cheap low wattage ac to dc converter

[wfarid]

I need to power a sanyo denki fan (120mm) at around 50% power and I want to plug it into a ac outlet. Is there some sort of converter I can get/make on the cheap? Thanks!

[princeofdarknes]

yes, at radioshack there are variable output AC to DC converters, i couldnt find it on the site but i know they have them that go from its either 3v-12v or 5v-12v, just plug it into the wall and splice a couple wires

[four4875]

i think they go from 1.5 to 12. at least the one i had did, but im not sure if it was a radioshack or walmart.

or you could go DIY and buy a transformer, rectifier or 4 diodes, and a cap for an extremely crude totally unregulated power supply. go wall to transformer primary windings to transformer secondary windings to the bridge rectifier to cap to output. cap COULD be tossed, but the power will get alot noisier. i dont think it would affect a fan that mcuh, but anything trying to run a clean digital signal or audio, i wouldnt skimp the cap.

[Navig]

Radioshack pretty much triples the price. If you have patience, order from an online company, make sure you've got enough amps.

For example 9V 1.3A adaptor. (http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/PS-913/480/9_VDC,_1.3_AMP_POWER_SUPPLY_.html)

You'll need to do your own wiring, however.

A variable is going to cost a bit more, it would probably be cheaper to get a 12V adaptor and wire in a fan controller like a Zalman fanmate.

navig

[Deadbot1_1973]

I have used old brick style wall transformers to just that before. Any old 6v output one should work. I have on old power supply transformer from a set of speakers that puts out 12v at like miliwatts and it'll run a 120 just fine.

[itshondo]

check these out-

http://www.surpluscenter.com/sort.asp?UID=2006021808533928&catname=electric&keyword=EPPD

[Susquehannock]

How about this?

Buy one of these (http://jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&pa=101127CE&productId=101127) for $5.45 and splice the output wire to your fan.

Pretty much what itshondo recommended above I believe. Except my 1.5A unit is cheaper. :D