Help with some electricity questions

[calvin_orchidL]

Hi all,

I just had a quick question regarding some terrarium wiring for computer fan cooling. I currently use a 4 channel fan controller that transforms to 12V DC and is rated for 3 amps. My question is, is it problematic if the sum of the fans that I hook up to this unit exceeds 3 amps? I have a myriad of 12V fans rated at 0.17-0.6amps plugged in, and I have more than 4 connected via splitters, soldered etc...and I'm quite certain the sum of the current exceeds 3 amps.

I ask because I want to buy a new controller so I don't have so many splitters, and the one I'm looking at with 8 channels is only rated at an output of 1 amp, which makes it effectively worse for my purposes.

Assuming that I am correct in my understandings of current, and it is bad that I am using this one fan controller, does anyone have suggestions on what a better power supply would be to power all my fans? I have 14-16 fans I need to power. I was contemplating an old computer supply unit, but I don't want to work with the molex plugs, and would prefer to keep everything to the 2pin/3pin connectors, which my current fans all utilize.

Thanks all!

[keithrs]

Hard to give you a correct answer with out knowing the circuit(s) resistance.

Ohms law with help you determine your total amp draw.

Or you can buy a DOM and test DCAmp by hooking the meter in series on the power or ground side in the direction of flow..... In other words unplug your power or ground and hook up the meter... Red lead to most positive side and black lead to most neg side of the part you disconnected... Then run the circuit and you'll see how many amps your using.

[calvin_orchidL]

Thanks - I figured it out. They are all in series - I refreshed my memory with some circuit diagrams and how current/voltage/ohm's law works. Grade 12 physics ftw woot woot.

[keithrs]

How many amps are you pulling on your circuit?

[Bud]

series connection is pretty much safer and easier to troubleshoot(like xmas trees light)...alternating connection is a little bit tricky but efficient in conserving enery

[Ray]

Are the current ratings total or per-channel?