12v LED dimmer switch on 12v muffin fan to control speed?

[zuren]

Just wondering if this will work as I'm not the most savvy with 12v solutions:

I have an Antec Big Boy 200mm computer cooling fan - http://www.amazon.com/Antec-Big-Boy-200-Computer/dp/B000V6FKGM


It is 3 speeds via a VERY tiny 3-position switch that hangs off the side (the whole switch unit is about the size of my pinky nail). The specs can be found here and it draws 0.08A, 0.17A and .3A at it's respective L,M,H settings:

http://www.antec.com/pdf/flyers/BIgBoy_sellsheet.pdf

Here is my question - Can I keep the fan switch on Hi and instead use a 12v dimmer switch for LED lighting to control speed and on/off?

I'm looking at this dimmer switch: http://www.amazon.com/Inline-Dimmer-LED-Strips-Ledwholesalers/dp/B004T9ITQ0/ref=reg_hu-rd_add_1_dp


It handles up to 2A and would be far easier and more durable to use than the tiny switch on the fan.

Just trying to come up with a reliable, easy to use solution for some fans in my van.

Thanks!

 

[dwh]

Um. I'm not much of an electronics engineer, but I don't think it will work. Can't say for sure though. I think it might work if you had an old style single-speed fan with brushes, but I get an itchy feeling it won't work with a brushless multi-speed fan.

If you go ask over on the forum at NAWS - www.wind-sun.com/forum - a bunch of engineers will jump on it and give you the answer, and a bunch of math to back it up.

 

[zuren]

Um. I'm not much of an electronics engineer, but I don't think it will work. Can't say for sure though. I think it might work if you had an old style single-speed fan with brushes, but I get an itchy feeling it won't work with a brushless multi-speed fan.

If you go ask over on the forum at NAWS - www.wind-sun.com/forum - a bunch of engineers will jump on it and give you the answer, and a bunch of math to back it up.

You may be right. I did some more searching and found this review for a different dimmer on Amazon but still PMW:

Attaching a 12v computer fan to this dimmer (using above power supply or my computer's power supply) makes the fan produce some crazy noise when it's "dimming" the output voltage, even when I stop the blades from turning. Sounds like nails against a chalkboard. But when the dial is turned up all the way there's no noise from the fan and it's like normal. The power supply sounds normal this way, but it may be hard to hear with the noise from the fan. So using LEDs the noise is in the power supply (even slightly when I use my computer's power supply), but using a fan the noise is in the fan itself. Kind of strange. It may be related to the device powered, if it's current limited or voltage limited.

While not the same dimmer, I take this as a strong indication that it may not work as desired.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I would try an automotive dash light dimmer before I spent any money, but Im ultra cheap.

Nice find on the fan BTW

 

[herm]

you can use a standard pot, not a pwm controller.