leonstafford
New Member
Hi all, first post for a newbie.
I am trying to stick a potentiometer (I think trimpot type at 10khm: ) into a PC's fan circuit (12VDC).
I have tried 2 methods:
1. connecting one end of the trimpot to the 12V+ coming from the computer, the other to the fan's input and trying to ground the middle pin of the trimpot to the computer's ground.
&
2. connecting one end of the trimpot to the 12V+ coming from the computer, connecting the middle pin to the fan's input and then grounding the other pin of the trimpot to the computer's ground.
Both to no avail. I seem to be able to only get power to the fan when I turn it fully clockwise or almost fully, but I can't get any difference in fan speed, it's all or nothing. Do I have the wrong type of pot? The fan is rated at 12VDC 0.44A
Questions (I'm still 1 day into electronics!):
Is there a specific input and output end of the potentiometer or either is the same?
How do I work out the hm: 's of the pot I should be using?
Is there an obvious dumb newbie thing I am doing?
Any help will be greatly appreciated
I am trying to stick a potentiometer (I think trimpot type at 10khm: ) into a PC's fan circuit (12VDC).
I have tried 2 methods:
1. connecting one end of the trimpot to the 12V+ coming from the computer, the other to the fan's input and trying to ground the middle pin of the trimpot to the computer's ground.
&
2. connecting one end of the trimpot to the 12V+ coming from the computer, connecting the middle pin to the fan's input and then grounding the other pin of the trimpot to the computer's ground.
Both to no avail. I seem to be able to only get power to the fan when I turn it fully clockwise or almost fully, but I can't get any difference in fan speed, it's all or nothing. Do I have the wrong type of pot? The fan is rated at 12VDC 0.44A
Questions (I'm still 1 day into electronics!):
Is there a specific input and output end of the potentiometer or either is the same?
How do I work out the hm: 's of the pot I should be using?
Is there an obvious dumb newbie thing I am doing?
Any help will be greatly appreciated
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