wiring a computer fan to cool amplifier
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=31852
Printed Date: May 03, 2024 at 5:48 PM
Topic: wiring a computer fan to cool amplifier
Posted By: icu400
Subject: wiring a computer fan to cool amplifier
Date Posted: May 09, 2004 at 12:45 PM
ok, i need to know how to wire up a computer fan to cool my amp
the amp is to be located behind the left trim in the trunk of my explorer
what is the best way to get power to the little fan?
pics would help, thanks
Replies:
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: May 09, 2004 at 1:53 PM
The computer fan doesn't run on 12 volts. Just buy a fan made for a car and you'll be a lot better off.
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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: May 09, 2004 at 1:59 PM
Actually steve, many fans designed for use inside a computer case do run on 12v. I've used them frequently in car audio. I suggest to wire a relay that is switched off your remote-on power to run the fans. 12v computer fans use their black wire as +12 and the red wire is ground. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: May 09, 2004 at 2:05 PM
whoops...didn't do my homework here. Thanks for the correction.
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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.
Posted By: bruno71088
Date Posted: May 09, 2004 at 2:49 PM
i have a 12v computer fan in my car and red is power and black is ground
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Posted By: auex
Date Posted: May 09, 2004 at 2:58 PM
Wire a relay to turn the fan on with the remote turn on lead from the deck.
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Posted By: icu400
Date Posted: May 09, 2004 at 4:06 PM
is this the right relay?
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-mBy8SC1KQ7K/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=120E5000
so let me double check this to make sure i got it right:
1) a wire runs from the battery to the 87 slot on the relay. this wire should be what, 16g, 12g?
2) the remote lead goes from the head unit wire harness to the 86 slot
3) the 85 slot grounds the whole thing
4) the 30 slot has 2 wires coming from it: the black wire for the fan, and the rest of the remote turn on lead that continues on to the amp
now, what about grounding the fan, does this mean i have a ground from the amp, a ground from the relay, and now a ground from the fan, meaning 3 grounds now?
double check my work if you could
Finally, what is the best way to mount these fans? It seems you recomend 2 fans, does that mean one to point air at the amp, and one to suck hot air away? The amp will be mounted behind the trim on a piece of wood in the trunk of my explorer. Would I be ok just putting a(the) fan(s) on the wood, or should i cut a hole in the trim and mount it(them) there, so that fresh air can get there?
Lastly, are these things real noisy, or will it not be a big issue? thanks again
Posted By: icu400
Date Posted: May 10, 2004 at 4:24 PM
what about just running an extension of the turn on lead from the amp to the relay instead of splitting it? wouldn't that work?
Posted By: Type S
Date Posted: May 10, 2004 at 5:35 PM
you gotta stick to auex s post with is diagram. learn how to operate relays and you will see what you can do with them. lotssss of things. see ya ------------- If something is not working as planed, Check your ground 
Posted By: Ketel22
Date Posted: May 10, 2004 at 6:12 PM
good computer fans are "whisper" quiet and you wont be able to hear them with your system on any ways. It would be best to put at least 1 fan blowing air across the amp and 1 fan pulling air away from the amp. cross breeze. if you decide to use more than 2 fans do so in even incriments ie. 2,4,6..... ------------- Quad L Handyman services
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