temperature controll fan using lm35

GopherT

Joined Nov 23, 2012
8,009
After answering above questions about your motor,
- What temp do you want it to turn on (barely),
- what temp do you want it to be half speed,
- what temp do you want it full speed?
 

GopherT

Joined Nov 23, 2012
8,009
Hi, you need two Pots, one for the offset to raise the output voltage of the LM35 to a voltage high enough to turn on the Transistor (about 1.2 V). The quiescent current of LM35 (existing ground pin) is a fairly constant 60 microAmps. To add about 1V to the room temp output of LM35 (0.25V), you'll need to use ohms law to see why I selected the pot size that I recommended with the 60 microvolts.

The high-gain of a darlington transistor is needed because you are trying to go from zero current to full power with only a 10 degree (100 mV) change.

My recommendation of a 5k assumes a full stall torque (1A) range. I don't have enough information to get free running current to see your real max current for your application (fan pitch etc). In reality, you may need a 100k pot there to really get a slow-fast transistoon over the 10-degree temp change. A 5k ohm may give more of an on/off effect.

IMG_0029.PNG
 

GopherT

Joined Nov 23, 2012
8,009
Ok I will try it thanks
It will be a lot easier with an op amp between the LM35 and the transistor. Or even using Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to control the transistor - especially if you add a micro controller.

PWM allows much lower speed to be maintained than straight analog like my latest circuit.
 
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