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DIY USB Cooling Fan (VIDEO)

video DIY USB Cooling Fan (VIDEO)

NOTE: Video version of my famous instructable.

DESCRIPTION: An easy step to step Tutorial explaining how you can build a "USB Cooling Fan" for your notebook/desktop/whatever from an old or broken cd-rom drive. Enjoy

You can check this video on metacafe or my channel for other "how to" videos.

25 comments

Apr 16, 2008. 7:40 AMfwjs28 says:

how many v is the keyboard cable???

Aug 20, 2011. 3:44 PMPINKmonster325 says:

Yeah... Its 5 (DC)

May 11, 2008. 11:48 AMroelor says:

the usb port outputs 9 volts if im correct.

May 11, 2008. 2:16 PMfwjs28 says:

actually its 5v if IM correct

Sep 29, 2008. 7:30 PMmasterchrisx3 says:

dc or ac

Apr 16, 2008. 7:42 AMfwjs28 says:

i found a motor in my crappie cd player(acutually 2) and the one that moves the laser is the one i pulled out and it says on the sided/v 5.9...will the usb keyboard suffice for that power?

May 16, 2008. 8:20 PMbigt4616 says:

i read somewhere that a usb port can put out as much as 2 amps of power because the security setting of the ports is added to gether and only kicks in if the power of all the usb ports are excedded. also, the moter would probably run just fine on 5v if it wont fork over the extra power(but it probably will)

Dec 22, 2008. 10:08 PMCloventt says:

I saw an extremely good USB fan in a mag once. It was basically a 1 dollar fan, with a USB cable and a voltage regulator instead of the battery pack. It takes about 10 minutes to build and it works like a charm.

Nov 9, 2008. 4:49 AMvianka99 says:

what's that on your t-shirt? you.... are..... my..... under.... control.... hahahahaha!

Oct 31, 2008. 3:43 AM

Plasmana says:

YOU ARE UNDER MY CONTROL

Haha! You failed to control me!

Aug 12, 2008. 11:41 PMTheInventor says:

Or you can get a fan at the dollar store!

May 29, 2008. 5:08 AMneardood says:

although it semi-defeats the purpose, you could also get a motor out of an old personal fan, in order 2 save u1rself some effort of making a an from scratch. Alternativler, there are lots of devices that have motors in them... ...133t.

Mar 25, 2008. 11:28 AMMonkeyBoy3217 says:

wow that is cool ill have to build one!

Mar 21, 2008. 2:18 PMpollag says:

Good Vid! Thanks for showing us in a video

Mar 18, 2008. 11:23 AMdfd9 says:

It's good. You could do just as well with a decent motor, but the CD drive was a good idea.

Dec 24, 2007. 8:54 PMAmani576 says:

I built one yesterday. I'd been playing around with building one for myself, and then my girlfriend told me she needed something to cool her off when sitting at her computer (she doesn't really have room for a full size fan). And so, I built this for her. Mine is a little different. I used 16-gauge wire for the support wire and wrapped it in electrical tape. I also took a normal CD and sanded down the outer side to give it a roughed in look, and sanded the edges so they were smooth (wasn't sure how hard it would be to stop or how quickly mine would spin). It was also my first "soirÃ©e" into soldering. So... thanks for the idea. I'm pretty sure she's gonna like it. So... again, thanks for the idea, and the opportunity to learn a skill I'll use for quite some time. GR

Dec 12, 2007. 4:28 PMGorillazMiko says:

this has been on here before, but this is just a video

Dec 11, 2007. 8:49 PMMaxx1 says:

I believe I have already seen this here before!!! Post something new without ripping off someone else. Please !!! A search button works.

Dec 11, 2007. 9:02 PM

BlindSight (author) says:

Hi Maxx1,

If you're talking about the instructable version of this video is mine, and it's there:
USB Cooling Fan from a broken drive

Yes, a search button works :) for you too :D
BTW, I agree with you (I don't like who rips off someone else)

Bye, and thank you for your feedback

Dec 11, 2007. 9:47 PMMaxx1 says:

So WHY did you repost it then?

Dec 12, 2007. 10:09 AM

BlindSight (author) says:

different form, for different people. Somebody can't playback videos or just prefers step by step instructables, somebody prefers a good video. I did it for that, have a good day Maxx1

Dec 12, 2007. 7:50 AMshooby says:

You went to all that trouble, but didn't put a simple switch on it? I know it's easy enough to plug and unplug a USB cable, however I always prefer to wear out some cheap replaceable, than to wear out the usb ports/cards on my notebook. Have to think long term durability.

Dec 12, 2007. 3:37 AMBrennn10 says:

Nice job!

Dec 11, 2007. 8:31 PMirwinner says:

i like it very good use of what would otherwise be trash. although there is one thing i think you might want to fix. in the video you say "isolate all with tape", i think you meant "insulate all with tape"