Switchable Fan Voltage

[clocker]

If, like me, you have either a lot of fans running or just a few but a need to change the speed upon occasion, here's an easy way to do it. (http://phlux.co.uk/articles.php?aid=38)
I don't have the space for a whole gang of rheostats ( variable speed controllers) and anyway I don't really need to fine tune each fans speed. I want them all spinning fast or slow. This method will achieve the level of control I need with just one switch.
Some of you may find it useful if your PC is in your bedroom to mute the fan noise at night...

[Livy]

nice one, :D cheap easy way to do it.

[camille]

Originally posted by clocker@16 December 2003 - 21:18
here's an easy way to do it. (http://phlux.co.uk/articles.php?aid=38)

Still don't get your link implying. I think the best way is to vacuum the fan and lubricate it so that noise will be smooth in operation.

[Livy]

Originally posted by camille+16 December 2003 - 14:51--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (camille @ 16 December 2003 - 14:51)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-clocker@16 December 2003 - 21:18
here&#39;s an easy way to do it. (http://phlux.co.uk/articles.php?aid=38)

Still don&#39;t get your link implying. I think the best way is to vacuum the fan and lubricate it so that noise will be smooth in operation. [/b][/quote]
it lowers the fan voltage so it will run slower, thus less noise.

[Virtualbody1234]

Hmmm, this looks familiar. :blink:

:lol:

[clocker]

Originally posted by Virtualbody1234@16 December 2003 - 08:54
Hmmm, this looks familiar. :blink:

:lol:
Your method didn&#39;t have the switch. :P
I don&#39;t claim to be breaking new ground here, just bumping older, still worthy topics to the fore.
The fact that many of these were originally yours does you great credit.

Imitation being the sincerest form blah, blah, blah...

[Virtualbody1234]

It&#39;s cool. The whole point is to inform. Right? :)

[Snee]

I&#39;ve got temp sensors that automatically switch the voltage, at least in theory it lets my fans go just as fast as needed.

Isn&#39;t there a risk of overheating if you start doing these things maunally, with switches?

[clocker]

For me, the main advantage of making this switchable is that I can change in the middle of a stress test and see what (if any) affect it has. I also currently have my fans ganged onto two different switches so I can create cooling zones in effect.
Probably after I&#39;m done experimenting (like that will ever happen&#33;) I would just hardwire everything to the voltage that is best.

Adjusting your voltage manually is certainly no riskier than placing your faith in some device which supposedly will do it for you.
What happens if that goes AWOL?

[Snee]

Fair point that, though I think it&#39;s set to go to maximum if it breaks down.

I&#39;ll have to investigate :)

[camille]

Most fans nowadays have a thermostat control and low in wattage. Of course voltage is constant. Now in case of overheating fan stops due to high temperature. This is the job of the thermostat.

[Snee]

Originally posted by camille@17 December 2003 - 00:17
Most fans nowadays have a thermostat control and low in wattage. Of course voltage is constant. Now in case of overheating fan stops due to high temperature. This is the job of the thermostat.
:blink:

The fan stops when the cpu gets overheated? somehow I doubt that.

It&#39;s hardly wired to stop at high temperatures.

[clocker]

Originally posted by camille@16 December 2003 - 16:17
Most fans nowadays have a thermostat control and low in wattage. Of course voltage is constant. Now in case of overheating fan stops due to high temperature. This is the job of the thermostat.
I have seen fans with (alleged) temp sensors that are supposed to speed up/slow down in response to case temps.
My latest 120mm fan has this feature and just for grins, before installing it, I hooked it to a spare power supply ( how did I ever get by without that?) and used a hairdryer to heat the sensor up.
Nada.
Completely ineffective.
Clip&#33; went the sensor, solder it&#39;s two leads together, and viola&#33; full speed- now regulated with my switch.

Camille, I have never run across a fan that does what you suggest, and wouldn&#39;t want one if I did.
I&#39;d much prefer that the fan sacrifice it&#39;s little life should case temps rise rather than shutdown in self defense.
It&#39;s the honorable thing for a fan to do.

[lynx]

I suspect camille is confusing this with P3&#39;s, which shut down before meltdown occurs.

[Snee]

Originally posted by clocker+17 December 2003 - 16:09--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (clocker @ 17 December 2003 - 16:09)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-camille@16 December 2003 - 16:17
Most fans nowadays have a thermostat control and low in wattage. Of course voltage is constant. Now in case of overheating fan stops due to high temperature. This is the job of the thermostat.
I have seen fans with (alleged) temp sensors that are supposed to speed up/slow down in response to case temps.
My latest 120mm fan has this feature and just for grins, before installing it, I hooked it to a spare power supply ( how did I ever get by without that?) and used a hairdryer to heat the sensor up.
Nada.
Completely ineffective.
Clip&#33; went the sensor, solder it&#39;s two leads together, and viola&#33; full speed- now regulated with my switch.

Camille, I have never run across a fan that does what you suggest, and wouldn&#39;t want one if I did.
I&#39;d much prefer that the fan sacrifice it&#39;s little life should case temps rise rather than shutdown in self defense.
It&#39;s the honorable thing for a fan to do. [/b][/quote]
There are also separate controllers for this thing, those are better.

As for fans with temp-sensors, I have a couple of them too, and I too have done some experimentation, and it works exactly as it&#39;s supposed to, but they&#39;ve only got two speeds, so it&#39;s quite simple. :)