Desktop Fan

by XOIIO

8.1K2720

Intro: Desktop Fan

In this instructable, i will show you how to make a fan for your desk out of things you might have aroung your house.

STEP 1: Step 1: Gather Parts

You will need:
Computer fans
Hot glue gun
Hot glue
Solder
Soldering iron
Solder
Toggle switch ( see picture )
Posicle sticks
DC adaptor
Wire
Resistors and LED ( see picture )
Your hands
Cable ties

STEP 2: Step 2: Design

Start by making a design for the fans to sit on, then glue it together.

STEP 3: Step 3: Glue

Now glue 3 fans on the bottom.

STEP 4: Step 4: More Glueing

Now gluse popsicle sticks over the fans.

STEP 5: Step 5: Even More Glueing

Now gluse fans on top, try to make a pyramid form, i would have but i ran out of fans.

STEP 6: Step 6: Glue Switch

Now glue the switch somewhere convenient.

STEP 7: Step 7: Solder Part 1

Now solder the positive wire from the converter to the middle of the switch.

STEP 8: Step 8: Solder Part 2

Now solder all of the negative wires ( from the power supply and fans ) together.
Then solder all of the fan wires to the bottom odf the switch.

STEP 9: Step 9: Solder Resistors

Now solder the resistors in parallel, then solder a wire to each end.

STEP 10: Step 10: Solder Finale

Now solder the positive lead to one wire from the resistors, and the other wire from the resistors to the last connection of the switch. Also solder the negative LED lead to the negative wires. It will be somewhat like in the picture.

STEP 11: Step 11: Secure

Now glue the LED to somewhere visible, and secure the wires out of the way however you see fit.

STEP 12: WARNING!!!!!!!!!

Careful! Before you test this device, mind your fingers! The fans will sping extremely fast, i foun out the hard way! They will chop up your finger like a hot knife through butter!

STEP 13: Video

This is a video of the fan.

STEP 14: Mods

There are several modifications you can meke, such as number of fans, size, led and switch.
BUT! You may want to add some weight at the base, when i tried this, it nearly took flight!

STEP 15: Final Note

Thank you for viewing my instructable. Please feel free to post any comments or questions, they are appreciated.

20 Comments

sharlston 14 years ago

are you from the uk?

great ible

XOIIO 14 years ago

No, I live in Canada. Thanks BTW!

grundisimo 14 years ago

where did you get all of those?

XOIIO 14 years ago

Long story short, My auntie moved out and I'm an only child ( YAY! ), so i have a second room full of old computers, radios, basically anything you can think of. It's great for making"green" inventions by recycling.

XOIIO 15 years ago

Since i have posted this, i have noticed the LED overheat. You may want to use strronger resistors

NikonDork 15 years ago

Or you could remove the LED from the circuit all together. A power indicator LED is unnecessary, because you can pretty much tell its on or not by looking at it.

XOIIO 15 years ago

True you can remove the led, i did that for now, but you misunderstood. if you are the forgetful type, it is to tell you if it is plugged inor not. thanks for the comment.

NikonDork 14 years ago

So the LED stays on whether the fan is running or not? Cause if it doesn't, then I didn't misunderstand you and its redundant cause you can see with your eyes if the fan is moving or not.

XOIIO 14 years ago

What it is, when you plug the fan in, and the switch is down, it is on to indicate a source of power. When you put the switch up, turning it on, the LED is off. It is so that you can tell if it's plugged in.

lemonie 15 years ago

It's not very clear what you're doing with the resistors, but if the ones I can read stripes on are what they look like I think you've used too little. Can you clarify what resistors you have on the LED? Also steps 12-15 could be replaced by just 1 without the massive graphic L

XOIIO 15 years ago

Yes, the resistors were too little of a resistance, they burnt out after a few minutes. I will test for a Better combination of them, and update the instructable

lemonie 15 years ago

You probably want 500 to 1KOhm, see what 1K does and go down from there if it's too much. L

XOIIO 14 years ago

Well, i used this resistor combination for a 9 volt battery, i would suggest anyone building this would use 2 of each resistor type, so it would Most likely work for a 15 volt power supply.

lemonie 14 years ago

Aye, but what did you use - one of them looked like a 220 Ohm, and wired in parallel with the other you'd have less than 100 I think?

L

XOIIO 14 years ago

I think i remember it being said it is better to have them in parralel, rather that in sieries, because it extends the life of the resistors, or something like that. By the way, how do you get around so fast, are you always on your computer, like a zombie?

lemonie 14 years ago

Was a bank holiday - I was doing things around the house most of the day. No it's not better to have these resistors in parallel for this application (as you've discovered) L

amayer 15 years ago

I don't really see how this is useful. Perhaps if it had variable speed or an visually pleasing housing.

XOIIO 14 years ago

This is simply a start to anyone wanting a custom desktop fan. when you build it, feel free to add whatever you think is appropriate.