Random hack: Human cooling fan from junk. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: zero_budget_tech
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 05, 2015, 01:04:52 am
content: I feel a bit silly posting this, but on the logic that, if it works, it's not stupid, I think it is probably OK.It is far too hot for me at the moment, and I have better things to spend my money on than a properly designed fan. So I got an old pc case fan, stripped the wires, wrapped the black round the outer conductor of a random 12v wallwart plug, taped it up, then stripped the red, poked it inside, and taped it. Stuck the fan on my desk with blue tack.It is awesome. I spent nothing, and I am no longer soaked with sweat.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2015, 01:29:26 am
content: It's under 10 degree celsius here, so put us down for two once you have added the heating element.Muttley

author: Len
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2015, 01:47:26 am
content: Quote from: Muttley Snickers on July 05, 2015, 01:29:26 amHere is the compatible heating element.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2015, 06:08:24 am
content: I have been using 120mm mains fans like that for a long time. After a while I added the wire finger guard on the inlet side, got tired of using superglue to stick the finger back together, and broken blades are horrid to balance again.

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2015, 06:20:28 am
content: That is probably a pretty common hack for this crowd.I have exactly such a rig (including the power kludge) sitting on my office desk.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2015, 06:37:38 am
content: A candle as the heating element doesn't work either for those about to try, it's 5 degree's here now so hurry up.Muttley

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2015, 02:18:28 pm
content: I actually bought a 120mm Delta fan just for that use. It's far superior to an ordinary desk fan in both performance and efficiency.

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2015, 03:49:02 pm
content: When the cheap-arse 6" desk fan I used for solder fume dispersal burned out it was replaced with a 120mm case fan. I made a little wooden bracket which fits the old spring clamp and mounted a power inlet jack and a local switch - power is tapped off the 12V supply for the under-desk lighting.It's smaller, quieter and more efficient:

author: void_error
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2015, 06:18:01 pm
content: I've been using these three fans taken out of some old PC power supplies for the last few years during hot summer days (>30C).They're about 20 years old but they still work. Add DC jack, hook them up and you're done.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2015, 06:56:03 pm
content: whats wrong with you guys !. If your going to do it, do it large... better still get a swamp cooler going.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2015, 07:21:44 pm
content: Higher airflow here....https://flic.kr/p/w9zd2

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2015, 07:32:59 pm
content: Shrimpy.Now this is a fan:

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2015, 07:37:22 pm
content: Thats better, now we are getting somewhere, but will we be able to charge our mobiles with them too.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2015, 07:39:55 pm
content: Quote from: rolycat on July 05, 2015, 07:32:59 pmYes, buy I did work on the ATAR, and seeing the demilitarisation they underwent it is sad.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2015, 08:00:17 pm
content: Would i get a slap if i said this is the coolest thread today, even if some of the suggestions would send a chill down me if used...

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2015, 08:42:40 pm
content: Quote from: Deathwish on July 05, 2015, 08:00:17 pmActually, I think with all this off-topic hot air the thread's starting to get a bit windy. Maybe we should cool it before we fan any flames

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2015, 08:48:37 pm
content: Very, very common technique...

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2015, 12:06:54 pm
content: i dont think its common for people who can afford multiscreen multidso multigadgets (while they still only have 1 brain to process all) to use junk cooling fan... anyway i use ceiling fan at minimum speed (i hate blazing speed wind blowing at my face) and open window and door and mosquito spray at 8pm - 5am lab hour. free energy cooling air from mother nature.

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 06, 2015, 07:43:52 pm
content: "multiscreen multidso multigadgets" is where my money is better invested, rather than purchasing Ferrari branded fans...

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 03:57:29 am
content: Quote from: Mr.B on July 06, 2015, 07:43:52 pmI would have clicked the "Like" button if there was one!

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 03:58:49 am
content: Quote from: Richard Crowley on July 07, 2015, 03:57:29 amThanks Richard.

author: zero_budget_tech
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 07:12:08 pm
content: Quote from: Muttley Snickers on July 05, 2015, 01:29:26 amMine digital currency! I'm not sure how much power is in the noise made, but if 90% of the input power is released as heat, 10% as noise, then as long as the coins are worth more than 10% of the power used, you are operating at greater than 100% efficiency. Maybe the GPU companies could make some deal with the heater companies for the chips that won't work well enough to sell as computer parts?Quote from: Richard Crowley on July 05, 2015, 06:20:28 amGood to know. I guess I just spend too much time around people who would rather throw money at a problem, instead of thinking for a few minutes.Quote from: Deathwish on July 05, 2015, 06:56:03 pmHeh, have you ever actually used one of those? They are awesome. If you didn't already know, they have water jets inside, just enough to make a fine mist. Too bad after the first week some spreadsheet guy took the pipes away.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 07:14:13 pm
content: No I have never tried one, but I can say I have been stood close enough to a number of jet engine exhausts having been a forces child in the R.A.F and played hide and seek with the RAF plod......

author: zero_budget_tech
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 08:34:30 pm
content: That sounds way more fun, but it sounds like a terrible way to cool down. Isn't a jet exhaust hot?That's like comparing lulabye to deathmetal. Ketamine to amphetamine. TENS to 50Kv.

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 09:04:50 pm
content: I'm not convinced that simply connecting a fan to a power supply is worthy of being called a "hack".If it is then I hacked my phone just now when I put it on charge.