Fans + Lights Wiring

[Scorched]

Can they ever be wired together somehow? I really want to cut down on the wires come out of the tank and also because the lights are going to be on a timer I'd like the fans to come on as well. Also will CPU fans work or do they have to be different?

[MGXsport]

Many people use CPU fans.

[CU_Reefer]

Check out noone's post Starting a one galon picoreef.

[Scorched]

Yes, Ive been here long enough to know most people use CPU Fans but the problem is the amps used to run them. Lights and Fans are different. I read Noone's 1 gallon and it was somewhat insightful about using a Monitor 9-pin cable except im unsure of how he wired all his items to it. Did he just strip the wires and run each wire into the pin holes? I dont want it too look like a hack job either. I really want it to look clean.

[Reefer_Buddha]

If you read krackerGs 30" or 20" CSL Mod in the diy section he shows how he wired the fans. I wired in an extra fan to my hood with the same mod. I used an AC to DC output adapter around 300ma pushing 9v. I have an adapter from radio shack that has multiple settings so i can set the fan to run from 1 -12v depending on how loud i want it. I run it on a separate timer and the stock fan in the hood comes on with the lights. You might be able to wire a new fan into the same line as the stock fan and run 2.

[emarti20]

My only concern with the DB9 connector in the picoreef would be running that much power through it. Granted I haven't checked what the ratings are on that cable, but it just seems to small.

 

My local electronics shop sells the same connectors used in PC's for power in many configurations (2, 4, 6, 8, etc "plugs"). I didn't wire everything on one, but used them to create breaks in the wiring so I could fully disconnect all of the wiring to the hood easily for maintenance (2 pair for PC's, pair for fans, and CAT5 for moonlights.)

[1fish2fish]

I was originally going to use a monitor cable as well. The connectors themselves are rated high enough I believe, but the wires are 28 guage on most computer monitor cables. With that in mind I switched my plans from using the computer cables to wireing up some Molex connectors from the local radio shack. They are inexpensive and come out fairly tidy. I could have imbedded the connector in the wood, but decided to have a tail hang out of the back of my hood. The 6 pin molex connector is used to run 4 lines to my two 13 watt PC's and 2 lines to my fan. I've put my ballasts in a gutted computer power supply box and have placed it in an out of the way location. Basically there are no wires visible. I have two separate cables running to the connector from my power supply, but I have used a cable keeper to hold them togethere and keep things neat. Here's the thread.

 

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthread...20&pagenumber=2

 

HTH

[senorpyro]

everybody needs to keep in mind, that nooone used a db9 serial cable, NOT a 15 pin monitor (vga) cable. there's a huge difference between the two, and mixing terminoligy could lead to a major mistake in somebody's project.

[KrackerG]

9 pin serial? VGA cable? for what...you nano has a monitor? you runnin at 800x600? true color? 32-bit fish? LOL! I'm sure its nice to use considering it contained, but you have to look at the gauge of the wires inside... you dont want to use too thin wires...fire waiting to happen. NO to PC ribbon cables:P Plus those cables are primarly designed to carry data signals, not power current. I would use no less than 18awg...

 

folks...2 wires...positive and negative. if you want to wire them into the existing wires running your power compacts or whatever, then you HAVE TO USE a 120 volt fan. Usually very heavy compared to a 12 volt computer case fan. DO NOT USE A 12 volt DC(direct current) fan off of 120V AC (alternating current) power source.