BYO Stirplate
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:33 pm
Just finished my homemade stirplate and I'm happy with the results. I visited several brewboard threads and worked out a wiring scheme that worked best for my needs. The concept is the same as Bill's: it's a case fan from an old pc with a powerful magnet salvaged from a SCSI hdd attached to it, then mounted in an old russian electronix box. I used a simple spst automotive switch to turn the thing on and off and a pot to adjust the speed.
I chose to use the LM317t variable voltage regulator with homemade heatsink as a safety precaution for prolonged use. You can see the heatsink is just a bent up 9v battery clip that couples with the IC and provides surface area for heat dissipation.
Overall I'd say it was a great afternoon job for the DIYer. The whole thing cost me about $14 because I had plenty of parts laying around including a 12v DC adapter. It could be done cheaper if you choose to skip the LM317t but it's only a couple bucks and it'll help you sleep at night when you're stepping up those bombs.
I chose to use the LM317t variable voltage regulator with homemade heatsink as a safety precaution for prolonged use. You can see the heatsink is just a bent up 9v battery clip that couples with the IC and provides surface area for heat dissipation.
Overall I'd say it was a great afternoon job for the DIYer. The whole thing cost me about $14 because I had plenty of parts laying around including a 12v DC adapter. It could be done cheaper if you choose to skip the LM317t but it's only a couple bucks and it'll help you sleep at night when you're stepping up those bombs.
