Here is a list of everything you’ll need to make your very own stir plate.
1-project box (can be had at radioshack for ~6$)
1-12v-dc computer fan
1-9v plug(you can use different voltage adapter so long as it powers the fan)
1-rheostat (can be had at radioshack for ~3$)
1-knob (for rheostat)
2-magnets
Super Glue
Start off by drilling a hole in the back of your project box big enough for your adapter wire to feed through. Then of course, feed the adapter wire through the hole.
Next you want to drill a hole in the front of the box big enough to mount the rheostat.
Locate the positive wire on the adapter and connect it to the rheostat. (Usually the wire with the white stripe is the positive). But you can determine it by using a volt meter.
Connect the power wire from the fan to the the rheostat and connect the ground wire directly to the ground on the fan side.
Now you want to mount the rheostat in the project box. After it is secure you can add the knob.
Next dab a little super glue on the underside of the fan and mount it in place. Depending on the strength of your magnets you may need to secure them in place as well. The magnets i used were out of throttle units for a volvo. They are extremely strong rare earth magnets so no glue was necessary.
Put on the top of your project box and you’re done. Now test out your brand new stir plate. And enjoy the savings!
Here we have a video of the stir plate in action.
2 comments on “Make your own Stir Plate”
I did something similar, except i skipped the project box, the controller, and the transformer.
cpu fan plugs directly into wall.
stacks of pennies at the corners of the fan keep the beaker elevated off the magnet.
all in all cost me $0.16 (4 pennies in each of 4 stacks) since i had these parts laying around =]
Yes it can absolutely be done for cheaper if you just happen to have all the parts needed. But this is just to show how a fairly cheap stir plate can be built that is a somewhat clean setup. The rheostat is nice because you can control the speed of the stir bar depending on the size of the starter.
Here is a list of everything you’ll need to make your very own stir plate.
Next you want to drill a hole in the front of the box big enough to mount the rheostat.
Locate the positive wire on the adapter and connect it to the rheostat. (Usually the wire with the white stripe is the positive). But you can determine it by using a volt meter.
Connect the power wire from the fan to the the rheostat and connect the ground wire directly to the ground on the fan side.
Now you want to mount the rheostat in the project box. After it is secure you can add the knob.
Next dab a little super glue on the underside of the fan and mount it in place. Depending on the strength of your magnets you may need to secure them in place as well. The magnets i used were out of throttle units for a volvo. They are extremely strong rare earth magnets so no glue was necessary.
Put on the top of your project box and you’re done. Now test out your brand new stir plate. And enjoy the savings!
I did something similar, except i skipped the project box, the controller, and the transformer.
cpu fan plugs directly into wall.
stacks of pennies at the corners of the fan keep the beaker elevated off the magnet.
all in all cost me $0.16 (4 pennies in each of 4 stacks) since i had these parts laying around =]
Yes it can absolutely be done for cheaper if you just happen to have all the parts needed. But this is just to show how a fairly cheap stir plate can be built that is a somewhat clean setup. The rheostat is nice because you can control the speed of the stir bar depending on the size of the starter.