What to use for speed control on a cooling fan?

[EglsFly]

I just added a 12VDC 80mm 2W cooling fan to my case.
I want to add a control, potentiometer?, to adjust the fan speed on the fly. Allowing me to run it at a slower, quieter speed if I wanted to. Figuring I would place this inline with the 12VDC power wire.

Is this the right approach, and if so, what value potentiometer do I need?

Also, anybody got a radioshack part number (if available) that I could use?

Thanks!

 

[Sorgon2]

Try one of these or you could make your own. You should be able to find these parts at Radio Shack if needed. Good Luck! 😀

 

[EglsFly]

Whoa!
$11.50 for a Rheostat!

Well, its got the specifications, so I can go from there and try to hunt one down at Radio Shack or the local Electronics shop.

Thanks for the info!🙂

 

[Def]

I'm using a 3W 25Ohm rheostat from Radioshack for my fan control. The only thing I can fault it with is that it doesn't provide enough resistance if just one fan is drawing power(unless it's a high speed 120mm). So I put two 92mm Panaflo L1A's on it and it works like a charm. Definitely reduces noise by a large amount when turned down all the way.

Oh, it also cost about $4.