Fan connector modding?

[qazwsx]

Ive just bought 2 case fans to find out I only have 1 3 pin fan header!. Does anyone know how to change the 3 pin connector so I can power it useing a molex?

[gvblake22]

There are lots of adapters around. Do your fans have a 4-pin molex connector? What are you trying to connect them to, the 3-pin header on your motherboard? Please describe your situation with a little more detail so we can point you in the right direction...

[Reloadron]

Your motherboard uses two fan connectors. The first is for the CPU and that is a 4 pin connector self explanatory and I am sure in use. The second is labeled CHA_FAN1 and that is the chassis fan connector I believe you are refrencing? Likely in a corner of the board? That is a 3 pin fan connector with a tachometer return pin of the 3 pins. That should take care of one of your fans.

Next you want an adapter as gvblake22 points out. That will take any 4 pin standard Molex connector as used for your drives and adapt it to a basic fan. They are very common and many fans include them. The downside of this is that you don't have speed control over the fan.

They look like this:

Newegg.com - Link Depot POW-ADT-3P4 Power 4 pin adapter to 3 pin fan adapter - Retail

or this:

Newegg.com - GENERIC 4PIN/3PIN ADAPTER Fan 3-Pin to 4-Pin Connector Adapter - OEM

Thinking that is what you have in mind?

Ron

[qazwsx]

no Im useing the one on the motherboard so I need to change the 3-pin into a molex but I dont really want to buy an adapter, just put in a molex (ive got all the stuff to do it) but I dont know which wires to use!

[gvblake22]

Again, gazwsx, please be more specific on what connectors are on your fans and what you are trying to connect them to. It's hard to understand what exactly you want to do and I don't want to tell you to cut the red wire on the 3-pin when it should be the yellow wire on the 4-pin molex, ya know?

[qazwsx]

ok i'll be more specific on the problem

I bought 2 fans. Each one came with a 3-pin connector. that was all. NO adapters, nothing. I only have one 3pin mobo connector so I used that for 1 fan. I want to power the other fan useing a molex but I dont know how to.

I just need to know how I can power it useing a molex

[garetjax]

Originally Posted by qazwsx

no Im useing the one on the motherboard so I need to change the 3-pin into a molex but I dont really want to buy an adapter, just put in a molex (ive got all the stuff to do it) but I dont know which wires to use!

Okay, I understand now. I have seen this done, but have never done it myself. If you look on your molex connector you will see the numbers 1-4 on top of it. Each number corresponds to a hole in the molex. I have a pretty good idea which wires need to go where for your fan. I've gotta run home and find it out for you, but I'll post it as soon as I have it.

[qazwsx]

ive got loads of old molex to sata adapters, could I cut them up and solder the molex port onto the fans?

[Reloadron]

OK, maybe this will help. Looking at a 4 pin Molex connector. You have pins 1 to 4 (Yellow, Black, Black, Red) The Yellow is the +12 Volts and both Blacks are common. The fan likely has a Red and Black (Possible a White) Those are the 3 pins. The Red on the Fan is +12 Volts, The Black is Common and the White when used is the Tach return signal. You want to connect the Red from Fan to the Yellow of Molex. The Blacks are both common and should be connected. That is essentially what the adapters do.

Ron

[qazwsx]

Thanks i'll do that tommorrow, just got to find some screws to mount the fan in a tricky position now!