Re: Fan for //GS

[danb@pro-nfug.cts.com (Dan Brown)]

In <C42wCw.6KL@ucdavis.edu>
ez027250@hamlet.ucdavis.edu (Chris Lambertus) writes:

>For clarity..and for the original poster of the fan thing..a resistor across
>an AC line decreases current, NOT voltage.  You need to use a high ohmage
>resistor, or there'll be way too much current draw, and you'll blow stuff up.
> 
>I don't really think putting a resistor in an AC line will quiet a fan..Get
>a rheostat from payless and hook it up there..

        Whether a resistor decreases current or voltage is, I think, a
function of how it's wired, not what type of current is in the line. 
However, and this is the more important point, a resistor will not slow down
an AC motor, nor will a rheostat (all it is is a _variable_ resistor).  The
speed of an AC motor is a function of the frequency on the line.  Therefore,
the only way to change the speed is to (a) change the AC frequency into the
fan (very difficult and expensive, I understand), (b) rewire the fan motor
(perhaps not as expensive, but at least as difficult), or (c) put in a DC
fan, and run it off 12 VDC (w/ a resistor if necessary).

 ----------------------------------
Dan Brown, Sysop of pro-nfug     ProLine:  danb@pro-nfug
UUCP:  crash!pro-nfug!danb       Internet: danb@pro-nfug.cts.com
Above opinions are not those of Mensa, which has no opinions.