3 wires

[timlsalem]

Got my computer fans today. 12VDC but they have 3 wires. Black, white and red. I'm thinking white is neg. and black pos. but anyone know what the red wire would be for?

[aggie79]

Not much help, but I believe one of the wires is for RPM monitoring.

Please wait until someone verifies this:
white - rpm monitoring
black - ground (negative)
red - hot (positive)

[Shadow Catcher]

Red is positive black is negative, I think It will only work in one direction so give them a try. I used two of the three speed Antec 120mm fans and they have clear covering on the wires.

[bobhenry]

red is hot

black is not

white is ground

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

if its black and white only

black is hot white is not

[dh]

What brand are they? Have you tried google?

Try googleing, "how to hook up XXMANUFACTURERXX XXMODLE NUMBERXX"

[deceiver]

I put 4 computer fans in my td thinking that I'd be able to reverse the polarity with a spdt switch and have two way air movement.. wrong.

These fans have electronics in them to discourage the reversing of polarity. They only work in one direction.
Also, the white wire is to detect temperature and tell the fan to slow down/speed up. Cut it off when connecting them. It's useless.

[Miriam C.]

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/496

Don't know the author but this might help.

[bobhenry]

I put 4 computer fans in my td thinking that I'd be able to reverse the polarity with a spdt switch and have two way air movement.. wrong.

These fans have electronics in them to discourage the reversing of polarity. They only work in one direction.
Also, the white wire is to detect temperature and tell the fan to slow down/speed up. Cut it off when connecting them. It's useless.

You might try a junkyard 12 volt electric radiator fan

I have done it with a O2Kool fan and it works great. Since the fan blades are oriented one way, in reverse the exhaust mode doesn't move quite as much air but it works well and is quite adeguate for ventilation.

[timlsalem]

I got my fans working fine. Whoever said red is hot, black neg. you were right. Didn't bother with the white, just cut it off. I mounted them backwards so they would act like exuase fans. Will fent them to the outside. With two windows opened these fans will work good to bring air in and exause stale air out.

[bobhenry]

red is hot

black is not

white is ground

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

if its black and white only

black is hot white is not

Your welcome !