Amperage on a Fan for a fridge

[Leann ull]

In my never ending pursuit to collect crap from Ali express I bought powerful fans for fridges I don't yet have.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-PFC0612DE-12V-1-68A-6038-6CM-high-speed-cooling-fan-server-for-DELTA-60-60/32254316868.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.hmP7lq

Q: Will I damage them long term by using 3Amp 12V DC adapter v's 12V 1.68Aamp it has on the fan?

[SkiBeagle]

No problem there at all, CH. As long as the PSU can deliver more current than the fan spec, then it will only supply what the fan needs.
I tried out your fan-in-the-fridge idea last weekend to crash chill a fermenter. Normally the fridge struggles to get it down to 5ºC and takes days. I chucked in a small fan-heater switched to fan-only mode, and closed the door. Soft seals around the door took care of the cord. From 20º to -1 in less than 24 hours. Couldn't believe the difference it made! I'm going to round up one of my old computer fans and run a 12V wire into the fridge to supply a DC fan. Thanks for a great idea.

[molc]

Jeebus, didn't think it could make that much of a difference. Guess I'll be wiring this weekend!

[Leann ull]

Thanks for the heads up SkiBeagle.
My experience is based on what I see from Brewpi and I'm guessing heating cooling circuit is on less by approx 50%
those fans are savage btw as long as you dont mind the 6 week wait!

[Ed]

If you got a 220v fan, you could use the power for the light maybe, tap in before the door switch? I presume the small current draw (150mA) wouldn't be a problem on that circuit - something like these?

http://www.maplin.ie/p/80mm-240v-main-axial-fan-yp46a

or

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Ball-Bearing-AC-220V-240V-12025B-120mm-120x120x25mm-4-7in-Cooling-Industrial-Fan-/261684356012?hash=item3ced9a63ac:g:vRYAAOSwiO9Xitdl

I'm not an electrician though, so I could be way off....

[imark]

Those delta fans are noisy as f*ck. Think you'd be better off with a larger diameter fan that will be able to do a similar job at a lower speed and less noise.

[Leann ull]

It's quieter than a bigger one I have and blows a gale
It's in the shed so won't be bothering me in any case but yeah wouldn't want that hovercraft in the house alright!

[mick02]

I was interested in this so I grabbed a large CPU fan from an old computer, wired it up and fired it into my fermentation fridge.

I've got a stainless steel conical fermenter with a thermowell.

I pulled up some stats from my brewpi to see how long my beer took to cold crash before I had the fan in the fridge.

I put the fan in the fridge last night and was surprised at how much faster it drops the temp of the beer.

I've attached some screenshots for reference.

[Fal]

I've an old server fan in my drawer that I kept for the same idea, but I wasn't sure of the correct power source to use. I think I read somewhere that you could use an old phone charger to power it.

I've tested it and it works, I was just too nervous to use it in case it was unsafe.

[mick02]

I've an old server fan in my drawer that I kept for the same idea, but I wasn't sure of the correct power source to use. I think I read somewhere that you could use an old phone charger to power it.

I've tested it and it works, I was just too nervous to use it in case it was unsafe.

My safety barometer is obviously not as finely tuned as yours!!!

[Fal]

...to be honest I think there is a little procrastination involved too.

[Ed]

I've an old server fan in my drawer that I kept for the same idea, but I wasn't sure of the correct power source to use. I think I read somewhere that you could use an old phone charger to power it.

I've tested it and it works, I was just too nervous to use it in case it was unsafe.

i think most current phone chargers are 5V - the usb ones are anyway, which may not be enough power for some server fans and if it is, it would be at a much lower rpm (read airflow) than full power. You could use a different 12V supply from something like an old modem or an old external HD or the like, which would give you more power (although also more noise ) - just check the current rating on the power supply is higher than on the fan.

[Fal]

Yeah the charger adapter is 9v and the fan works fine but it might not be as effective. I'll hunt down another 12v adapter somewhere and see how noisy it is.

[SkiBeagle]

In a hotel room, bored - had to do this:
29/12/16 11:04      No fan   
27/12/16 17:40           Degrees    Minutes   Mins/Degree drop
               17:24:00   13.8          1044           75.6521739130435
         
25/01/17 12:08      Fan   
24/01/17 23:40           Degrees   Minutes   
              12:28:00   14.1             748            53.0496453900709

I'd say there's a Nobel prize in there somewhere!

[mick02]

Was gonna do something similar but wasn't arsed in the end. I used all my effort with those 2 screenshots.