Here's a quick and easy DIY project ( unlike my usual DIY projects which typically are neither quick or easy ).
Nothing new here; it's just the usual combination of pc muffin fan, magnets and power. Just wanted to put my "spin" on it.
Case: For an enclosure I used a case from a dead ATX power supply. I've seen lots of builds using cigar boxes which work fine but my ATX P/S case has the advantages of being well ventilated, being solidly screwed together, being harder to catch fire and it has a power receptacle and on/off switch already installed. The power receptacle is nice because I can disconnect the A/C power cord when not in use. ( Note: I did have to reposition the power receptacle to clear the fan, took about 5 minutes. )
Fan: The case had a perfectly serviceable 120mm 12VDC fan already installed but I had a really nice 120mm 110VAC muffin fan that I decided to use instead.
Speed control: To control fan speed I added a simple lamp dimmer switch. $6.98 for 2 with free shipping from Newegg...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4SR1T59608
At $3.49 each I decided to keep a spare on hand just in case I wanted to build a second one in the future. ( Note: the dimmer switch did not come with a mounting nut, it's some oddball size and I ended up attaching it to the case using "JB Weld" Epoxy )
Magnets: At first I was going to use a actuator magnet from a defunct hard drive and even had one ready to go but at the last minute ordered some round 1/2" N48 magnets from Amazon for $5.86 ( 10 magnets, 59 cents each ) with free shipping on a $35 order.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KV38ES/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
The reason I went with the round magnets was that the hard drive magnet just didn't seem to be as strong as I'd like. It probably would have worked okay but since I had to order a stir magnet anyway I added the round magnets on a whim. After having ordered the round magnets I then found some information online that indicated 2 magnets work better that a single magnet.
https://www.kjmagnetics.com/blog.asp?p=stir-bars
I'll hang on to the hard drive magnet and use it to capture the stir magnet when it's time to pitch or decant.
Stir Magnet: I went with a 1" stir magnet and it works fine with my 1 gallon jug.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ACM0O6/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
The wiring was straight forward and I attached some stick-on rubber "feet" to help keep the noise to a minimum.
Mounted a larger washer to the fan blade using super glue, the magnets stick pretty solid to the washer without glue.
I clipped the inner 2 rings from the fan shield for physical clearance for the magnets and to eliminate interference with the magnetic field.
Here's the obligatory money shot of the stir plate in action.
Cheers!
Nothing new here; it's just the usual combination of pc muffin fan, magnets and power. Just wanted to put my "spin" on it.
Case: For an enclosure I used a case from a dead ATX power supply. I've seen lots of builds using cigar boxes which work fine but my ATX P/S case has the advantages of being well ventilated, being solidly screwed together, being harder to catch fire and it has a power receptacle and on/off switch already installed. The power receptacle is nice because I can disconnect the A/C power cord when not in use. ( Note: I did have to reposition the power receptacle to clear the fan, took about 5 minutes. )
Fan: The case had a perfectly serviceable 120mm 12VDC fan already installed but I had a really nice 120mm 110VAC muffin fan that I decided to use instead.
Speed control: To control fan speed I added a simple lamp dimmer switch. $6.98 for 2 with free shipping from Newegg...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4SR1T59608
At $3.49 each I decided to keep a spare on hand just in case I wanted to build a second one in the future. ( Note: the dimmer switch did not come with a mounting nut, it's some oddball size and I ended up attaching it to the case using "JB Weld" Epoxy )
Magnets: At first I was going to use a actuator magnet from a defunct hard drive and even had one ready to go but at the last minute ordered some round 1/2" N48 magnets from Amazon for $5.86 ( 10 magnets, 59 cents each ) with free shipping on a $35 order.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KV38ES/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
The reason I went with the round magnets was that the hard drive magnet just didn't seem to be as strong as I'd like. It probably would have worked okay but since I had to order a stir magnet anyway I added the round magnets on a whim. After having ordered the round magnets I then found some information online that indicated 2 magnets work better that a single magnet.
https://www.kjmagnetics.com/blog.asp?p=stir-bars
I'll hang on to the hard drive magnet and use it to capture the stir magnet when it's time to pitch or decant.
Stir Magnet: I went with a 1" stir magnet and it works fine with my 1 gallon jug.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ACM0O6/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
The wiring was straight forward and I attached some stick-on rubber "feet" to help keep the noise to a minimum.
Mounted a larger washer to the fan blade using super glue, the magnets stick pretty solid to the washer without glue.
I clipped the inner 2 rings from the fan shield for physical clearance for the magnets and to eliminate interference with the magnetic field.
Here's the obligatory money shot of the stir plate in action.
Cheers!
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