Hey everyone! I'm trying to figure out the amp draw for a 12V fan on two different settings and I've got a $50 DC power supply ready for the job. I plan to use a multimeter to measure the amperage while it's connected. My main confusion is about how the amperage setting works on the power supply. I've set it to 12V and 2 amps—does that mean the power supply can provide up to 2 amps, or is it forcing 2 amps through? I want to understand how this works since I'm still learning. Also, I tried connecting it to a car battery, which read 4 amps on the multimeter, but the fan didn't turn on. Can anyone help me out? Thanks!
2 Answers
To measure the amperage correctly, a clamp-on ammeter is your best bet. Just connect it around one of the leads (positive or negative) and you'll get an accurate reading without disrupting the circuit. As for your fan, check if it’s for a different voltage or if there's anything blocking it from turning. If it’s pulling more than it should, that could be bad news!
When you set your power supply to 12V and 2 amps, it essentially means the supply can provide up to 2 amps if the fan needs that much. It won’t force 2 amps; instead, the fan will draw whatever it needs up to that limit. If it's only pulling 1 amp, that's all it will use. When connecting it to a car battery, if it was drawing 4 amps but not spinning, it likely means the motor is malfunctioning. Be careful with that setup to avoid damage!
Exactly! Also, if you set your power supply to Constant Voltage (CV) mode, it’ll nicely regulate the output. Always good to check if the fan's okay to avoid burning anything out.
Good point! If it’s not turning, the fan could be jammed or defective. Always check for any physical blockages before diving deeper!