This is just an idea, but I'm thinking of running some wires around my case and into the fan mounts on my Antec fileserver... I'm not sure if you are familiar with the fanmounts, but they don't use screws, they use little pressure clip things... (hard do describe, but easy to find all over the internet) Anyway, do you think it would be safe to add a pin to the clips that go where screws would go, and mod my fan so the power connectors come from the screw holes instead of a molex connector? Basically the idea is to plug in a fan I would just snap it into place... no messy wires to bother with. As long as I make sure the connectors don't touch anything metal, it should be fine, right? Has anyone done this? And are there any tips for making connectors such as this? (when I get home from work I'll photoshop/autocad up some pics and post clearer pictures of my idea)
Just make sure you don't get any + wires in touch with the computer's chassis, and I suppose it will be ok. It seems like much more work to lay out the cables for this and making the mounts than simply connecting the fan like other people, though But the idea is cool, and be sure to post pics if you go through with it.
I was originally going to add a 2nd PSU, but I know it isn't needed, and I'd rather not add the heat, so I want to do somethign cool with my fans. I'll probably use the pins from the connectors I bought for my PSU mod to make the connections, and I've got tons of sleeved wires perfect for fans that will reach around my case a few times over... It would probably be nice after I got it working once, then I won't have to worry about the cables again!
this would be a good idea for side panels so u don't have to unplug any fans u may have mounted on it every time u take your panel off
I've thought about that, but with the side pannel being metal, I'm hesistant to do anything like that. But, fortnately with the antec case it hinges nicely and accurately each time, so this may not be too far off. I just need to figure out how. It will probably be a few days before I get to do anything thanks to school, but I'll post as soon as I get started. Keep the ideas, cautions, and suggestions coming! They all help!
The pc's chassis is already connected to ground so you would only need to run a +ve wire to the fan mount. The -ve connection could be connected directy to the case.
I was thinking about that yesterday, but is it a bad thing to use my case to complete a circuit? And does the conductivity of the case affect the circuit/fans? I plan on making them eventually controllable. I'm still measuring things and trying to find the best way of doing it, so keep the ideas coming, the more I get, the more I get to choose from!
Well, I started my mod to have it connect automatically when the door is closed, so I'm down to four fans right now But, I have decided on how I'm going to do it. I attacked a molex connector with my dremel, and I have 2 normal periferal PSU connector pins coming from the fan that will slide into the matching PSU connector. (I cut the surrounding portion away, so it isn't hard to slide in.) Sorry for the lack of pics, but I don't have a digicam, and I'm not going to borrow one until I finish. The only thing keeping me from finishing the mod is mounting. Any suggestions on how to mount this beast without damaging my side pannel or computer? (My wife doesn't want me to cut the case )
