Super Easy Battery Powerd Computer Fan

Intro: Super Easy Battery Powerd Computer Fan

This is a really easy thing to make out of a bunch of recycled stuff. I had a bunch of extra computer fans so i decided to get some use out of them. Take a look. Sorry if this is not original.

STEP 1: Materials

A computer fan (the bigger it is the more air it pushes)
A switch
A 9v battery
A 9v battery clip (thanks to the instructable on how to recycle 9vs i made my own)
dremel
drill

STEP 2: The Wiring

If you look at the fan there should be three wires. Some other fans have more.

First strip the wires so they dont have the computer connect thingy

The red and the black wires are the ones you need.

If you dont have red and black wires i guess your going to have to figure out which ones are negative and positive.

Wire the positive (red) to the red of the battery clip and wire the negative (black) to the black of the 9v clip

STEP 3: Switch Design

Next i decided to find a place to put the switch.

It fits nicely where the screw holes were so i decided to put it there.

For this step you will need a dremel to cut the plastic so the switch will fit.

You will also need a drill to make the switch fit in the hole.

You will want to drill a small hole somewhere to put a wire tie in

The picture should show were i cut.

STEP 4: Wiring the Switch

Next you will want to wire the switch between the positive wire.

Cut the positive wire and solder both ends to the switch.

STEP 5: Your Finished

Ok now all you have to do is put a wire tie on there to keep the wires organized and your done!

I wanted to put in blue leds but i didnt have any.
Thanks for looking please comment

Comments

[Speedytub]

Hi
Loved the post is cool fan runs off a 9v but as far as the switch, I don't know what to ask for at Radio Shack... Just a regular on/off switch?

[JJA13]

Hey, How long does a standard 9V battery last with this setup?

[SteveB443]

get a car battery or a atx psu or a atx test bench psu

[pjneary]

Do not power a 12 V DC brushless fan with a 9 volt battery! The battery will heat up and explode!

[steven26]

I've discovered a nine volt battery will quickly become too hot to touch. I've haven't had one explode but they die quickly. Same thing with 4 AA batteries(1.5 volts each=6 volts). I have a battery holder for 3 AAA batteries (4.5 volts), which will run a small computer fan but not a larger one, and I just ran it briefly because I feared the same fate. You also can get a holder for 8 AA batteries, which equals 12 volts, so maybe that might work (haven't tried it yet). My interest mainly is to spread the heat from a propane wall furnace in my workshop and make corner fans in the house to move heat from a gas fireplace, avoiding the expense of electrical fans. It's not worth it if the batteries cost more than the electricity, of course, but maybe 12 volts worth of batteries will last.

For Debra V3, everything you need is available at electronics stores, like Radio Shack, including toggle switches, which go between the power supply and the fan to turn it on and off. You also can get battery holders, which attach to devices just as 9 volt batteries do.

[steven26]

Looks easy enough. I'll try it for a heater in my workshop.. Thanks!

[DebraV3]

Where did you get the switch? Could I dismantle something like a toy helicopter remote control and use the slider on/off switch?

[AdrianS33]

I'm currently constructing a mascot costume that will be featuring fans to keep the wearer cool. I have 4 5v fans, 2 of which are 2 inches wide and the other 2 are about 1 inch. I have a 6v battery holder box for 4 AA batteries, and I was wondering if it was possible to connect all 4 fans to one battery pack. However, I may be ordering a battery pack with a switch already attached as well. It holds 4 AA batteries but it's labeled at 4 x 1.5v? I'm new to this sort of stuff, so does that mean it is 1.5v or 4.5v, and if it's 4.5v would it be suitable for 5v fans?

Any help would be incredibly appreciated!

[JoeP21]

Would it help to use a transformer to step up the current to 12v? I don't know how it would work because transformers only take AC current right? And it also would not increase the current (transformers are passive). So maybe to make it safer, you could connect 3v in series with the 9v?

[gavin.clark.73550]

You all do realize if it's a small fan u can just use USB pose a big fan will work two just will be slow

[mrjubjub]

Okay, for one, don't do this ever again two, you are going to blow up the battery because you are using a 12 volt DC fan with a 9 volt battery. After a while, the battery will heat up and eventually (most likely) explode. i recommend against doing this! just use a 12 volt supply

[christopher.burgos.988]

If you run the 9V in series it is fine, use two 9V and run them in series rather than parralel. So esentially U get 18v rather 9v wich will give you enough Volts to cover the 12 needed for the fan.

[dog digger]

No mrjubjub, It will be fine. I've made plenty of these. I can run a 24v motor with a 6v battery. Don't use A23s for this, the fan will drain it in under 2 hours.

[Pointy130]

Say that to the 3 exploded batteries I have from when I did this. The only good thing I got out of it was a manufacturer's coupon for replacement batteries.

[geekdude]

i dont think it will blow up, just turn the fan real slowly, and mabye mess up the motor? it would be diffrent if it was anything other than a motor. of course i could be wrong

[account3r2]

all it will do is make it run slowly. you could se a 23A or similar 12v battery.

[GauravC1]

My cooler fan has three wires black, yellow and green . Black is confirm but wt bout other two >>>> Which one should i use GREEN OR YELLOW?????

[jli5]

Hi, I don't understand this step very well because I have never played around with a switch.
How did u attach the switch? Just cut half way between the red wire (which is connected to the fan and the battery) and just insert the switch in the middle?

Also, what kind of switch is the one in the picture? What kinds of switches are the smallest?

Thanks for the great guide!

[kkitchell]

well either cut the wire or add more wire to it. The switch should either be attached to wires by a screw or soldering. Which of course you probably know it opens the circuit.

[acurrie2]

hello ,
im lost . im doing a thing for a solar project and needed 2 fans one to bring air in and the other for pushing the air out . i picked up a fan it has a double fans, it comes with black , red, blue and brown.
my questions is how to i find out what is the (-) and (+) . clearly there is 2 (-) and 2 (+) but can i hook it all to one battery or should i get two batterys one for each fan?also if its a 12 v dc what size battery should i use to get more then just a couple of hours ?

thanks!