1U

Nice link. Those look like they would be fantastic for overall tank cooling, and the cost is probably 1/2 what it would be if an aqarium supplier was re-branding them.

 

[Owen386]

Those fans draw very little current (mA) and 12v power supplies can usually handle quite a few fans wired in PARALLEL (all + leads connected together and all - leads connected together).

If you decide you want/need to add more fans, you should be fine with that power supply.

I've got plenty of tools including a hole saw set and I know you live close so if you need any help with wiring, etc let me know.

How's the toadstool btw?

ToadStool Looks Great!!! You can see him in the Bottom right of my recently updated FTS on my Build Thread. Thanks Again! Those Zoas are coming right along as well should be ready to frag soon.

Yeah was definitely thinking about adding another fan using the same power supply Thanks For the Info! Currently I have One Blowing out But Definitely Want another one Blowing In.

Thanks for the Offers just bought a 3" hole saw for like 12 bucks at Home Depot. But I LOVE adding to my Tool collection so....

Will defiantly let you guys know if it brings my temps down tomrow when lights come on.

 

[Owen386]

half speed is quieter tho...us use 2 computer fans at half speed blowing in over the surface and the hot air rises thru my 2 3" louvered covers I drilled for

That is a Good idea. Use No power to exhaust only to create turbulence and work with the natural occurance of Air Rising Very good idea. I would definitely do that if I could drill holes in the top my the canopy.

-Owen

 

[twiddledog]

I drilled holes on both ends of my vanopy and two holes on top..all with fans...overkill since I only use one fan mounted on the back of the tank and my chiller does the rest.

 

[Owen386]

Don`t know for sure yet without more time to get an average but it seems tank is running 1-2 degrees cooler usually hits 82 by now and has not got over 80.5 Which is a great improvement and I am very Happy.

I definitely need a fan on the other side to bring air in and across water. Then I think I will be able to maintain 78 which is what tank goes down to when lights are off.

Which leads me to another question I know how to run another Fan on the same plug, but what sort of wire can I use to make the connection in order to get across the 4 feet to the other fan. I have some "red wire" laying around which I believe to be some sort of electrical wire. I cant remember the project i bought this for. Think I can use this Stuff?

Update: Think i Purchased the wire to run a dead end circut on a Car head Unit in order to activate T.V while driving