How to wire PC fans to 12v DC outlet [Help]

I got a new computer case, and it came with 2 kick ass fans. If someone could help me figure out how to wire it up I would be thankful. There are 3 different wires on the power intake. They have symbols on them. One looks like this - - - - - - -, while the other looks like this ____ ____ ____ I have a picture, but just in case you cant tell.



The fan is also a 3 way speed. And when I hooked it up the first time it started to smoke It was also on the High setting so it might of contributed. I think the middle is a ground wire, but I really dont know. If anyone can help me out here I would greatly appreciate it.

The long dashes is likely the positive side,
The short dash is likely the speed control that the motherboard in your computer uses so you can leave that hanging put tape over it so it doesn't short out on something. Mine was yellow, some pc fans don't even have a speed control.
The middle wire is most definitely ground or the negative side.

Either way it shouldn't really be a problem whether you switch negative or positive, it will just effect which way the fan spins you can just flip the fan around to get the air flow you want. Here is a quick guide on how to wire up your fans. (I always hated reading a wall of text on how to do this lol)




If you have any questions please feel free to ask I just smoked a fatty with my bro and we drank all the leftover Guinness from christmas so I probably missed something haha

I havent used anything with the middle wire yet. So i tried it out, long dashes as my positive. Didnt work. Switched it so the short dashes were on my positive, didnt work.. I dont know what I'm missing here...
I have some smaller pc fans that I hooked them up to, so they do still work. Just this fan is being a pain in the but.

If anyone could help me, please feel free to chime in. Still cant get these fans to work..

whats the voltage rating on that fan. Probably not enough power running to it.

...here you go man, this should help.

The ultimate beginner's guide to PC FANS

peace, bozo

I've done this, luckily my wires we good ol' fashion red and black.
You should be able to just remove that speed control complexity you've got going on and connect any wall plug to your fan wires and it should spin. All the PC fans in my rig are set up like this, they work great and I love not having to run a PC supply lol...which I did.

FINALLY! It turns out the middle wire was the positive, and the long dash was the negative. I was getting so bummed that these fans weren't working. Thanks for everyones help though.

Ok so im not hi-jacking just bumping the thread I guess..because I need advices BIG TIME! i find the pc fan idea extraordinary! my hat is off to everyone manipulating and using these for in-out air-circulation. the thought of using the correct one confuses me. Having to wire them up and prevent a fire hazard flabergasts me! would an exhaust fan that is used in your bathroom or motel whatever serve a good purpose to ventilate and expel hot air out the top?
then I read this here...
" If you pull exhaust air through an active air blower your heating the motor and damaging the bearings.If you hook it up right and use it the way it is designed to be used it will serve you well.If not? They get wobbly and noisey.A 1000 watter is an active air blowers worst enemy!! Be safe not sorry! "
Really having a hard time with this! We are trying to upgrade my friends setup and since he has kids we don't want to burn his house down trying to wire up pc fans. buying high dollar equipment with space being an issue is out of the question!
that said.. (repetitively) Will a 50$ bathroom exhaust fan expel dead air and heat out of his cabinet? I know this thread has become cold so here I am anyway : )

justanotherbozo said:

...here you go man, this should help.

The ultimate beginner's guide to PC FANS

peace, bozo

Click to expand...

Just what I was lookin for. Thanks bozo!

If your Fan smoked then I bet it is shorted out.

just use an old (or new) pc psu. if using a 12v fan connect to the yellow (12v) and Neutral (black), if 5v connect to red (5v) that works fine for a psu for fans. If you have a 24pin psu use a paper clip to bridge the connection between the green (atx switch) and a neutral (any black).