Well I finally got around to it. Nothing much I can say other than to see the pics. (You'll be going "ohhhhhh, ok" at the end)

The problem ( Short Fan wire)


1st step, strip wires


Make Contact points, Note Paper, aluminum foil, and hot glue. Can you see where this is going?


Here's both.


Now for the computer, here's my modified molex connection, once again, hotglued molex connector (not from the PSU) to the HDD cage.


Here's the springs I'll be using, from pens Can you see it now????


Spring #1, note paper insulator


Spring #2


The Finished Product




Ghetto Modding FTW. Now I have a "wireless" Side panel, the days of the all time worst annoyance is gone

you could of used a phone jack... but good thinking

those are some massive contacts for the fan heh... i'd be worried i'd short out my computer... i'm gonna have to do something like this when i finish my panels

that looks awesome, but I would be hella scared to electrify my case! That could lead to some extreme static

Ha! That's a great idea, and definitely a "ghetto" mod. I agree with the others that I'd be worried about shorting. You should pick up something a little more industrial than paper , but also, you should pick up an inline fuse to put on the fan wire, so if it does short it won't blow everything. Since it's just a single fan, you could get a real small fuse to be safe.

Thats awesome. I bet if it was prefected, it could be something marketable.

I was actually thinking the same thing, I have been wondering why none of the case manufacturers have done something like this, maybe because it's exposed leads or something?

Thanks guys, and a fuse would be a good idea, I'm going to pick a couple small fuse/holders here in a little bit.

Yeah, I was scared about it shorting out myself(Which is why I put the leads on opposite sides, course that doesn't help with the case being conductive either... ), But the only one who removes the thing is me, So it should be good for now until I use something more permanent, maybe something like a 1/4" audio jack?

I'm sure case manufacturers could find a way of doing it while still complying to safety standards etc.

I don't have any side case fans, but have certainly thought about something similar to this anyway.
I think the case door latches you find on many cases would be an interesting way to implement this kind of idea.