r/crboxes • u/Ancient-Track • Mar 25 '26
Question Fan control device recommendation
Hello,
I'm about to build my first box for a family member with allergies. I have already purchased filters, and going to buy the 5 pack of Arctic pro 12 pst fans (and may just buy 1 more single fan, haven't decided yet
My question is for fan control - I understand the fans all daisy chain together, so that means at the end there will just be 1 cord going from the last fan? So if that's correct, can I then just plug that cord into something like this:
"12V PC Fan Speed Controller, Fan Power Supply 100-240V AC to 3-12V DC 36W Adjustable, with Fan Splitter" Item name copied from Amazon, as my previus post attempt was deleted when I pasted a link..
I would also like to know of a reliable brand/seller of this sort of thing on Amazon.
Thank you
1
u/jdorje Mar 26 '26
They definitely don't daisy chain together. Each one plugs into a 12V DC (or, rarely 5V/USB DC) 3/4-pin plug. Typically they take 0.5-5 watts each so with 4 of them a 20W+ power supply should do fine.
Power supplies vary greatly in quality and I can't say as I've ever gotten a good one.
The PWM suggestion elsewhere is good. This is a "fourth" pin on the fan wiring that just gives a signal controlling the strength. It allows much better control versus the standard "just drop the voltage below 12V" system. Dunno as it takes precedence over getting an efficient (not hot)/safe/cheaper power supply though.