Computer fans are used to cool down hardware that is suffering from overheating issues, to prevent damage occurring and to increase the lifespan of it. The computer fans work the same as desk fans do, as they have blades that spin that create air flow. If you have a spare computer fan lying around the house, you can make into a desk fan with a few simple modifications. Computer fans operate on a 12 volts line, which is usually provided by the motherboard or directly from the power supply unit. For the power source, you can use a spare USB port on your computer. A USB port can provide a maximum voltage of 5 volts, which is sufficient enough for your fan to power up. Not only can use this fan you make with your computer, you can also use it using a PS3 or Xbox 360 console because it also has USB ports integrated into the system. To make the fan, all you need is a USB cable of some sort which has connector and wire, as well as a few tools to create your very own desk fan.
1) Use a pair of 'Wire Strippers' to remove the plastic insulation coating from the USB wire. You will see 4 different colored small sized wires. The wires that the fan will require are the 'Red' color wire, which is the 5 volts line and the 'Black' wire for the ground. So remove the insulation of both of them wires and using a scissors, snip the other two remaining wire because you will not need them.
2) Most computer fans have three different color wires, known as a '3 Pin Connector' fan. A 'Red' wire, which is the 'Positive', a 'Black' wire, which is the 'Negative' and a 'White' color wire, which is called a 'Taco' wire, which is used to tell the motherboard the RPM speed of the fan. The only two wires you need it the red and black wires, you don't need the white color wire, so using a scissors snip it off.
3) You will need to make the connections from the fan to the USB wire. So grab both the 'Red' wire from the fan and the 'Red' color wire from the USB wire and connect them together by twisting there copper braids. Then connect the 'Black' wire from the fan onto the 'Black' wire on the USB wire. Once you have made all the connections, using some insulation tape, cover the exposed copper braids up of the wires to prevent any short circuits happening.
4) Power on your computer, so the power supply unit can provide power to the USB ports on your computer. Then insert the USB wire connector into any spare USB port on your computer, i would suggest that the front panel USB ports are more convenient. Your computer fan will now be powered up by the USB port and will be blowing cool air out!
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