Wii fan pot.

Mikeyman64 · Post by **Mikeyman64** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 5:12 pm

I just bought one of those 3rd party Wii system fans at Gamestop, and I've noticed that it's really loud! Even on standby mode, it's pretty dern loud.
So I though "why not just install a potentiometer?" my goal being to be able to adjust the power to the fan so that I can turn it down when I want to, so I went to my neighborhood Radio Shack and bought a box of assorted pots. I picked the one I wanted to use, and installed it, but all it does is turn the fan on when it reaches it's max (turn it all the way to one side).
How can I set it up so that it is fully adjustable (low to high)?

Thanks in advance.

grahf · Post by **grahf** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 5:24 pm

Some electric motors dont work when you try to underdrive them. Also, you dont really need a fan for the Wii. It gets warm, but you wont have any problems with it.

Post by **bicostp** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 5:34 pm

What's the value of the pot? Sounds like it's too restrictive for the fan. Try another with a lower value. (1k should be more than enough for the fan's draw.)

You shouldn't need a fan for your system anyways, especially if there's sufficient space around it for air circulation.

Nextgenwars.com is very biases, by the way.

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 9:59 pm

a) for something like a 200mA 12V fan, even a 120-ohm resistor would probably be too much (it would drop all 12v at half of the rated 200mA). maybe look for a 200 ohm pot, or else think of another way (ie, a speed switch with a couple small resistors to select).

b) bico, why do you say nexgenwars is biased? their wii sales figure is pretty accurate (sauce: http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=39232 ), and the ps3 one seems reasonable. cant say anything about 360 though.

Mikeyman64 · Post by **Mikeyman64** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 10:39 pm

I don't even think it's worth all the trouble. Then again, what am I saying! It's an electronic project!

tom61 · Post by **tom61** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 11:08 pm

Does your Wii actually get hot enough to warrant an extra fan? Mine barely gets above room temp., even after several hours of play.

Post by **Skyone** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 12:52 am

bicostp wrote:Nextgenwars.com is very biases, by the way.

Yes, but nexgenwars.com is not very biased at all!

Mikeyman64 · Post by **Mikeyman64** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:43 pm

tom61 wrote:Does your Wii actually get hot enough to warrant an extra fan? Mine barely gets above room temp., even after several hours of play.

It gets much hotter than room temp. Do you leave WiiConnect24 on?

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Tue May 01, 2007 8:06 pm

computers these days are designed to run at much hotter than room temp, im sure that the wii has nothing on the 360 - which only overheats sometimes