Potentiometer & Voltage Meter

[fathersergius]

I built a stir plate using a LM 317t voltage regulator and a 5k potentiometer. After soldering it all together and finally getting it near working the potentiometer smoked up and burned out right before my eyes. It burned out while I was adjusting the speed, trying not to throw a stir bar.

I went to radioshack and they were out of 5k potentiometers. Given the choice, should I have bought a 1k or 10k potentiometer as a replacement?

Also, how do I test the LM 317t voltage regulator to make sure it isn't the problem?

 

[day_trippr]

Basic LM317 regulator circuit (embellished with caps that aren't really needed for a fan controller).

Dead simple, yet lots of ways to fry a pot - like, not including an "R2"...

Cheers!

 

[fathersergius]

I have an R2 and my stir plate follows that diagram with the potentiometer being R1. I've replaced the pot and so far it's working.