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I have a PWM control box made for standard 4 pin PC type fans (12v). It has a potentiometer to control the fan speed via PWM. It is powered by its own 12v supply. I would like to exchange this manual potentiometer with one that is controlled by a 0-10V signal. The 0-10v signal is coming from an aquarium controller and is intended to adjust an LED driver. I can program this aquarium controller to vary the voltage based on sensor inputs. Ideally adjusting fan speed based on temp/humidity/pH sensors via the 0-10v output.

My biggest concern is not damaging the expensive aquarium controller (source of 0-10v). I obviously need to crack open the PWM fan controller and measure the potentiometer.

I'm having difficulty figuring out what I need to use or search for. A digital potentiometer seems close, but needs more inputs than I can provide.

Fan PWM: https://noctua.at/en/na-fc1

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The most interesting way might be to use one of the Atmel ATTiny chips (ATTiny 13A would do it) or an Arduino. Divide the 0-10v by a convenient amount (2 or 3), read it in to the ADC and generate a PWM signal proportional to the input voltage.

If you want to do it the easy way, then this seems to be exactly what you need.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Good point, a PWM controller is not hard to make from scratch, no need to try to understand someone else's one. \$\endgroup\$
    – user253751
    Sep 7, 2018 at 3:34
  • \$\begingroup\$ That easy way is I think exactly what I need for a perfect solution. I can convert the 0-10v analog signal to PWM from the board you linked and send it to My Noctua PWM module for the fan. The Noctua unit will treat it like a PWM signal from a MOBO and run at that speed. While still allowing me to use the potentiometer to attenuate the speed and also utilize the anti-stall function. Thanks BobT, I would have not found that board without your help! \$\endgroup\$
    – Diznaster
    Sep 8, 2018 at 3:30

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