Technical Electrical/Electronic Question

[Shoaldrafter]

All,

I routine point folks to archives on questions. I asked our archives several questions using search function provided. I did not use internet search of our archives yet.

Here is question: I have a fan speed control. It is old and does not function well. It is 'rheostat' type. I checked West Marine Catalog and Defender and could not find new version.

I was asking where to look when computer engineer suggested solid state device. However, he was microprossor designer and not a sail boat or boat person. He was unable to point me in direction of marine suitable device.

Searching the internet I have NOT found any device to vary cabin fan speed on boats. There has to be something out there but this old guy is not searching in right places.

I would also want to apply this to cabin lights and maybe other things.

I am not even aware of best short caption to define this question. This is a good Sunday in winter question, yes?

A certainly feel free to shoot back snide remarks, as long as they contain some relevant info.

Ed K

 

[RAD]

Heres what you need providing the fan draws less than 6 amps.....easy and cheap
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PWM-DC-Moto...758?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6d641546

here's another site to cover both fan and light

http://www.pca.com/newproducts/12vdimmer.cfm

 

[Shoaldrafter]

Heres what you need providing the fan draws less than 6 amps.....easy and cheap
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PWM-DC-Moto...758?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6d641546

here's another site to cover both fan and light

http://www.pca.com/newproducts/12vdimmer.cfm

- - - - // - - - -

Rad,

Thank you for the reply. So the terms change with the technology involved.

PWM - equals varible speed control

See:
http://www.aaroncake.net/circuits/motorcon.asp

Moving forward. Maybe all will gain from this discussion?

Ed K

This addendum stolen from another post:
"Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving. We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it—but sail we must and not drift, nor lie at anchor." —Oliver Wendell Holmes

 

[Joe11688]

All,

I routine point folks to archives on questions. I asked our archives several questions using search function provided. I did not use internet search of our archives yet.

Here is question: I have a fan speed control. It is old and does not function well. It is 'rheostat' type. I checked West Marine Catalog and Defender and could not find new version.

I was asking where to look when computer engineer suggested solid state device. However, he was microprossor designer and not a sail boat or boat person. He was unable to point me in direction of marine suitable device.

Searching the internet I have NOT found any device to vary cabin fan speed on boats. There has to be something out there but this old guy is not searching in right places.

I would also want to apply this to cabin lights and maybe other things.

I am not even aware of best short caption to define this question. This is a good Sunday in winter question, yes?

A certainly feel free to shoot back snide remarks, as long as they contain some relevant info.

Ed K

Sometimes it's possible to get the control to work by cleaning it with Radio Shack Tuner Control cleaner & lubricant provided you can gain access to the inside of the pot where the wiper is located. I would try to do that first before making any drastic changes to it. In fact, I'm glad that you brought this subject up because I have a Voyager Standard Horizon VHF radio with dead spots in the volume potentiometer. I know for sure that I could get it to work like new just by spraying the inside with this stuff. I've already tried it with a cheap Am/Fm radio that I keep on my boat and it works. My only problem with the VHF is that the volume pot is sealed.
I'm seriously thinking of drilling a small hole in the pot and sealing it back up once I get the inside clean. I bought this radio in 1987 and in spite of it's age along with the fact that it's not digital, it's still state of the art in many respects with it's 40 channels expandable to 55, PA, intercom, scanning, weather channels and internation weather channels. I love this radio and won't part with it. Cleaning the volume pot is going on my "to do" list.

 

[Shoaldrafter]

Tuner/electrical contact cleaner

Sometimes it's possible to get the control to work by cleaning it with Radio Shack Tuner Control cleaner & lubricant provided you can gain access to the inside of the pot where the wiper is located. I would try to do that first before making any drastic changes to it. In fact, I'm glad that you brought this subject up because I have a Voyager Standard Horizon VHF radio with dead spots in the volume potentiometer. I know for sure that I could get it to work like new just by spraying the inside with this stuff. I've already tried it with a cheap Am/Fm radio that I keep on my boat and it works. My only problem with the VHF is that the volume pot is sealed.
I'm seriously thinking of drilling a small hole in the pot and sealing it back up once I get the inside clean. I bought this radio in 1987 and in spite of it's age along with the fact that it's not digital, it's still state of the art in many respects with it's 40 channels expandable to 55, PA, intercom, scanning, weather channels and internation weather channels. I love this radio and won't part with it. Cleaning the volume pot is going on my "to do" list.

I have already tried that stuff first. Helps in some cases but not all, especially on pot that has missing arm.

I suspect that it would helped sealed pot. Big question is how to get it in there with damage to workings. With sealed pot, the clearances are very tight and you might not be able to drill hole with damages core.

They do make small wire size bits available at some old timey hardware stores or independent tool suppliers. We have independent store here called 'Tool Shed'. While its prices are consistantly higher, it does carry wire size bits, SS penetrating bits, unusual screw driver bits, etc.

And even soldering in new control might be difficult.

After I posted this question here, I dual posted over on

http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=136968

to try to get wider response.

Ed K
addendum:

"A friend of mine just started his own business in Afghanistan.

He's making land mines that look like prayer mats.
It's doing well. He says prophets are going through the roof."

The Fella from Atlanta:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_x9vKUJ6f4&feature=related

 

[Joe11688]

If worse comes to worse, I'll just take it to a radio guy and have him replace the volume pot.