Looks like it could be good for a DIY stir plate

[Jeltz]

Just looking for a PSU for a DIY stir plate and this popped up.

Looks to me as though a fan and magnets would fit on top and I guess a potentiometer could be added for speed control. If so would any other bits needed and what resistance should I go for?

 

[Cononthebarber]

Now I'm no electrician but I think 5amps output would be WAY too much for a computer fan! It would be spinning like the clappers!!! :lol:

 

[beermaker]

it'll be fine :) amps are a measure of the current drawn by an appliance. If you connect a 2 amp fan to the supply and put an ammeter in line with it, it would show 2 amps. The unit is capable of delivering up to 5 amps but that just means you can connect a demand to the unit of up to 5 amps before it becomes overloaded. It's the voltage which will dictate the speed of the fan in this case - voltage is the electrical equivalent of pressure from a pump. If you can control the voltage you can control the speed (in DC) a bit like on a train set using the transformer to control the voltage and in turn control the speed of the train.

 

[Cononthebarber]

Ah yes, you are right, I'm starting to remember my physics in school! Has been too long! :lol:

 

[Jeltz]

Well the issue is now that the flask I'm looking at would over hang the edges and while that wouldn't be a problem physically I want it to look right so SWMBO doesn't have too much to complain about.

Anyone got a source of nice cheap project boxes capable of taking a 17cm diameter flask :)

 

[Cononthebarber]

I got mine from THIS seller on ebay, they are quite cheap and good quality strong project boxes :thumb:

 

[pittsy]

I used plywood , made a box . wood was at hand and free ( i am a chippy after all )

 

[PD]

I got mine from Maplins while I was in the shop, not the cheapest place to shop but handy for me.
( and the salesman is an electronics geek who is always available for advice )

 

[Jeltz]

Ply is probably the way to go. :thumb:

 

[beermaker]

Ply is probably the way to go. :thumb:

I used ply to make the housing for my CIP pump. Other than amplifying the drumming noise from the pump it works a treat. Going to try making a resilient mounting from rubber for the pump to reduce the drumming but I imagine that won't be an issue with a stir plate.

 

[mixale]

I use one of these variable power supply units

 

[Jeltz]

Good news, I've found a redundant 12V PSU at work rated at 2A which should be plenty. I've 2 old hard drives to dismantle for the magnets and an old computer to rip a fan out of. I should have some ply in the garage I may even have a suitable wooden box. Such a shame my lathe is broken as it would be awesome turning a plate stirrer!

 

[CRoark]

I used a cigar box for my build...I just went to a tobacconist and asked if they had any lying around.

Worked great!