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gibiceh
Mudvayne

Registered: 05/19/06
Posts: 73
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light switch dimmer for DIY Magnetic Stirrer?
#5719582 - 06/06/06 04:14 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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I have a 12v computer fan and an ac adapter with an output of 12v. I also have a spare light switch dimmer. I'm looking to make a magnetic stirrer like the Sir Mix a Lot. I stripped the end of the ac adapter and was able to connect it to the fan and have the computer run. But I am unable to get the fan to run with the dimmer switch. I know I have it wired correctly. Will it not work because the dimmer switch needs 120v AC? Is there any way to make this work? I've look through the forums and google and have been unable to find anything. Thanks for any help!
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pazuzu
Shroom-o-Vision
Registered: 01/28/04
Posts: 132
Last seen: 11 years, 23 days
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Re: light switch dimmer for DIY Magnetic Stirrer? [Re: gibiceh]
#5720157 - 06/06/06 06:40 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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The light dimmer is probably just a variable resistor, so it should run fine using a DC source (your computer power supply). My guess would be that even when turned all the way up (maximum brightness/minimum resistance) it's not letting enough current through and thus the fan won't spin. Check the current with a multimeter and see how many amps are coming out of the dimmer.
If the dimmer is a more complicated device, then it may have enough capacitance which won't let DC through. You can go to a hardware store and buy a DC potentiometer for a couple of bucks and that will work, too.
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kilroy
Hightimes



Registered: 04/26/06
Posts: 768
Loc: Deep within my spirit
Last seen: 13 years, 4 months
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Re: light switch dimmer for DIY Magnetic Stirrer? [Re: pazuzu]
#5720224 - 06/06/06 07:01 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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A old stereo volume knob and assembly work pretty good. Old car stereo is very good for this type of stirrer
-------------------- IS NOT THE JOURNEY OF THE TRIP JUST AS IMPORTANT AS REACHING THE DESTINATION.
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Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!


Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 193,665
Loc: Pvt. Pubfag NutSuck
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Re: light switch dimmer for DIY Magnetic Stirrer? [Re: pazuzu]
#5720231 - 06/06/06 07:03 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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in english, pick up a 12v rheostat 
or try the DIY method
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/projects/rheostat.html
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RogerRabbit
Bans for Pleasure


Registered: 03/26/03
Posts: 42,214
Loc: Seattle
Last seen: 11 months, 22 days
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Re: light switch dimmer for DIY Magnetic Stirrer? [Re: Prisoner#1]
#5720438 - 06/06/06 07:59 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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Right. For a twelve volt DC motor, you need a rheostat. A light dimmer is NOT to be used for any inductive load. They are for lights, and only incandescent lights at that, unless labeled otherwise. RR
-------------------- Download Let's Grow Mushrooms semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat "I've never had a failed experiment. I've only discovered 10,000 methods which do not work." Thomas Edison
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splifner180
Student


Registered: 03/24/06
Posts: 1,288
Loc: USA, East Coast
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
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Re: light switch dimmer for DIY Magnetic Stirrer? [Re: RogerRabbit]
#5720709 - 06/06/06 09:03 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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A way to cheaply and effectively adjust the fan spin is to not adjust the fan at all. Just stack index cards on top of the stirrer. With the right amount of cards you can make the spin any speed you wish.
splif
-------------------- First Grow: Ecuador -> LC -> HPoo/Straw -> Monotub Build a Do-It-Yourself Magnetic Stirrer in thirty minutes with no money.
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pazuzu
Shroom-o-Vision
Registered: 01/28/04
Posts: 132
Last seen: 11 years, 23 days
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Re: light switch dimmer for DIY Magnetic Stirrer? [Re: kilroy]
#5720736 - 06/06/06 09:09 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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just to clarify a rheostat, potentiometer, and variable resistor are all the same thing.
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gibiceh
Mudvayne

Registered: 05/19/06
Posts: 73
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Re: light switch dimmer for DIY Magnetic Stirrer? [Re: pazuzu]
#5721067 - 06/06/06 10:37 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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Thank you for all the help and info!
--------------------
Are you feeling happy?
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