Stay Cool This Summer: PC Fan Mod

Who does not have a dozen of those PC Fans laying around? In this build I will show you how to use those fans to produce a nice adjustable breeze during hot summer days. And it runs at least 4 hours with an ordinary 9V battery.

Step 1: Watch the Video!

The video gives you a pretty nice overview on how to build this mod. But I am going to give you some extra information in the next steps.

Step 2: Order Your Parts!

Here is the small parts list with example sellers (affiliate links):

Ebay:

1x NE555:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x BC547:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x 1kΩ Resistor (1/4W):http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

3x 1N4007 Diode:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 10kΩ Potentiometer (linear):http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x 2.2nF Capacitor:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 10nF Capacitor:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x Battery Clip:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?..

Amazon.de:

1x NE555:http://amzn.to/1kQM9UX
1x BC547: http://amzn.to/1wWRbVs

2x 1kΩ Resistor (1/4W): http://amzn.to/1A2KZzi

3x 1N4007 Diode: http://amzn.to/1A2KZzi

1x 10kΩ Potentiometer (linear): http://amzn.to/1A2KZzi

2x 2.2nF Capacitor: http://amzn.to/1A2KZzi

1x 10nF Capacitor: http://amzn.to/1A2KZzi

1x Battery Clip: http://amzn.to/1A2KZzi

Aliexpress:

1x NE555:https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTrUY9D

1x BC547:https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dSqRC3z

2x 1kΩ Resistor (1/4W):https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTPpXjt

3x 1N4007 Diode:https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dYR45Bh

1x 10kΩ Potentiometer (linear): https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dX83GAF

2x 2.2nF Capacitor:https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dU4FEsB

1x 10nF Capacitor:https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dU4FEsB

1x Battery Clip:https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d6x6Uq7

Step 3: Build the Circuit!

Here is the schematic for the circuit. I recommend to build the circuit on a breadboard first. And then move it over to the sides of the fan. But it is a pretty simple circuit and perfect for beginners.

Step 4: Success!

There you go! Now you can refresh yourself pretty easily with only a 9V battery.

Feel free to check out my Youtube channel for more awesome projects:

http://www.youtube.com/user/greatscottlab

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for news about upcoming projects and behind the scenes information.

https://twitter.com/GreatScottLab

https://www.facebook.com/greatscottlab

Comments

[BrynM3]

bit confused with the diagram

[saadland]

hi, did you manage to reproduct the project??I am also confusedwith the diagram. I connected everything as in the schematic, but it is not working.

[haroun]

Will this work with a 12-14 volt input, ie, in a car?

[GreatScottLab]

Yes!

[EduardoP54]

Hallo Great Scott! I'm building a cooled laptop stand but ím planing on using my fans to fuul capacity, i.e., 12 V. Does this higher voltage input require any changes to the circuit? Either capacitance or resistor values?

[rawat006]

can NE555 works properly if we use 12V in the same design?

[BrynM3]

is the ground the negative because where does the negative go

[wiryadiu]

If my Fan is 24 Volts and input Volt is 24 Volt, what changes are needed ? please your kindly advice.
thank you Scott

[Keiichii FranciscoT]

i mimic this projects.. but my power supply is 5volts/power bank... tip29 transistor... 5 volt fan...ceramic cap 2nF and it works excellent! :)

i use different components cuz some of it are not available or out of stock on our local electronics store...

[yossef987]

Can i use a Ne555N instead?

[jpmorgan34]

I used the same designee and I 3d printed a case for it. Thanks so much for this awesome demo works great

[HiExplosives99]

Sorry for such a late request, but could you possibly post the files for the 3d printed case on Thingiverse, or a similar site? That is, if you still have them of course.

[dansassin]

Something worth noting is that some fans (including the one I tried) have a voltage cutoff point, where it will not spin at all if it is too low. For the fan I used, it happened to be around 8 V before cutting out, which caused a lot if confusion for me.

For simply testing the circuit, I'd suggest hooking it up to a bare motor with no internal circuity.

[ahmedsidd]

pls can you tell how much volts does the 2.2 and 10 nf are??????

[SebastianB43]

they are capacitors not volts.

[pradyumna s nadig]

greatt Scott u do great videos n I suggest u to do an laser security alarm for your next project so can you do this project for me

[theGiallo]

Thanks for this instructable! I've learned about the existence of PWMs! :P
I bought this LED dimmer for 3.57€ and tried it out on some PC fans.
http://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B00DSG4QLC
The fan slows down, but makes noise, as if the frequency of the PWM was too low. Is it possible?
For now I have no speed regulation. Uh, I'm using a 12V 1A DC power adapter.

[GreatScottLab]

The frequency of the signal is hearable due to the vibrations of the coils of the fan. You would need to increase the frequency. But that is not possible with such a product.

[theGiallo]

Hmm. Thanks!

[teddy_ho]

i think we can use more cheap battery charger AA 1.5v, using dc to dc step up module to get 9v, how about that ??