Fanbus & rheostats/potentiometers

[kzochert]

I am making a fanbus and will be using potentiometers to regulate the voltage going to the fans.

The question is what level of resistance should I get with the potentiometer?

I am probably going to purchase them here, but I don't know which to get.

thanks,

 

[Ragnarock]

Howdy. I'm working on the same project, but I'm using rheostats. I'm pretty much following guides I've found at virtualhideout and caseetc, but they both recommend 5watt, 100ohm rheos. I don't think that this really answers your question, but it's another option.

 

[kzochert]

Is there much of a difference in using rheostats?

 

[ModelM]

Make sure you have the correct power rating. I bought a 10W Rheostat, and hooked 2 fans up to it. I thought the fans were rated at 5W, but my the rheostat burned out. Now, I have a very expensive SPST switch!

 

[Bentrold]

I think that they( rheo's and pot's) are the same, just two different names for the same thing!!!
Correct me if I'm wrong;-)

Cool Breezes

Bentrold

 

[Ragnarock]

Yeah, I think you're pretty much right. Thanks.

 

[FlowerMan]

These may be of some use to you guys The LM317 fan controller is very smooth and allows you to run at almost 12V and lets you turn off the fan if need be. Cheaper than high wattage rheos too

http://casemods.pointofnoreturn.org/vregtut/tutorial-full.html

http://www.ocmod.com/code/show_art.php?id=4&pg=1