Computer case fan in humidor help

Angry_Pirate · 08-11-2011, 02:57 AM

Does anyone know of a way to power a fan from a computer case inside the humidor to keep the temp down? I have an extra 450 watt psu from my old computer I could power the fan with but that is kind of overkill. I know I cant wire it to a wall outlet because it will burn it up. (I'm no electrician) My humidor is not huge so I cant fit a big fan inside and i really don't want to drill a hole in my humidor to run a cord in. Any help would be great!! Thanks!!!

RGD. · 08-11-2011, 06:19 AM

First - because you won't have a transfer of air from inside to outside of the humidor you won't be lowering the temp. Fans inside of humidors are used for circulation.

Second - you know those wall transformers that you have laying around from old telephones, chargers, etc. Use one of those. Your computer fan will either run on 5 or 12 volts. Just find a transformer with roughly the correct output and there ya go.

Ron

Bill86 · 08-11-2011, 06:20 AM

I suppose you could drill a tiny hole in the humidor and glue it afterwords....powering the fan I use a radio shack plug in deal (normal 3 plug wall outlet with selectable voltage) on my CPU fanned router

You would have to check the volts it takes to power whatever fan you would use, which isn't hard. I'd get an interchangable power source though.

Looks like it is taking 12V to power my CPU fan, it's a beast though

For the record I never did this to a humidor, but I did power a CPU fan and mount it on my router.

CueTheMusic · 08-11-2011, 09:14 AM

I have one of these and it works great: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812123309

I use it with some cpu fans for creating exhaust airflow in my entertainment center though.

08-12-2011, 10:37 AM

If you can find a variable voltage regulator, you can adjust the speed of the fan by varying the input voltage. Then, you can add a digital timer before the voltage regulator and have it come on for a few minutes at preset times!

CigarNut · 08-12-2011, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGD.

First - because you won't have a transfer of air from inside to outside of the humidor you won't be lowering the temp. Fans inside of humidors are used for circulation....

Ron

This is absolutely correct. Further, if you put the transformer inside the humidor you will be adding a heater which will just make things worse.

I'm a believer in circulation but you should take care of the heat problem first. What kind of temps are you seeing?

DBall · 08-12-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audio1der

If you can find a variable voltage regulator, you can adjust the speed of the fan by varying the input voltage. Then, you can add a digital timer before the voltage regulator and have it come on for a few minutes at preset times!

I need to figure out how to do this... I have three fans in my tower that I can't turn on because they are just too damned powerful.

Bill86 · 08-12-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBall

I need to figure out how to do this... I have three fans in my tower that I can't turn on because they are just too damned powerful.

I believe you are looking to do something like this...... (different application though

)

I apologize for the somewhat crude Iphone4 pictures.

We burn up a lot of routers, so here you have it, a super cooled router. I took an old CPU fan and a desktop humidor tray (don't worry the desktop is broken) and used it to mount a router.

The router is powered by a Radioshack 3V-12V. A couple wire splices and some hot glue to insure it stays...bingo job done, sure it ain't pretty but it works.

The Radio shack 3V-12V (it took all 12 Volts

)

markem · 08-12-2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBall

I need to figure out how to do this... I have three fans in my tower that I can't turn on because they are just too damned powerful.

Make sure that the fans are able to run at variable speeds, first. Bill pointed out the radio shack option, which is pretty good, IMO. If you can find an electronics supply place near you, go in with the fans and explain what you want to do. They should have everything that you need.

A quick google says that these folks may be worth a call, Dan:
http://www.cedbaldwinhall.com/
6552 Ridings Road
Syracuse, NY 13206-1213
(315) 463-9251

J0eybb · 08-12-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CueTheMusic

I have one of these and it works great: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812123309

I use it with some cpu fans for creating exhaust airflow in my entertainment center though.

This is the easiest solution.

shilala · 08-12-2011, 11:54 AM

Dan, there are tons of fans with three speed trimpots on them that you can just crank down and ease the airflow. Antec makes a bunch of three speed deals that I use.

OP, I think your wording about temps threw me off, but I think you just want the transformer outside to keep the heat down? I'm guessing that because the fans themselves will generate heat if they're on all the time. Minimal if you put them on a timer to stir a bit.
I made a box that controls all the lights and fans in my display humidor. It's powered by a psu, it works great.

Angry_Pirate · 08-12-2011, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CigarNut

This is absolutely correct. Further, if you put the transformer inside the humidor you will be adding a heater which will just make things worse.

I'm a believer in circulation but you should take care of the heat problem first. What kind of temps are you seeing?

74-75 degrees and I moved from a shelf to on the floor in front of an ac vent with no temp change. I thought this might cool it down since heat rises but it didn't work.

RGD. · 08-12-2011, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angry_Pirate

74-75 degrees and I moved from a shelf to on the floor in front of an ac vent with no temp change. I thought this might cool it down since heat rises but it didn't work.

For how long has it been in front of the vent? It's going to take awhile - days.

Suggest something along the lines of those plastic ice packs, dry-ice, etc. Have a basement or furnace (central A/C )room? Try moving it to one of those areas.

Ron

Angry_Pirate · 08-12-2011, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGD.

For how long has it been in front of the vent? It's going to take awhile - days.

Suggest something along the lines of those plastic ice packs, dry-ice, etc. Have a basement or furnace (central A/C )room? Try moving it to one of those areas.

Ron

It's been in front of the vent for about 2 weeks now..I have central air. Good idea about the ice packs I may try them. I have a basement but don't really want to move it down there. Thanks for the help!

CigarNut · 08-12-2011, 07:12 PM

Be careful with icepacks as they can produce condensation. If your cigars are smoking OK then 74-75 degrees is not that bad...

Barcode · 08-12-2011, 07:20 PM

I just use an Oust Fan in mine.

Jasonw560 · 08-16-2011, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barcode

I just use an Oust Fan in mine.

Yeah, but they quit making Oust fans a couple of years ago.

08-11-2011, 02:57 AM	#1
Angry_Pirate Traveler Join Date: Dec 2010 First Name: J.T. Location: Indiana Posts: 903 Trading: (40)	Computer case fan in humidor help Does anyone know of a way to power a fan from a computer case inside the humidor to keep the temp down? I have an extra 450 watt psu from my old computer I could power the fan with but that is kind of overkill. I know I cant wire it to a wall outlet because it will burn it up. (I'm no electrician) My humidor is not huge so I cant fit a big fan inside and i really don't want to drill a hole in my humidor to run a cord in. Any help would be great!! Thanks!!!

08-11-2011, 06:19 AM	#2
RGD. God Like Status Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ron Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 971 Trading: (1)	Re: Computer case fan in humidor help First - because you won't have a transfer of air from inside to outside of the humidor you won't be lowering the temp. Fans inside of humidors are used for circulation. Second - you know those wall transformers that you have laying around from old telephones, chargers, etc. Use one of those. Your computer fan will either run on 5 or 12 volts. Just find a transformer with roughly the correct output and there ya go. Ron

08-11-2011, 06:20 AM	#3
Bill86 Snob Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Bill Posts: 6,704 Trading: (67)	Re: Computer case fan in humidor help I suppose you could drill a tiny hole in the humidor and glue it afterwords....powering the fan I use a radio shack plug in deal (normal 3 plug wall outlet with selectable voltage) on my CPU fanned router You would have to check the volts it takes to power whatever fan you would use, which isn't hard. I'd get an interchangable power source though. Looks like it is taking 12V to power my CPU fan, it's a beast though For the record I never did this to a humidor, but I did power a CPU fan and mount it on my router. __________________ I'm drunk......but I'll get drunker! - Doug Stanhope

08-11-2011, 09:14 AM	#4
CueTheMusic Still Watching My Back Join Date: May 2009 First Name: Jeremy Location: Surrounded by corn Posts: 81 Trading: (2)	Re: Computer case fan in humidor help I have one of these and it works great: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812123309 I use it with some cpu fans for creating exhaust airflow in my entertainment center though.

08-12-2011, 10:37 AM	#5
audio1der Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Computer case fan in humidor help If you can find a variable voltage regulator, you can adjust the speed of the fan by varying the input voltage. Then, you can add a digital timer before the voltage regulator and have it come on for a few minutes at preset times!

08-12-2011, 11:54 AM	#11
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	Re: Computer case fan in humidor help Dan, there are tons of fans with three speed trimpots on them that you can just crank down and ease the airflow. Antec makes a bunch of three speed deals that I use. OP, I think your wording about temps threw me off, but I think you just want the transformer outside to keep the heat down? I'm guessing that because the fans themselves will generate heat if they're on all the time. Minimal if you put them on a timer to stir a bit. I made a box that controls all the lights and fans in my display humidor. It's powered by a psu, it works great. __________________

08-12-2011, 07:12 PM	#15
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,042 Trading: (111*)	Re: Computer case fan in humidor help Be careful with icepacks as they can produce condensation. If your cigars are smoking OK then 74-75 degrees is not that bad... __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.

08-12-2011, 07:20 PM	#16
Barcode Adjusting to the Life Join Date: May 2010 First Name: Tom Location: Everett, WA Posts: 477 Trading: (16)	Re: Computer case fan in humidor help I just use an Oust Fan in mine.