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United Kingdom
Asked
Resolved Resolved by ptp!

Can I Use 'Continuous Servo' For A Cooling Fan?

Can anybody suggest how I can power a fan from an EZB and control it using something like 'Continuous Servo'?

Related Hardware EZ-B v4
Related Control Continuous Servo

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PRO
USA
#1  
There are at least 3 types of Power fans:
A) 2 wires (+, -)
B) 3 wires (+, -, TACH)
C) 4 wires (+, -, TACH, PWM)

A, B types:

For A, B types you can connect a H-bridge https://www.ez-robot.com/Shop/AccessoriesDetails.aspx?prevCat=9&productNumber=14 and you can control the fan with https://synthiam.com/Support/Skills/Movement-Panels/Dual-HBridge-w-PWM?id=16067 control.

it works similar to a continuous servo but is not a continuous servo.

C type:
The fan has a embedded micro-controller, and the proper way to drive the fan is to use the PWM pin.
Note: Some fan's PWM pin requires a high frequency i.e. 25Khz. 
You can try connect the PWM pin to an EZB's digital pin and use the pwm slider: https://synthiam.com/Support/Skills/Pwm/PWM-Slider?id=16047
IF does not work due the frequency (EZB PWM is not 25Khz) you will need an arduino micro-controller  and code some custom firmware to generate the 25Khz frequency.

it works similar to a continuous servo but is not a continuous servo.
PRO
Synthiam
#2  
And one further suggestion is to remove the electronic pcb from a continuous rotation servo and connect it to a regular fan. 

that way you use the servo pcb to control the fan speed. And in ARC you’ll just a regular continuous rotation servo control with speed for both directions:)
#3  
Both @PTP and @DJ Sures answers assume you want speed control on the fan.  For a simple on off, you just need a transistor (and potentially a voltage regulator or alternate power source depending on whether the fan can run on the same voltage you are providing to your controller).

Alan
PRO
Synthiam
#4  
Ha ha ya and Alan is right on that observation :). The easiest solution is the most elegant
United Kingdom
#5  
Thanks very much for details of the numerous options. This level of support is amazing!!!!!
PRO
Synthiam
#6  
Let us know how it works out for you
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