12V To 7V Fan Adapter (How to Convert)

In this article, I’ll teach you how to make a simple modification that you may use to reduce the noise generated by your fans, which is converting a 12V fan to a 7V by making an adapter.

Stick to the post till the end if you find this matter useful and follow the steps given below accordingly.

How Do I Safely Convert 12V to 7V Fan Adapter?

The overall procedure is pretty simple and easy to apply. You will just need some tools to accomplish the task. Here are them –

Tools Needed

It is necessary to have two pieces of equipment for this task –

• A small jewelry store-type screwdriver (typical “flat-head”)
• A kit of wire cutters. 

You can also use a Connector removal machine to make the process a little easier, however, it is not necessary. In addition, You will indeed be utilizing a multimeter for demonstrating the voltages.

To assemble the adaptor, you’ll need –

• A defunct or inexpensive 4-pin fan
• A 4 to the 3-pin adaptor with four wires connecting the female and male Molex sockets. 
• A fan to modify to 3-pin operation will be used for this project.

Step One

First of all, it is necessary to disconnectthe fan cables from the jump connector as a first action. Enter the Molex-pin extractor then pull out all the pins one by one, starting with the center pin. You can also use a little screwdriver whenever you do not have any access to a removal tool. Easily slide your screwdriver down the right side of the pins and press in the 2 small clips which fasten.

Step Two

After you have pulled all pins first from a fan, you may use the wire cutters to cut the excess wire that has been left here on the fan or adaptor. 

Step Three

If you are reinstalling the wires into that same Molex connectors, definitely take a close check first at clips here on pins before proceeding. These will be driven in to pin, so there is a potential that the removal tool will still have twisted them slightly. You will need to slowly push the clips out from the pin with your little screwdriver, flattening it out whenever required. The picture below shows these clips in their full length.

Step Four

Following the removal of the additional wires from the jump connections, the remaining two cables, the 5 V (red) and also the neutral wire (black) with that 5 Volt, can be removed as well. Continue with the removal tool and screwdriver as well as the methods outlined above.

For starters, if we keep the wires in their current configuration in the Molex connector, you will get 12V. In actuality, you might not want to use it because it would increase the number of cables. However, this will assist you in understanding that the yellow cable is the 12V, and also the black cable opposite to this is the ground wire.

For starters, if we keep the wires in their current configuration in the Molex connector, you will get 12v. In actuality, you might not want to use it because it would increase the number of cables. However, this will assist you in understanding that the yellow cable is the 12v, and also the black cable opposite to this is the ground wire.

Step Five (5 Volt Mod)

You will be shifting the wires along to obtain voltage levels. This must be performed on the end of the connectors where the device is plugged in to ensure proper operation. You will need to grab the pin again for the yellow cable and relocate this to the cables connected to achieve 5 Volts. It is not necessary to relocate the black cable that connects to the ground. All ground wires are used by the power source and are not isolated.

Step Six (7 Volt Mod)

There is a significant chance that the fan will work at 5v, although it is possible that it will not activate at 5 V. On the other hand, most fans will run at 7 V. yet not be as noisy as when they are operating at 12 Volts. To achieve 7 Voltages, you will have to retain the yellow cable in its original spot while moving the ground wire toward the red 5V terminal. This may sound strange, but what this does now is similar to removing the 5V first from 12V in a circuit. If you look at the volts in the photographs above, you will note that they are as follows:

12.08V-5.17V=6.91V

The voltage listed below is somewhat less than 7V as a result of the above factors. Because there is variation in the Voltage levels, the arithmetic does not increase with the Voltage level.

Step Seven

When you have fans with 3 pins for connecting, you could use a 4 to the 3-pin converter as well as a daisy chain many more than you need using a 4 to the 3-pin adaptor. If it’s too cumbersome for you, you might still cut the 3-pin cables and cluster all the red cables together before connecting them straight to the yellow cable with crimped connectors or soldering and heat shrink tube as an alternative. Group all of the black cables again and attach them straight to that same black wire in the same manner as you did with the white wire.

Conclusion

So now you have it: a quick and easy modification that will allow you to power your fans at seven Volts. The entire job should take no more than five to 10 minutes. It is important to remember that this modification should only be used to power fans or lights, as disks or even other devices may be harmed by incorrect voltage connections.