Putting a 12v DC Cigarette lighter in my case (or at least the outlet)

[danoedel97]

Hello everyone,

I am almost done with project mancave, and you will see that in build logs soon.

For my birthday, my sister got me a 12oz can beverage cooler to accompany my Mountain Dew bingeing addiction.

The cool news (see what I did there?) is that it can also run on 12v DC, is surprisingly quiet, and pretty much runs on case fans.

 I wanted to run it off of my PSU, because I have an AX1200i, and am only using around 800w under the heaviest loads. The thing only uses 60w  so I am in the green there.

Also, most mid to high end cases have one of these which doesn't fully get utilized 95% of the time.

So here's the plan: take one of these:

Match it up with this magical very legit looking diagram

And hook it up with Molex

Good bye trusty fan tester :'( Its gettin snipped.

Anyways, I already pounded a hole in the back of my case but need some O-rings to keep it in place. It is 2 in the morning where I am at, and this little town of 3000 doesn't have a 24/7 hardware store.....Shame.

I will keep you updated. Any that say this is a ridiculous idea, thanks. I am just doing this for the fun of it, because all my other projects are on hold due to Christmas shipping times. Thought I might share an affordable use for those stupid holes.

[NeatSquidYT]

Are you sure you'll be able to power it off Molex?

(a general query)

[danoedel97]

Are you sure you'll be able to power it off Molex?

(a general query)

Its 12v, and 60w. the 1200i has a digital 12v rail. It can handle it.

Bout time I utilized this overpriced PSU

[Enderman]

Its 12v, and 60w. the 1200i has a digital 12v rail. It can handle it.

Bout time I utilized this overpriced PSU

if you think its overpriced then why did you buy it...

[danoedel97]

if you think its overpriced then why did you buy it...

I got it for half price on ebay, and I have a Rampage IV Extreme, and 2 780tis. 3 in the future to run. Those things are power hungrier than Joseph Stalin 

[JaSoN_XzIoN]

That should work fine, I used to run a car audio amp from my psu years ago.

Also, no need to run to the fridge in the middle of a game

[Enderman]

I got it for half price on ebay, and I have a Rampage IV Extreme, and 2 780tis. 3 in the future to run. Those things are power hungrier than Joseph Stalin 

then its not really overpriced, is it?

[danoedel97]

That should work fine, I used to run a car audio amp from my psu years ago.

Also, no need to run to the fridge in the middle of a game

You......I like you

[JaSoN_XzIoN]

You......I like you

That was pretty awesome, had a sub and 2 6x9s connected to it sounded like a train drove over the roof

[kkpatel87]

Its not really about the wattage, although that is the first indicator that everything will be ok. If the cooler runs on 12vdc and draws 60 W, theoretically it draws 5 A of current (max?, if not multiply by 1.5 so 7.5 A for max draw).

 

The molex connector (TE Connectivivty (ex-AMP) P/N: 1-480424-0) supports around 12 A so you are good there too. Also, depending on how you route it, i would use 16-18 AWG wiring to support ~8 A.

 

My recommendations

• use a bulkhead connector...i despise cigarette light connectors
• Add a switch and fuse to keep your cooler in line

Let me know if you want a wire diagram and parts slection if you want to do it that way. Good luck!

[Ceatra]

And wheres the Dewritos?

 

It's a pretty neat idea but, remember SAFETY FIRST... oh and the refrigerator will only work when the PC is on right?

[Ceatra]

 

The cool news (see what I did there?) 

 

Oh now I get it.

[spwath]

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14658/cig-06/Lian_Li_PC_12V_Cigarette_Lighter_Adapter_w_Dual_16mm_Vandal_Resistant_Switch_-_525_Drive_Bay_-_Black.html

[danoedel97]

Its not really about the wattage, although that is the first indicator that everything will be ok. If the cooler runs on 12vdc and draws 60 W, theoretically it draws 5 A of current (max?, if not multiply by 1.5 so 7.5 A for max draw).

 

The molex connector (TE Connectivivty (ex-AMP) P/N: 1-480424-0) supports around 12 A so you are good there too. Also, depending on how you route it, i would use 16-18 AWG wiring to support ~8 A.

 

My recommendations

• use a bulkhead connector...i despise cigarette light connectors
• Add a switch and fuse to keep your cooler in line

Let me know if you want a wire diagram and parts slection if you want to do it that way. Good luck!

Perhaps I was awful on my phrasing, its a 5000mA max, so that is what I calculated. The cooler has its own fuse and switch in the back.

 

sounds dangerous 

of course it is , would I do it otherwise? naw, much less current than I'm used to. With the thousands of volts I run through my nipples, I have built up an electricity immunity..... totally kidding, its safe.

 

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14658/cig-06/Lian_Li_PC_12V_Cigarette_Lighter_Adapter_w_Dual_16mm_Vandal_Resistant_Switch_-_525_Drive_Bay_-_Black.html

That would have been nice 48 hours ago... Too late now. next time though.