15V adapter with 12V PC fans

[Jerry Maine]

Is this dangerous? I know people sometimes use a lower Voltage to slow their fans down to make them quieter, and that a 15V adapter would probably increase the wear on the fan, but all I'm concerned about is if going higher is dangerous. I'm not about to risk a fire for a bargain bin $5 adapter

Jerry

 

[Jerry Maine]

I should mention also that if this is safe I'd rather go with it as the extra 3V will help run the fans faster and keep my temp's down. If I drop to 12V my fans will run at 33cfm, but around 40cfm on 15V's. Obviously safety is paramount however, and if there is any danger I'll not be doing it. The seeds have just popped and will be going under a couple of CFLs to start with, so I have a week or so to work things out.

Jerry

 

[Guest]

The 15V is a maximum voltage rating so yes you're are cool using a 12V fan,had it been the other way the answer would have been opposite.You can underrate load on a max voltage or wattage rating,but you cant overrate.To be more clear,you can put a 60 watt light bulb in a lampholder rated at 75 watts,but you cant put a 75 watt light bulb in a screwshell rated for 60 watts,same applies in your situation.You are underrating load as compared to max volt rating,not overrating.EDIT This does NOT apply to HID loads!HID loads must be matched ballast and lamp!(with the exception of 400/430W HID's)

 

[Jerry Maine]

Cool, thanks for the reply. My fans are going to run at 40cfm, giving me 80 cfm for the growbox and carbon scrubber, and another 80cfm for the 250W shielded light, which Red Greenery thinks would be adequate. If not I have space to add more or upgrade the fans I have with same sized, faster (but noisier) 50 or 66 cfm models. So long as I stay under the adapter's Amp limit.

Now I just need to find a suitable power cord for the adapter so I dont have to steal my girlfriends one from her CD player, lol

Jerry

 

[Jerry Maine]

Revisiting this, I bought an AC adapter with adjustable voltage, and Ive read some PC geeks drop the coltage on these fans to make them spin more slowly, hence quietly. Is it cool for me to run 12V PC fans with the adapter set on the lower settings?

Jerry