Oy! I can't figure this wiring out!!

[jbeal9]

I've looked over many of the Q & A's regarding wiring the fan using an AC adapter and still don't know what I'm doing wrong. I got a pc fan from ebay. (Antec Nine Hundred 900 Fan TriCool 120mm) Didn't realize 2 things when I purchased it. 1. It's pretty big and 2. It has a switch to change speeds.
The A/C adapter has a black wire and a black w/white stripe. The fan has a black wire and a red wire and a third wire which has the speed control switch.
I wired the black AC to the black fan.
I wired the black/white AC wire to the red fan wire. It didn't work so I switched them. Still nothing. I moved the speed control switch to all 3 positions.. Still nothing. Any ideas?

 

[ginbart]

It all sounds greek to me. I wish I could help, but maybe I can. I think I saved somewhere on my computer how to wire a fan. If I find it I'll get back to you.

 

[jbeal9]

I peeled back the wire that leads to the speed control switch and I can see there are 3 wires: black, red and yellow. Wonder if I need to do something with those? I have looked at a lot of the instructions and diagrams/ pics. I dont see any that have as many wires as mine has.

 

[lcoil79]

I've never wired one of those myself but I do know a few things.

1. Does your AC adapter have the correct voltage and current to run the fan?

2. Is the fan a variable speed that requires being hooked up to a controller (ie computer) in order to work?

Answer those two first and it'll help you solve the wiring issue.

 

[jbeal9]

Ac adapter is input 120V output DC 12V
Fan has a switch to manually change speed.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230482741351&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

 

[lcoil79]

Voltage might be your issue here. Most standard cooling fans run off either 5 or 6 volts depending on their location in the computer. See if you can get actual specs on the fan from the manufacturer and try to match them.

 

[jbeal9]

Specifications:
Mfr: Antec
Model: DY-AT-12/SC/BB
UPC: 0761345752022
Size: 120 x 120 x 25.4 mm
Rated Voltage: DC 12V
Operating Voltage:10.2V ~ 13.8V
Connector: 4 pin connector with 3-speed switch control
Three blue LED's

 

[lcoil79]

Of course I was accessing that site from my phone, so I couldn't see the specs.

If you're outputting 12V I would hope the current is fine, but what's the amperage rating on the AC adapter?

 

[jbeal9]

Hey everybody.. thanks for your input on this. As it turns out, I went to my neighbor's house to see if he could figure it out. He pulled out an adapter he had in his junk drawer, hooked it up to the 2 wires and voila! It works. So, apparently, the adapter I was trying to use was fried. So, the incubator is complete and now it's time to set some eggs! YIKES!

 

[ginbart]

Glad to hear it.