GENTLEMEN, START YOUR SOLDERING IRONS!

Let's start off with the bare necessities.



As you all can see - this isn't much ... and won't cost you more then a few euros/bucks either (except the fan itself, which can be quite expensive).
In the bottom left corner : a Papst 8412NGML fan - a worthy contestant for the item covering about the entire right side : a 20W soldering iron, fine tipped. If you throw in some soldering tin and a 3-wire connector (female), you're all set to go!


Since the Papst fans aren't inexpensive, let me take you through the de-assembling of one. It's not necessary you do so, but a lot safer seen the blades are made of plastic (as the rest of the fan). One mistake with a hot soldering iron can trash your fan completely, melting the plastic and thus destroying the aerodynamic form (which makes it operate at a pretty good sound rate, even at +12V).

Step one : remove the sticker and the rubber cap which covers the parts that hold the fan together.



Moving on : carefully take out the first plastic ring (seen here lying next to the fan). Best way to do this, is placing two really small screwdrivers at the opposite sides of the ring and gently work it up. See to it you don't damage any parts you take out since they're all needed to make the fan rotate properly again.



Next up : the tiny iron ring you'll find beneath the plastic one.



Logical step : pull out the blade part.



By now, you're fan should look something like this :



Now let's get to the next part, soldering on the wiring!