Which transformer should I use to power a cooling fan?

I just inherited this from someone. It’s a receiver cooler. It sits on top of a receiver and has two intake fans on the bottom and an exhaust port on the back. Problem is, he didn’t have the transformer for it. It calls for a 12v 1amp transformer. I have a bunch laying around the house, but they are all under or over powered on both volts and amps. My two best bets are a 18v/1111mA or a 19v/3.42a laptop transformer. Both of them make the unit run just fine. The unit, as far as I can tell is pretty basic. Two fans, a high/low/off switch and a few blue LEDs. Do I have to worry about burning anything out running it with 50% more volts then it asks for? And, what’s the worst that can happen, would it just stop working or is there a fire hazard?

I also have a .5v transformer but the fans don’t spin very fast with that one.

the voltage should be the same, but if the power supply can supply more current than the unit needs then there’s no problem. IOW, if the device wants a 12V, 0.5A supply, connecting a 12V 1.0A supply won’t hurt anything 'cos the device won’t draw more current.

In your case, you’re over-volting the cooler by 33% (16V) or 58% (19V) so I wouldn’t be surprised if the fans die before too long.

the fans would run fast and wear out sooner. a 12V transformer at 1 to 2A in inexpensive.

Optimus Prime.

Awww, beat me to it.