Use case fans and RGB strips outside a case?

Zyfiel · June 14, 2017

I don't know if this is the right sub forum, but since it's a mod for my own room I suppose it fits here.

Hello!

So I've been thinking about something lately: Could I use some RGB case fans to cool my room in the summer and also make it look dope? But how would I power the fans? I know you put the fans into a controller to change the RGB modes. But if it isn't in a computer case, where do I power the controller?

Something that I also have been thinking about is putting an RGB/RGBW strip in the ceiling to give some nice lightning. But I run into the same question there, how do I control/power the strips?

QuantumBit · June 14, 2017

Just look up RGB strips, some aren't made for PC's, they come with their own power adapter and everything. As for the fans, I don't think it would be a good idea (Well aesthetically they would look pretty cool) but I think they would be too small to do any good cooling.

Zando_ · June 14, 2017

7 minutes ago, QuantumBit said:

Just look up RGB strips, some aren't made for PC's, they come with their own power adapter and everything. As for the fans, I don't think it would be a good idea (Well aesthetically they would look pretty cool) but I think they would be too small to do any good cooling.

Just get nice looking box fans and mod them with a ring of RGBs around the inside edge. Ta daa! Giant case fan!

Metalshark · June 14, 2017

RGB strips (which I've encountered) will either run at 12v or 5v DC, with 5v being the most common (that I've encountered). Fans generally run at 12v and use voltage to determine their RPM. So if they are running from the same PSU then you'll either have a slow fan or it doing that weird thing when they try to spin and just lurch back again.

So you could use a 12v PSU, a wall wart one or one with a brick, there are lots available but try to get one with a CE/UL marking if getting them from AliExpress. Then you can use a voltage regulator to step it down to 5v for the LEDs. As long as you have enough amperage (plus some headroom for resistance of the cables, etc) then you'll be fine.

It's all DC so you can wire it all up in parallel. Add some digital fuses (self-resetting ones) if you'd like to make sure a short on one bit of parallel wiring doesn't zap you or the components.

Get airflow instead of static pressure optimized ones if trying to promote airflow through a room.

For the LED part at least you'll find lots of help on forums to do with Lightberry, Ambilight, Hyperion, Boblight, etc.

For the 12v fans look at cars, boats and lots of domestic products (intruder alarm panels, etc) for general advice.