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BrianG · 01.20.2007, 06:33 PM

Yeah, I forgot to figure in the effect in the runtime.

Using a fan off a 5 or 6v switching UBEC is actually more efficient that using a 12v regulator to power the 12v fan even thought the 5v one draws more current since the 12v regulator is linear.

Just for reference, most of the small, moderate airflow 12v fans draw between 0.05 and 0.08A each. As you get bigger and/or get ones with more airflow, current can get up to 0.75A for extreme cooling. But the smaller 40mm fans are fine... :)

At any rate, unless you're running lots of fans (3+), the effect on runtime is minimal and can be measured in seconds. This is just a cheap and dirty way to be able to use very commonplace 12v fans without overpowering them with full battery voltage.

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BrianG RC-Monster Admin Offline Posts: 14,609 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Des Moines, IA	01.20.2007, 06:33 PM Yeah, I forgot to figure in the effect in the runtime. Using a fan off a 5 or 6v switching UBEC is actually more efficient that using a 12v regulator to power the 12v fan even thought the 5v one draws more current since the 12v regulator is linear. Just for reference, most of the small, moderate airflow 12v fans draw between 0.05 and 0.08A each. As you get bigger and/or get ones with more airflow, current can get up to 0.75A for extreme cooling. But the smaller 40mm fans are fine... :) At any rate, unless you're running lots of fans (3+), the effect on runtime is minimal and can be measured in seconds. This is just a cheap and dirty way to be able to use very commonplace 12v fans without overpowering them with full battery voltage.