Guide: How to make a LOW/OFF/HIGH switch for your fans

[jchsatx09]

Ok...here is the guide. Let me know if you find a mistake. I had to create a .pdf so people can't change it, therefore the links don't work. But, everything can be found at RadioShack.com. Hope you like.

[squasher]

looks good
the links dont work though

[k3nshin]

nice guide


......but pdf = PITA

[mista ting]

omg *saves this* ! ive been wanting to know how to do this thanks! sticky :D?

[jchsatx09]

Pita?

[jchsatx09]

Here are the parts links:

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=278-767
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=64-3115
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=275-1533

Total cost < $10

Heres the finished product...
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?p=3472597

[Brundle Fly]

Pita?

Pain In The Achoo. :D

[jcw122]

is there a way you can wire it so it works like 7v/off/12v?

[Brad84cnc]

is there a way you can wire it so it works like 7v/off/12v?

to do this you wire the 12v line to to positive terminal and the 5v line to the negative terminal on the switch where the 5v line and ground would be wired to respectfully

[jcw122]

to do this you wire the 12v line to to positive terminal and the 5v line to the negative terminal on the switch where the 5v line and ground would be wired to respectfully OK thanks brad

[thegreek]

nice guide

[walkitiki]

Thats a real nice guide, really good information. It gives me the courage to see if I could rig myself a switch to control lighting. Again, great guide.

[jchsatx09]

Thanks for the comments guys

[Electron Chaser]

Greta Post, nicely done. PM with you address so I can send you that Rheostat.

[Moto7451]

I noticed that on the second page of the PDF you want the output voltages to go to the 5v & ground. Shouldn't that be the 12v & ground? Otherwise I don't see how you're going to power the fan since every fan I've owned has used the 12v line.

[Electron Chaser]

I noticed that on the second page of the PDF you want the output voltages to go to the 5v & ground. Shouldn't that be the 12v & ground? Otherwise I don't see how you're going to power the fan since every fan I've owned has used the 12v line.

yes you are right all fans that come with 4 pin molex connectors always have the wires going to the 12V and adjacent ground. Nice find.

[warlock110]

so, what's the right way to wire it? 12V and ground or the 5 V and grounds?

[jchsatx09]

i did that b/c my tornado is bare wires...i didnt want them to touch

[Susquehannock]

Great of you to share your experiences and make a guide. :thup:

FYI - there are much better sources online for electronics than RadioShack.

Jameco.com - AllElectronics.com

[jchsatx09]

Yeah I know...but I had an itch to do it that day...all of the components I got were very high quality...BTW...that mobo is awesome.

[warlock110]

sorry to ask so many times, but why does 5V and ground for "output" makes it work? should it be 12V and grounds? you told me that it would work but never really explain why :) sorry but i just wanna make sure before i mess it up :)

[SquallRm]

Thanks for making a wonderful explanation, it works well, and i can now hear my HDD
:cool:
http://img149.exs.cx/img149/8075/image0302ff.jpg
http://img163.exs.cx/img163/1420/image0320wl.jpg

[l3ored]

A few days ago, i got a dpdt switch from radio shack, so i could do just this. then i looked at this site to see how to wire it. here (http://www.1728.com/project2.htm). it shows that the two corner terminals were connected and the switch is used to reverse polarities. i ended up exchanging it for a cheaper, spdt center off switch, which works for me. its wired like this: 12v to + wires on the fans. 0 and 5v from psu on the outter terminals, and ground from the fans wired to the center. heres a pic, though not a very good one (looks great when its mounted in my case): http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v320/l3ored/PICT0047.jpg

[jchsatx09]

Thats awesome guys...looks really good...I'm glad it worked for you.

[PietXL]

Thanks for making that guide. Because I'm a nitpicker I prefer more control and will try to make it work with two switches to control both the + and the - seperately. For the + I will use 12V, 5V and 3.3V (aux. pwr.) and for the - ground, 3.3V and 5V. Wich will allow me to choose from 12V, 8.7V, 7V, 5V, 3.3V, 1.7V and off. Even without the 3.3V I would still have 12V, 7V, 5V and off.

Both shown switches have 3 modes.

[man_utd]

Thanks for making that guide. Because I'm a nitpicker I prefer more control and will try to make it work with two switches to control both the + and the - seperately. For the + I will use 12V, 5V and 3.3V (aux. pwr.) and for the - ground, 3.3V and 5V. Wich will allow me to choose from 12V, 8.7V, 7V, 5V, 3.3V, 1.7V and off. Even without the 3.3V I would still have 12V, 7V, 5V and off.

Both shown switches have 3 modes.

WELCOME TO THE FORUMS!

[PietXL]

Thanks man_utd :)

I found out the first switch I showed has a max of 250mA which is only enough to power 1 fan. I'm sure if you go to an electronics store you can get exactly what you need.

I plan on soldering/connecting all the powerconnectors of my old psu to the switch/switches so I can hook up all my current and future fans to it :)

[PietXL]

I'm pretty sure now that the 250mA limitation from my last post is when using 240V hehe, never mind :)

Today I ordered 2 turnswitches (not sure if that's the right name for it), both have 2 contacts and 6 modes (14 contacts in total). I'll use one for all my casefans and the other to replace my fanmate 2 connected to my cpucooler.

[andyl33t]

great guide!:)

[l33tisgansta]

can you hook up lights to the switch. i was thinking Red for 12V, Blue for 5V and White for OFF(Standby) if so could you plz tell me how. i wanna make 5 of these for each fan in my case and one for my lighting. THanks in advance.

[l33tisgansta]

I'm pretty sure now that the 250mA limitation from my last post is when using 240V hehe, never mind :)

Today I ordered 2 turnswitches (not sure if that's the right name for it), both have 2 contacts and 6 modes (14 contacts in total). I'll use one for all my casefans and the other to replace my fanmate 2 connected to my cpucooler.

there called rotary switches http://www.overclockers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/facepalm.gif

[ice breaker]

thanks a bunch for this guide,
was wondering how to go about doing this