stir plate problem

[big_fat_bald_german_butt]

I just built a stir plate as shown in BYO. I tested the fan before I started...worked fine. Once I glued the magnet to the fan hub, tested again and it worked fine. I left this sit over night and when I went to assemble all the parts, I found my fan wants to spin both ways ways, stops and starts and just plain runs like crap. I removed the magnet and it still runs like crap.

Did I magnitize the fan motor somehow?

[Lufah]

Sounds like you got wires touching somewhere or a short. Check all your wires again. Post a pic of the guts if you can so we can see how you wired it up.


Travis

[big_fat_bald_german_butt]

I picked up another fan so I'll try that. Unless the fan shorted, the wires are good. I was just concerned about magnetizing the winding within the fan motor. I'll let you know what happens. Thx !

[bub]

I don't know much, but I know I lov... never mind... anyway
I don't think muffin fans have windings as per a traditional motor, I think they are magnetic drive or some such shit... anyway I never had that problem other than sometimes I need to move the stirbar magnet a little farther away from the fan magnet to allow it to spin... (I use a slim CD case in between)
BUB

[big_fat_bald_german_butt]

Bub,

I've not torn a 12vDC motor apart so you may be right. I took the fan from a Dell machine (might be the best part!). No sure why it whacked-out. I'm using a variable DC power supply. I've seen some designs that use two magnets, the BYO article uses only one magnet.

Any input?

[bub]

a. I use 1 magnet as well
b. take the magnet off and if it still dosen't spin go spend the 2 bux on a new fan
c. my problem with locking up is when I have a starter on with the stir bar, if I space it up a bit it turns fine.
BUB

[big_fat_bald_german_butt]

Bub,

I swapped the fan and tried it again. My fan must of been dicked. I added a second magnet to help balance the load on the fan hub and reduce the vibration. I put a 12v DC switch and a power LED on my rig.....works great. I'm brewing this weekend so I'll start my yeast tonight. Will post my results regarding the new stir plate.

[big_fat_bald_german_butt]

The stir plate works great. Getting the stir bar to spin takes some trial & error but it works. I'm working to put a pot in the circuit to control the speed via the pot.