TriCool fan - Molex to 3 Pin?

[th0r0n]

Hi,

I have some tricool fans I want to hook up to a fan controller, they currently have a molex plug, with a tab that pulls off, exposing 2 wires, what I need is a 3 pin plug to connect these two wires to, is that correct? Could someone link me to a product on scan please?

Thanks!

[nightkhaos]

Sure, here ya go.

[th0r0n]

Cheers, it wasn't bringing those up on the actual website

[nightkhaos]

Cheers, it wasn't bringing those up on the actual website

Scan's search function is erm... odd. I would recommend using Google. Just remember the site:scan.co.uk bit.

[th0r0n]

Thanks

[th0r0n]

All I need is 1 molex, to 1 3 pin, I need to be able to control each fan independantly

[nightkhaos]

2nd result down, and 3rd, but that is a pass through, so not ideal.

[watercooled]

The third one drops voltage to 7V so not ideal for use with a fan controller. The second result should be OK, you could trim off the female Molex connector - just be sure there is no conductor exposed when you're done.

[nightkhaos]

The third one drops voltage to 7V so not ideal for use with a fan controller. The second result should be OK, you could trim off the female Molex connector - just be sure there is no conductor exposed when you're done.

Ahh thanks I didn't notice that. Should have looked at the description better eh?

[th0r0n]

The third one drops voltage to 7V so not ideal for use with a fan controller. The second result should be OK, you could trim off the female Molex connector - just be sure there is no conductor exposed when you're done.

Is that not 3pin to Molex though? Not the other way round?

[watercooled]

Is that not 3pin to Molex though? Not the other way round?

I didn't give that much thought sorry - it's a good job you spotted it! I think the ones linked are the other way round - to connect a 3-pin fan to a Molex connector on the PSU. You might be best cutting of the Molexes and fitting some 3-pin plugs, as you originally suggested. I'll have a look for some for you...

Edit: I can't find any lying round, and the ones on Maplin are the PCB headers, I can't find the plug but I will keep looking. Perhaps you could ask on the shopping forum if anyone has any you could have?

Alternatively, you could solder the wires to the controller and heatshrink the joints if you don't mind the connection being permanent (or the hassle of doing it).

[th0r0n]

Thanks Watercooled

I've asked over in the Antec forum as this is a bit of a p*** take, people shouldn't have to be cutting their expensive fans up.

[watercooled]

I agree, I don't really like the bulky Molexes myself - I currently have 4 of them chained together and stuffed in a spare drive bay in my nine hundred to keep the out of sight.
Here's the page on Maplin for what I was talking about but I don't know if any are the plugs. If there's a shop near you you could call in and ask.

Edit: Just noticed where you live - there's on in Edge Lane if you didn't know

[th0r0n]

Ta, thanks, I think I've seen the edge lane one, I'll have to shoot over when I've got some time.

The actual molex on the tri cool opens up and reveals the wires within, so you don't actually need to do any cutting, which is nice!

[Pob255]

yes the only way you can change the tri-cools from molex to 3pin is to cut off the molex connector and fit a 3pin plug to it yourself.
although I think the big question is why?
tri-cools already have the switch to change there speed and I'm not sure these fans would work well under a fan controller for that reason.
Has anyone tried a volt mod with a tri-cool to see what would happen? (if not and I have time this weekend I'll give it a go)

If you want the easy access of a fan controller to be able to adjust your fans on-the-fly then buy new fans which are 3pin

[th0r0n]

I may well be doing that!

Could you recommend some case fans please? I've seen the Noctua and the Scythe ones but they're over a tenner each!