LF DC pot 12V 1A 12W - NS4Sale

sswilson · 12-16-2007, 07:29 PM

Looking for a Potentiometer to control 3 12V computer fans in parallel. Fans are .3 amps each so I'm pretty sure I've got my 1A / 12W figures correct, but please feel free to correct me if I'm not thinking this out right.

This is for a case mode with an external mount water cooling rad, and the position of the switch would make it better (although not critical) if the base of the pot was no more than 1/2" thick.

Let me know if you've got something kicking around in a used parts bin, or if you can think of a supplier that might have something in the city. (I checked the source and didn't find anything that looked like it would fit the bill).

Alex Parker · 12-16-2007, 09:29 PM

You won't find anything suitable because pots are not designed for this purpose. They are designed for signal control, like volume of an amp, or brightness of a light, in conjuntion with other components which do the actual throttling. Bottom line, they're designed to be used like this with additional power control circuitry, and not by themselves. Unless you've got experiance working with varible voltage regulators, then you will probably have a difficult time locating a pot with a large enough power rating to fit yer bill. However, using 1 pot / fan may be easier...

sswilson · 12-16-2007, 09:59 PM

That's what's kinda got me stumped.... I have a bunch of old electronic gear kicking around and thought I'd be able to rip something out of one of them but they're all electronic vice standard variable resistors.

Maybe I'm looking for the wrong thing..... surely there must be a wire-wound variable resistor out there somewhere that could do the trick for me??????

Dogg_P · 12-16-2007, 11:10 PM

If you're looking for wire wound, find one of those hand held controls for kids race car tracks.
Shouldn't take a whole lot of effort to crack one of those open for the sweet components inside.

Alex Parker · 12-17-2007, 03:45 AM

Quote:

If you're looking for wire wound, find one of those hand held controls for kids race car tracks.
Shouldn't take a whole lot of effort to crack one of those open for the sweet components inside.

Incorrect. What you're referring to would be an inductor or choke, and they are nothing like resistors.

And, as far as I know, there is no such thing as a varible wirewound resistor. It's impossible.

Willy_Weed · 12-17-2007, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Parker

And, as far as I know, there is no such thing as a varible wirewound resistor. It's impossible.

There are such things

http://www.ctscorp.com/components/Datasheets/026.pdf

It is fairly easy to build you own fan controller. I'd link to my guide, but my FTP is down.

sswilson · 12-17-2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Parker

Incorrect. What you're referring to would be an inductor or choke, and they are nothing like resistors.

And, as far as I know, there is no such thing as a varible wirewound resistor. It's impossible.

We use them on aircraft all of the time for DC lighting ccts.