Installing a Rheostat ... I need help

[Robbiem01]

I just ordered this rheostat and I dont know where to put all the wires.

 

[ocean]

Try this link

 

[Maximus Nickus]

I think its Positive / Negative on the ends and ground in the middle.

But I'm not 100%....

Although it looks very much like it, as you adjust the dial to change the current to either the + or -


Maximus Nickus

 

[zoopa_man]

Look at the wires in this pic. Should help you out.

The center wire is the hot and the ones on the outside that run through the rheostat are the grounds. Personaly i would swap them and use the hot to go through the rheo and leave the ground alone.

What you want to do is cut the fan's power wire in half...connect one end to the center post of the rheo...and the other to one of the outside posts. Disguard the third post..cover it with tape or something. and vuala ! adjustable fan power. One thng to keep in mind is watch the back the rheo temps...the way it works is it gets rid of the extra energy as heat...thus the rheo heats up on the back some. just watch how hot it gets if you run it turned down for a long period of time.

*edit..give sidewinder comptuers credit for their pic. This is their product they sell..you can buy them and just plug one end into your power sup and one into your fan. and bata bing bata boom

 

[manrrl]

Looking at the rear of the rheo the middle connector goes to your 12volt power supply and the right side connector goes to the + side of the fan. Do Not connect a ground to this device it will overheat! It is designed to be used inline on the + side only.

 

[Robbiem01]

I've had it wired that way for a while now but it does get hot ... and pretty fast too. It does this because it converts the unused energy into heat. I think I need a better one maybe like the kind hoot has or else it will overheat and break. Thanks for all the help with wireing everyone. I got my computer MUCH quieter with this overheating rheostat.

 

[Pepsi]

It's fairly easy all you need is a common volt meter. Check which terminals directly short out via overload while the meter is hooked up move the setting and see if your voltage changes.
Stay Cool
Pepsi

 

[manrrl]

I highly recommend Hoot's rheos. I just received 4 from him and they are excellent quality.