Ever been to Bigfoot computers on Dundas?

Here's the 17w x 4 fanbus they sell. Kinda pricey, but maybe you can find out the parts to DIY. At 17w per rheostat, you can actually run 8 fans. Just wire 2 per switch, and you're still well under the rated load.

yup, been there... the first thing i bought there was 120 YSTech 131CFM fan

loudest fan i've heard
it's even louder then the 2 Comair Rotrons @ max :eek:

Edit:

heres some info on the fan(s) http://www.comairrotron.com/DCFans/MuffinXLDC.htm # 4 from the top

Panaflo make some quiet 120mm 69cfm fans that are even quieter at 7v or 5v, I doubt you'd hear them at 7v

umm i don't think i would like to spend $30 for just one 120mm Panaflo

PetDMC - Rheostats in the 10W range are not cheap either, usually in the $15 to $20 range. If you aren't going to be constantly adjusting them, you would be better off either just running them at 7V or using adjustable power resistors ($7 range) from a cost standpoint. Examples of choices are here.

Regarding getting fans to start at lower voltages, you can solve that problem by putting a 5 to 10 microfarad capacitor across the resistor to supply them with the startup juice they need ;)

I am going to make one of these with the 350 for 3 watts.



This is a tutorial on build the regulator.



Go here.

Jim

Pet,
You find 50 dba "not too loud"?:eek:
30 years of dirt bikes, atvs, snowmobiles, 1000 watt car stereos, and more recently diesel engines has left my hearing far from "good", and I cringe at the thought of 30 dba. lol

OM-freakin-G!!!!!! I just thought of something I was often heard saying circa 1990..."if it's too loud, you're too old"

I think I need to change my Depends.

^ I have one, my HDs are louder than the fan. (IBM 60GXPs) I'm sure if it was run at 7v, it wouldn't be audiable unless you stuck your ear up to it.

hmm, my 60gxp's aren't too loud at all really, so they must be very quiet fans

:eek: :eek: :D

how about one of them slider things :cool: :confused:

A cars heater fan control should work I think.

There in the 20 amp DC range, and how cool would that "low, medium, and high" look on a PC?

Hmmm, bigger cars like Buicks etc, use a climate control with LED display...there's a temp read out, and auto/manual fan control waiting to happen with the right wiring.

who want to steal a car for the climate control? ;)

ok...I never guessed Brad as the criminally minded type.

I was thinking wrecker, or parts car type of thing. Too bad, I just scrapped an older Riviera last year. ...not that I'd know how to do the custom wiring.

If you're talking about the $7 adjustable power resistors I provided you a link too -

In operation they are just like a regular rheostat, only you slide the middle contact along the body of the resistor to adjust the resistance. Once you have it at the desired resistance you tighten a screw down on the slider for full contact. (one side of the resistor has a flat surface where the sliding center lead makes contact with the windings of the resistor).

As I said, not as easily adjustable as a regular rheostat, but a lot cheaper ;)

I never said I was. ;) how much do they cost I wonder...