This might be a lost cause, but I'm looking for small & medium (so max 1A and max 2.4A power draw) USB fans without a battery (corded power only) which will last more than 1 to 2 seasons even at a 90% duty cycle. USB fans are a common enough item that unusually good ones may exist, but it's really hard to find any amid the tsunami of cheap trash.
Yes I'm aware cheap DC motors don't last, I have my reasons for needing USB powered fans, please do not suggest fans which use AC power.
11 Comments
leftascenter@jlai.lu · 9 pts · 2d
Buy 5V DC fans from a general electronic supplier, adapt a USB plug on it. Some fans will be rated 12V but accept lower voltage (and turn slower). This will be on their data sheets.
Anything sold as a USB fan will be a gadget.
ProperlyProperTea@lemmy.ml · 6 pts · 1d
The most overbuilt option is probably this: https://www.noctua.at/en/products/nv-fs1
You can mix and match components because at it's heart it's just a PC fan in a custom frame.
HerbGrower@slrpnk.net · 2 pts · 23h
Yeah, without a doubt this is going to be the best surviving fan you can get. USB to 12v if you need it to be USB powered.
ProperlyProperTea@lemmy.ml · 2 pts · 16h
If USB C is an option then 12V USB C PD cables are a thing.
ProperlyProperTea@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 16h
Looks like USB PD 3.1 supports 28V
If you need a bigger fan then Geek Air sells a 12 inch camping fan. It has a battery but crucially it has a DC barrel jack for charging. I personally own one so I can tell you the charging brick has a 27V 1A output suspect a 28V input would work just fine. Or you could make your own charging circuit with a buck converter or something.
Its a solid fan. Not sure what your needs are but it's another option.
I bought it on the jungle website but the model number is CF1SEB if you want to buy it somewhere else.
solrize@lemmy.ml · 4 pts · 1d
5 volt computer fans are a very common thing. You can get good ones with ball bearings (more expensive) that are intended to run in servers for years nonstop.
faythofdragons@slrpnk.net · 3 pts · 2d
How big are we talking? I've got a USB desk fan from a subscription box a friend had, that's basically just a computer case fan in a 3D printed housing, and it's lasted me years.
MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 1d
Arctic makes decent ones (just google "Arctic usb fan"). At least the electric/motor was no issue (i abused the casing much). But not sure if it's Europe only and if that's a problem for you.
scallisto@retrofed.com · 2 pts · 8h
Not a recommendation, but you should look for a big fan, not a small one. The bigger ones are a lot quieter, as they don't need to spin up as fast to push the same amount of air. The tiny fans sound like jet engines, please don't get one of those!
Alternatively, you could go with a fan that you flap with your hands, they usually fold up neatly and you don't need to go looking for a USB outlet. Perhaps not as convenient though
erebion@news.erebion.eu · 2 pts · 2d
Those could put some high voltage into the phone and damage it, just don't.
Sorry for the bad wording, need sleep, lol
borokov@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1d
12V 120mm ventirad fan directly soldered to raw USB-C connector. USC-C cap current to 100mA if the cable doesn't have USB controller, so no risk of electrical damage (in theory).
The fan has maybe 10-20 years old. It comes from my fan box (you know, the one next to the cable box). It's so silent I regularly forgot to turn it off, and it may run for days before I notice 😅