IP-enabled device to control Voltage/Wattage

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JSylvia007

New Member
Jul 29, 2018
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Howdy All!

I've been a lurker here for almost a decade... Figured I might as well create an account and ask a question.

I have a blower unit in my rack to keep it temperature controlled. It is a simple 120v direct plug-in fan. I've attached it to a potentiometer, to control the rate at which it moves air.

I'd love to be able to control this via IP, as currently, if it gets too warm for a stretch of a few days, I need to physically be around to turn the knob on the potentiometer.

Any ideas for a device like this that may exist?
 

Jeggs101

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2010
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This sounds like an excellent raspberry pi project. I'd look there. There's gotta be someone on RPi forums that's done this.
 

JSylvia007

New Member
Jul 29, 2018
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I'll give that a shot. I agree that its perfect for that task, but I don't know enough about the electrical side to pull it off.
 

mstone

Active Member
Mar 11, 2015
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google for "digital potentiometer", e.g., How to Build a Digital Potentiometer Circuit with a MCP4131

note that you need to make sure you look at the voltage & current requirements--the specific part in that article would not be appropriate for a fan. the nice thing about a digital pot for this application is that it has memory; it will remember the setting even if you turn off the controller or reboot it or it crashes or whatever. another option would be a PWM fan.

fwiw, once you've started down this road you might as well add a temperature sensor. :)
 

JSylvia007

New Member
Jul 29, 2018
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These might work, but they don't give the control I'm looking for. Set-it-and-forget it might work though. My primary reason for this is to keep the noise down. When the fan is up, it's quite loud.

I like these... I'd have to retrofit my rack, but I like these.