Making a fan controller

[OLMI]

could someone throw me some articles on how to go about doing this? i had one a long time ago but i forgot where it was :( thanks.

[bubba gump]

GAH, I Know directron has one somewhere on their website...I just can't seem to find it...I'll look a bit longer

*edit* I think this is it :)

http://www.directron.com/makeabus.html

Good luck :D

[axlecrusher]

There is a guide on overclockers.com. I used it and modified it slightly, It works wonders! I should make a diagram of my regulator.

Axle

[OLMI]

that directron link is cool, but i was thinking of something kinda of like a dimmer switch for a light. could i just by something like that instead of a two way switch thingy?

[star882]

Who needs a fan controller if you can use this:
http://www.uploadit.org/files/210703-britney.gif ?
That's what I use on my 200w Delta PSU with an 80mm, 7000RPM Delta fan.
As a bonus, it doesn't void your warranty, keeps your temps low(by leaving the fans at full speed), and will work on devices other than fans.

[OLMI]

uh.. heh? no, seriously... anyone have any guides for making a controller that i can control speed with?

[four4875]

use a VR and a variable output voltage regulkator, in a TO-220 casing. look at radioshack... lol you should see it in the transistors section. there is a schematic on the back of that. just get the appropriate panel mount VR or potentiometer (spelling?), the right resistor, and a decent HS for the regulator. dont use radio shack's thermal compound, use AS3 ;-) it'll get better transfer than that crap that doesnt even deserv the name of thermal compound. get a few of these, and if you're feeling spiffy, grab a PCB etching kit while you're there. get the schematics all laid out on the board, get them as tight as possible (more controllers to the amount of space :-) and figure out a mounting system to a 5 1/4 blank, and etch it. then drill and mount the components (if you feelin spiffy still, mount molexes for power. but then mount it all up in a 5 1/4 bay, hook up your fans, and be off

[four4875]

oh, and for some added fun, use LEDS and proper resistors running on the output of each regulator. then you have a light showin how muh power is goin to each fan. and you can put the RPM wire straight to the mobo, bypassing the regualtor.

[Black_Ops]

i posted a few very good schematics. maybe you could search for my name in here and find em.

one was variable, one was just a 5/12v switched.

[Veland]

Basically three options:

Reostat - a variable resistor, must be at least 5W and something like 50ohm. Can be expensive, but very simple and gives full range of voltages

LM317T based (or similar voltage regulators) - Still very simple, a voltage regulator, a pot and some caps. But they give off excessive voltage as heat and does not give full voltage

PWM - Much more complex, but can handle a lot of load. Some parts can be expensive, but look around for different schematics and parts.

There are a LOT of tutorials around, either in here, or at places like pointofnoreturn.org or bit-tech.net. Do a Google and find more then you ever need.

[OLMI]

hey i found this article, and it looks really simple.

http://bit-tech.net/article/56/

why do you need to do so much more work in the other ones with the huge circuits you have to build? what advantage do you get?

[bubba gump]

Well...that seems simple but with that the fan is always on there, permanent unless u wanna take hte heatshrink off, desolder and then solder again.

I wouldn't do that becuase I like to have it take up a panel o something (i have 4...im never gonna use em all) so I sorta like to waste space...but that actually is a good way if you just wanted something small...hey..looks reasonable and actually not bad :)

Fold and Frag on
Brian

[OLMI]

thanks.. ya.. i think that'll be fine for me.. i just want to be able to turn them down a bit at night. thanks for all the help all you other people :D

[four4875]

i go my way cause it can handle more power :-)