That's what happens when you rush through things... :cry:

So, let me get this straight; you are going to chain 7 diodes to get around a 5v drop (7v result)? Why not just use the 12v line as + and the 5v line as the - and be done with it? The diodes work good to bleed off a little voltage, but when you are getting to those levels, there are better ways.

No ground?
It's a metal controller on a metal surface.. :oops:
I hooked it up before, and got some sparks.

I guess I'm confused. I thought you were going to do away with the controller completely and power the fan leads directly via whatever scheme you decided on? Yes, sparks make sense if you are using the controller too; the fan - is probably tied directly to ground, so when you tied the fan - to 5v, you effectively shorted the 5v rain to ground.

No no no, I want to still control the fan from 7V and switch it into 12V and then control from there.
Low on 7V = very quiet, yet still a small airflow, high 7V a little bit louder, more airflow, 12V = gaming.

Okay, got the diodes in today, $3.50 for 50 diodes..

Had one last itty bitty question:

Any of these switches would work, or rather, any SPDT switch would work?

I'm kind of digging the flat lever look, so I could just flip it with my index finger nice and easy...

Anywhere else I could pick up some of these switches, illuminated even?

Thanks

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...odsInSession=1
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...odsInSession=1
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...odsInSession=1
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...odsInSession=1
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...odsInSession=1

So I picked up a DPDT switch (because they didn't have any 3 of them same SPDT switches), and started the soldering.

I found out 7 diodes in series only drops ~3.xx volts, and 14 diodes will drop a 12.25v down to ~7.27V...

Pretty interesting..

Since I can't get 7V direct from the PSU because the controller will be metal-metal, so no grounding = nice shock..

Okay, this thread needs to die, so I can get on with my life :shrug:

Discovered that my initial idea was the stupidest thing, ever.

Putting a ~5V drop in between the fan controller and power, would do nothing.

The fan controller already voltages (I could've swore it did RPM variable, but not voltage.. oh well) from ~7V to 12.25V, low being ~7V, and high being ~12V.

So, the thought of dropping the volt down to 7V (because I thought fan was always on 12V, even on low), would actually drop it ~2V...

Which also means I purchased 50 diodes, and soldered 42 diodes in series of 14's for nothing...

In any case, I'm gonna return these DPDT switches for some SPST lighted switched, and just make an on/off switch for the controllers.

Thanks everyone for their help! The next post will be some pictures..

At least it was good soldering practice...... :lol:

Well, finally rode out to radio shack, exchanged the DPDT Center Off switches for some SPST On/Off ones to do the final step. (since parents didn't give me a ride, and I've been sick for the past 3 1/2 weeks, I had to ride my bike..)

Anyways, I cut out the PCI bracket (the 90 degree part), drilled out some holes for the PCI Fan controller, and bolted it up (didn't wanna use glue for easy removal).

I wired up the switch for the positive yellow wire (hope that won't do any big damage to anything, besides the wire).

And here they are!
Up position is on, bottom is off.
I feel pretty cool going down the line and just flipping them all on/off.
Makes for a pretty quiet machine when I need one too! and then when I start gaming, pop open the panel, flip em all on, and go about my merry way.

Video:
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g6...trollerMod.jpg

Pictures:
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g6...4/IMG_5088.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g6...4/IMG_5087.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g6...4/IMG_5086.jpg

Is that a Z-5500? :smile: :smile: :great:

It is indeed! :yes:
Brother had it at home for like a year, because he wasn't able to bring it with him when he went off to med school across the country (West Virginia... hick village! :whistle:), and then decided I could use it in the mean time so brought me back some speaker wires.

Had me some Z-640's before, that he passed down to me before, and now the Z5500.

Damn thing is huge!
You have one?

I do. :yes:

I've had them for a few years. They are the best set of speakers I've ever had on my PC! All of the bad reviews online were from people who had no idea what an equalizer was... HiFi audio isn't plug-and-play.

I still have a set of Z-2200's I'm still using. I got them right when they were coming out with the newer version way back, so I had a $100 instant rebate for the "old" version.

Hehe, I haven't tuned them or anything.
I'm not a huge audiophile, so it's not a huge deal, though it's pretty easy to setup IMO.

Configured a few settings, and blamo, all done.
And I'm currently running off my mobo soundcard (I know.. :whip:) with just one connection (green to green, hehe. Only supports 2.1!).

So the speakers are just warming up whenever I use them, they never get to stretch their legs, they're pretty much on PLII Music all the time, soo..