Done! Electric fan speed control...I'm not an electrician in any way, shape, or form

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by workingonit

[B]... I'll still have to determine what the single-bar and double-bar markings on the switch mean. ...

FWIW, that same style switch is often used on 12v halogen desk lamps - single-bar puts 6v on lamp, double-bar puts 12v on lamp.

Single-bar is half-power/speed, double-bar is full power/speed. Usually...!

Of course, that makes no sense in this application, so it may be wired to give forward and reverse, as you suspect.

*edit* - one of the video reviews on the Amazon page where you purchased the controller shows the reverse operation.

[workingonit]

Originally Posted by wpoll

FWIW, that same style switch is often used on 12v halogen desk lamps - single-bar puts 6v on lamp, double-bar puts 12v on lamp.

Single-bar is half-power/speed, double-bar is full power/speed. Usually...!

Of course, that makes no sense in this application, so it may be wired to give forward and reverse, as you suspect.

*edit* - one of the video reviews on the Amazon page where you purchased the controller shows the reverse operation.

The product link I gave (now the ICQUANZX unit is sold without the plastic case, and the one I just received with the case, is no longer available) no longer shows a video (there were two videos).

But, there's another seller with a single video, which as far as I can tell, shows the user first setting the rocker to the mid-position (whereupon he sets the power% to 34%), then he flips the switch to the double-bar side (on the viewer's right) to run the Dremel. Is that what you observed?

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by workingonit

The product link I gave (now the ICQUANZX unit is sold without the plastic case, and the one I just received with the case, is no longer available) no longer shows a video (there were two videos).

But, there's another seller with a single video, which as far as I can tell, shows the user first setting the rocker to the mid-position (whereupon he sets the power% to 34%), then he flips the switch to the double-bar side (on the viewer's right) to run the Dremel. Is that what you observed?

The video had two small boat motors attached (trawling motors?).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081YYG5MG still shows two videos for me.

[workingonit]

Originally Posted by wpoll

The video had two small boat motors attached (trawling motors?).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081YYG5MG still shows two videos for me.

My link wasn't, but now is working???? Both videos are present, again. My ATT&T internet, YouTube, AdBlockerPlus, and Amazon don't play well togeter, sometimes.

The trolling motor video convinced me to buy the unit, but I didn't see which side of the switch is which.

Can you tell which side of the switch is used to make the fan go forward, in either video? It does seem that in both videos, you should start the motor from either a low power setting, or even safer, from zero%.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by workingonit

... Can you tell which side of the switch is used to make the fan go forward, in either video? It does seem that in both videos, you should start the motor from either a low power setting, or even safer, from zero%.

Looks like the double-bar is forward and the single-bar is reverse. He starts off with the forward direction (stated verbally) and the switch is set to the double-bar.

[workingonit]

[workingonit]

I was thinking that I probably don't need to send the two controller "grounds" to a battery ground, as I originally planned, and not even pass them thru the firewall. Since I'll be mounting the controller in the front ashtray slot, the negative wires can ground on either a console mounting bolt, or to the nearest seat mounting bolt; both should be sufficient for an <20 amp circuit.

This way, only the two positive wires must pass thru the firewall plug (easier to pass and seal it afterwards), because they must connect directly to components in the engine bay.

I was going to use a PEX sleeve to pass the four wires thru the firewall (I've used similar sleeves to do so in other places and applications), but now I can use a large phillips screwdriver to punch a smaller hole there, and push each of the two wires thru, with a flat bade, then reseal it with Great Stuff (it's insect-proof & a moisture barrier).

[wpoll]

The audio engineer in me says maybe don't use the car body as the return path for the fan motor earth connection. While it will work (electrically speaking) you can't be sure what running decent currents through the car body will do to other systems. Any loose or bad earth connection could experience a raised voltage potential, causing all manner of odd issues.

And if you go down that route, then run a proper return for the power supply also - it's no big issue to run four wires through the firewall rather than two.

[80stech]

If you hook it up like that then you risk blowing the controller if you hit reverse.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by 80stech

If you hook it up like that then you risk blowing the controller if you hit reverse.

I didn't even think of that!! But yeah, that seals it - isolated wiring runs!!