equipment to power 120v fans

[scsinet]

If you are grounding the fans, then three prong, but otherwise, a two prong will work just fine.
Be sure to look at extension cords. It's often cheaper to buy an extension cord and hack the female end off than it is to buy a "replacement cord" with stripped ends.
Goodwill is another great place. They sell computer power cords for like a buck that you can hack the IEC end off.
Of course, if you can get a 3 wire cord cheaper than 2 wire, you can use that and just ignore the grounding wire if you don't plan to ground the fans.

 

[saltn00b]

the fans dont have a 3rd ground wire, so there is no need or way to ground them, right?
these sell for 4.19 , maybe i will check and see if good will has some computer fans i can use, or do they need a converter from 120v to 12v?

 

[scsinet]

It depends on the fan. Most "computer" fans are 12v. Most people call all of the fans of this type "computer fans" though they are actually "Muffin Fans." Muffin Fans of the 12v variety are what you commonly see in computers, but 120v ones are all over the place.
120v fans do not have a grounding pin. They are usually grounded by attaching a ground wire to the metal chassis of the fan, or by bolting the fan to an already grounded metal cabinets.
So if you do choose to ground them, you'd want to just get one of those crimp on ring terminals and slip it over one of the mounting screws/bolts.
I mentioned above that grounding is an important safety measure. It is indeed, but frankly it is a step you'd see me skip here and there, if that gives you any real measure of the importance of it.

 

[saltn00b]

ok doing more research (and thank for bearing with) the radio shack fans i have are reviewed really bad for sound, and mine are really rusty, with no real way to clean them. they supposedly put out about 35 cfm. so what would i need to hook up some muffin fans? i plan on putting them on the back of a canopy, so water really should not be an issue.
here is something i am thinking about instead:

Type Case Fan
Compatibility Case
Fan Size 120mm
Bearing Type Sleeve
RPM 1220 ±10% RPM
Air Flow 42.734 CFM
Noise Level 22 dBA
Power Connector 3 / 4 Pin

 

[scsinet]

Sure, you just need a power supply.

 

[saltn00b]

just a basic computer p/s ?

 

[almostclueless]

yup, and possibly some molex adapters depending of the power supply.

 

[ifirefight]

PM sent

 

[saltn00b]

so i would need to bolt on a big bulky box computer supply? like this :

below are the features for this one, i need something more to supply power to 4/5 fans?
Model
Brand COOLMAX
Model CA-400
Spec
Type ATX v2.01
Maximum Power 400W
Fans 1
PFC No
Main Connector 20+4Pin
+12V Rails 2
PCI-E Connectors No
NVIDIA SLI Support No
Modular Cabling Support No
Over Voltage Protection Yes
Overload Protection Yes
Input Voltage 115/ 230 V
Input Frequency Range 50/60 Hz
Input Current 10A /5.5A
Output +3.3V@30A,+5V@28A,+12V1@14A,+12V2@15A,-12V@1A,+5 VSB@2.5A
Features
Connectors 1 x Main connector (20+4Pin)
1 x 12V (P4)
4 x peripheral
1 x SATA
1 x Floppy
Features Serial ATA Ready
80mm silent fan design, long life, noiseless and fastest cooling time
Universal connector fits most of branded motherboards
Fully support all Intel & AMD series demand
High quality coated fan guard & connectors are good for conduction
Tube-tide design to tidy the wires

 

[ifirefight]

Thats what I mean.......just go with the regular fans I PMd ya.

 

[saltn00b]

thats not too bad, i have room and can hang it off the back of the canopy.
how do i ring 4 fans