stir plate

[johnluc]

Hi all, don't know if this is the right place but here goes, i'm just ordering bits and pieces to do a stir plate build, what is the best type and shape of stir bar, as they are quite expensive and delivery to france makes it more so, also where do you get yours from as most on ebay are from China and come in multiple packs that most won't be used
johnluc.

[mark4newman]

Hi

I got mine from

http://www.altecweb.com/home.asp?cat=Subcategory40480

I just use a bar one. IMHO go for the biggest one you can.

[Piscator]

Mine has a pivot ring and it makes a fair old rattle when it's going - not a problem because I put it in the brew fridge in the shed so nobody can hear it but I wouldn't want it going day and night in the house.

Just something to be aware of.

[AnthonyUK]

[quote="I just use a bar one. IMHO go for the biggest one you can.[/quote]

The bars can be noisy and the big ones tend to be thrown more often in my experience.
The flat oval ones seem fine.

[johnluc]

thanks for the replies, have ordered a 38mmx8mm, think i'll order a multi pack from china so i can see what's best.

[johnluc]

ordered most of my bits and pieces, one query i have is what are the experts using for controlling fan speed, any links would be very welcome.
johnluc.

[vacant]

what are the experts using for controlling fan speed, any links would be very welcome.

Zalman fanmate 2

[IPA]

what are the experts using for controlling fan speed, any links would be very welcome.

Zalman fanmate 2

How do you connect this to a power supply when you only have two wires?

[IPA]

thanks for the replies, have ordered a 38mmx8mm, think i'll order a multi pack from china so i can see what's best.

For me a 35mm one works well in either a 1 litre or 2 litre flask tlike this.

[johnluc]

vacant, have found some that deliver to France, but it says only to use with three pin fans only, can i get around this with a two wire fan as i've ordered ?

[Piscator]

I use an adjustable mains adapter - drop the voltage to drop the speed. It's simple and reliable and works well for me.

[johnluc]

would this do the job ? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2Pcs-12V-40V- ... 1e8aa7d8cf or this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16mm-Variable ... 8bbb84d440

[vacant]

How do you connect this to a power supply when you only have two wires?

The third wire is a tachometer - reporting fan speed. You don't need it.

[johnluc]

forgive my ignorance vacant, as it shows two three wire cables i take it they both plug in to the unit ?, do you not use it ie just leave it out, then cut the other three pin plug off and use just the two relevant wires ?

edit: just seen a wiring diagram am i right in saying that all six wires are connected to one plug, power in, power out, so just use relevant wires for input and output.

[vacant]

forgive my ignorance vacant, as it shows two three wire cables i take it they both plug in to the unit ?, do you not use it ie just leave it out, then cut the other three pin plug off and use just the two relevant wires ?

edit: just seen a wiring diagram am i right in saying that all six wires are connected to one plug, power in, power out, so just use relevant wires for input and output.

The fan is plugged into a power supply (in my case I stuff two paper clips into the fan socket then one of those clips around the end of a phone charger and the other clip stuffed into the charger). The fans spins too fast, so I plug one Fanmate cable into the charger (using the paper clips) and the other cable into the fan i.e. Fanmate sits in between. Apart from the ends, each clip has a bit of plastic tape wrapped around for insulation.