1 Topic by macmub

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Topic: 12v Adaptor, Fan Controller, Fans.....No action

Im playing around with a fan controller and a couple of fans that im thinking about trying to rig to my printer for the nozzle duct and a case fan for the electronics.

I can get power to the controller with my 12v adaptor ive wired together but it won't power up the fans.
I connected the controller to a desktop and plugged in the fans and they worked. So clearly there is enough power for the led's on the controller but not enough to power the fans when im trying to use my little adaptor. The fans use a total of 2watts, they're 12v. The controller is 12v. Im using a 12v adaptor....what am I missing?

I thought maybe I needed to use an actual PSU, So I removed one from an old PC this morning and ive now discovered that simply plugging a PSU into a wall socket with no PC attached doesnt work.

Ive attached a front and back picture of the setup.

I understand this is probably not the easiest way to do what im doing but at this stage im just playing around with different ideas untill my printer gets here. Lawsy's panelou kit has got my inner electrician fired up :-D

Any help would be appreciated, thanks guys.

If what im doing is dangerous please someone tell me! haha

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2 Reply by IanJohnson

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Re: 12v Adaptor, Fan Controller, Fans.....No action

For an always on power, you can wire it to the sanguinololu.  If you look at where the motor fan and the LEDs plug in between the motor connectors, there are holes for one more pair of headers to provide 12v.  You would need to melt the solder that is in the holes and pull it out with a solder sucker.  Putting headers in isn't too difficult so long as you have a temperature controlled iron (not a direct plugin one) and a chisel tip.

A Gcode controlled fan is even better, and that needs to be my next blog post.

3 Reply by jooshs (edited by jooshs 2012-10-27 02:46:16)

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Re: 12v Adaptor, Fan Controller, Fans.....No action

I am beginning to agree with john's assessment. I think it would be more efficient and elegant if we broke the entire deal down into several boards. LEDs, fans, LCDs, and other external elements such as the wall fan you mentioned Ian, might be easier to manage with two boards. You simply would need to communicate where you were in the g code to both boards.  With some of the expansions we are interested in down the line, I may go this direction. I've been waiting to upgrade till I see an ultimate path. Ideally, in my mind, I see a setup on my desk that has an integrated system. It goes from modeling, to independent printing, to smoothing, to drying, all in a assembly line. I'm waiting to see a few more of the reviews for the board upgrades and about ready to pull the trigger and do the entire upgrade simultaneously.

4 Reply by IanJohnson

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Re: 12v Adaptor, Fan Controller, Fans.....No action

The Azteeg X3 will handle all of that on one board.  You can have 5 additional 12v controlled devices (4 if you have a second extruder).  There are more pins for LCD and other things like Bluetooth, etc.   

There is actually a gcode command in Marlin to fire an IR to a remote controlled camera. This makes it possible to take a shot on each layer change.

5 Reply by Rondavouz

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Re: 12v Adaptor, Fan Controller, Fans.....No action

You need to connect the green wire in the 20/24 pin connector to ground (black)to fire up an atx PSU without a computer.

http://reprap.org/wiki/PCPowerSupply

macmub wrote:

Im playing around with a fan controller and a couple of fans that im thinking about trying to rig to my printer for the nozzle duct and a case fan for the electronics.

I can get power to the controller with my 12v adaptor ive wired together but it won't power up the fans.
I connected the controller to a desktop and plugged in the fans and they worked. So clearly there is enough power for the led's on the controller but not enough to power the fans when im trying to use my little adaptor. The fans use a total of 2watts, they're 12v. The controller is 12v. Im using a 12v adaptor....what am I missing?

I thought maybe I needed to use an actual PSU, So I removed one from an old PC this morning and ive now discovered that simply plugging a PSU into a wall socket with no PC attached doesnt work.

Ive attached a front and back picture of the setup.

I understand this is probably not the easiest way to do what im doing but at this stage im just playing around with different ideas untill my printer gets here. Lawsy's panelou kit has got my inner electrician fired up :-D

Any help would be appreciated, thanks guys.

If what im doing is dangerous please someone tell me! haha

6 Reply by macmub

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Re: 12v Adaptor, Fan Controller, Fans.....No action

You my friend are a legend. Thanks heaps, ill give it a try Monday.

7 Reply by macmub

  • macmub
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Re: 12v Adaptor, Fan Controller, Fans.....No action

On the motherboard connector.
Green to black.
Orange pin 11 to orange pin 1.

Powered up straight away!

Thanks for the link.