Control 6 fans on one channel

[Encore2097]

I plan to use a triple rad in push/pull config with 6 fans... therefore I'm thinking about building a custom fan controller/rheobus analogous to the Sunbeam Rheobus except only with one knob.... I am working on obtaining 6 Sanyo Denki 120mm fans (part no. 109R1212H1011) (If you know of any dont hesistate to reply ) So basically there 12v @ 0.52 A * 6 = ~ 40 watts . So this controller is going to need to handle that much and go from 0 - 12 V... Any body know any instructions or guides to go about making one or any ideas?

 

[BWR]

Couldnt you just daisychain/put the fans in series? Or would that also require the channel to get a boost in power to handle all fans at 12v?

 

[Encore2097]

Fans in a series would lead to a voltage drop, they would have to be in parallel. And yea the highest fan controller sunbeam only runs 20W per channel, so it would blow. 6 of these fans would put out 38 watts. i think i figurerd out how to do it and this will most likely be included in my next build.

 

[Encore2097]

*bump for a little help*

im thining of running two 3A positive linear voltage regulators, connected to a potentiometer/rheostat. Im unsure of the necessary resistors / potentiometer ohm-age. Since 6 fans will draw 3.12 Amps, ~3 ohm will effectively take it to 0V. How does the sunbeam rheobus do it? If I could find a schematic I could adapt that for my needs...

 

[MODdaBOX]

im in sort of the same boat with my wcing pump, its requires too much current for the sunbeam controller and high wattage pots are hard to find so i was considering using a multiple position switch with different resistors for the paths to switch between say 5v 8v and 12v.

 

[Encore2097]

Found a better solution: $5 car Dimmer switch, 12V 50watts... real cheap =) can mod front knob to look nice

EDIT: not really a do it yourself but it works nicely