Real cheap fan controller. I done it so can U!

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Paolo

Senior member
May 3, 2000
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Here it is. Simple, cheap, and effective. Got all the parts at the local RadioShack. Cost me about $15 and about an hour to solder and assemble, but you could do it cheaper and quicker. I bought extra parts I could have done without 'cause I was in a rush, and I'm clumsy and made butt ugly solder points (but hey they work). I used an LM317 voltage regulator (the tutorial is HERE. Don't bother w/ the capacitors, you don't need 'em w/ fans). Just wire the LM317 w/ a potentiometer (I used a 10K or 5K) and a resistor of about 1/10 the rateing of the POT, e.g. 10K POT + 1K resistor. I have 2 seperate controllers on this one board; one for my CPU fan and the other to run the case fans. They all fit nicely on a small rectangle of circuit board which I mounted directly to the 5.5" drive cover as you can see. The line powering the case fans goes to a cheap screw down circuit buss also available at the 'Shack for a couple bucks. I plugged in all the bare wires from the fans into the buss and got rid all those ugly bulky molex connectors.

Why do this? I can run my fans at a lower and much more effective speed. Its a lot more quiet and I can avoid certain resonances where the fan noises get even louder. In fact with a little fine tuning they seem to cancel each other out somewhat. But if I need to crank it all up 'cuz I'm gaming, I can do it. It's easy to do (really) and well worth the effort. It looks cool and for a few more coins you could even install LEDS across the output lines and get even more of the "techno" look. Hey I'm a klutz and I made it look OK. Try it; its worth it. :D
 
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bomax

Member
Dec 3, 2001
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I have done the same thing you did, except I simply spliced into the +5v line on my CPU fan and added a potentiometer. Why didn't you just do it this way?

bomax
 
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FlowerMan

Golden Member
Aug 19, 2001
1,324
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Your fan runs on the 5V+? The LM317 regulates voltage. Much more efficient than a wasteful rheostat ;) I have been using an LM317 in my system for about a year now... Thanks for posting the tutorial here, but IMO, its too intensive for the average AT reader :)
 
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Paolo

Senior member
May 3, 2000
424
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76
Well Flowerman, you might be right, but I figured it out, and I'm no electronics whiz. HERE is another tutorial on the LM317 that maybe is easier. I found that looking at both allowed me to understand the basic wiring better. I think that bolting the circuit board right on the drive cap as I have done is the cleanest easiest solution of all. By the way, thanks Flowerman; you were the initial apostle of the LM317 who got me interested in this fan controller solution.
 
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Paolo

Senior member
May 3, 2000
424
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76
What gives? He doesn't seem to be using any heatsinks on the LM317's. Must not be running much juice thru each one. I love the way he stacked the boards one atop the other. Great idea!. Is there an article that goes along with this pic?
 
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Paolo

Senior member
May 3, 2000
424
0
76
Just make sure the rheostat is rated high enough for the fan(s) wattage = voltage x amperage (e.g. 12v x 0.5amp = 6watts). Radioshack has a cheap 3watt rheostat, but the higher rated ones can cost $20 or more. You run the risk of burning out the rheostat if you overload it w/ potentially costly results. The LM317 is definitely the cost leader solution, but ya got to solder a wee bit. Really not that bad.
 
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Paolo

Senior member
May 3, 2000
424
0
76
Fman, you sure about that? I have no personal experience, but what I recall reading was that the rheostat could stop conducting when overheated. I like your answer better. At least the fan would keep running. I hope you are right.
 
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FlowerMan

Golden Member
Aug 19, 2001
1,324
0
0
well, you can use a 3W rheo on a 5-7W fan. Just don't go overboard, use your common sense. If you used like 15+W on a 3W rheo, it might overheat and burn ;)
 
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