# Which transformer should I use to power a cooling fan?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-transformer-should-i-use-to-power-a-cooling-fan/556076>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 5, 2010, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-transformer-should-i-use-to-power-a-cooling-fan/556076 "2010-10-05T02:02:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-transformer-should-i-use-to-power-a-cooling-fan/556076/1 "2010-10-05T02:02:51Z")

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I just inherited [this](http://www.smarter.com/cooling-fans-heatsinks/antec-low-profile-av-component-cooler-for-media-pc-home-theater-products/pd--ch-2--pi-1332551.html) 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.

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**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-transformer-should-i-use-to-power-a-cooling-fan/556076/2 "2010-10-05T02:38:45Z")

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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.

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**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-transformer-should-i-use-to-power-a-cooling-fan/556076/3 "2010-10-05T02:44:52Z")

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

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**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-transformer-should-i-use-to-power-a-cooling-fan/556076/4 "2010-10-05T07:32:41Z")

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Optimus Prime.

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**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-transformer-should-i-use-to-power-a-cooling-fan/556076/5 "2010-10-05T08:53:12Z")

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> [@naita](#):
>
> Optimus Prime.

Awww, beat me to it.