DIY stir plate for free no potentiometer

DIY
1

i set out to build a stir plate about a month ago with things i already had laying around, so i didnt spend a penny. i use this with a 2L erlenmeyer.

Parts:
1 - gun cleaning kit box 12’’ x 7 1/2’’ x 1 5/8’’ thick
1 - computer fan
1 - cell phone charger
1 - hard drive magnet
~NO potentiometer~
2 - 7 in. lengths of 1 3/8 x 1/2 wood ( box is flimsy, needed support for full flask)
electrical tape
gorilla tape
gorilla glue
plexi-glass (spacers for fan)
sticky things for wires lol

 so i built this without a potentiometer...the original plans incorporated 2 separate fans with their own plug ins, for different speeds ( hence the sharpie outlines), but just this one worked regardless of how much fluid was in my flask. i had 3 different computer fans, and about 7 old cell phone chargers to choose from. all different voltages of course. it was just a matter of linking the right fan to the right power source to get a stir that wasnt too strong and wasnt too weak. for my needs this works perfectly. doesnt throw the stir bar after 24 hours (longest ive run it constant) just set my flask on there with stir bar in place, plug it in and leave it. with a full flask there is a slight vortex at the top maybe an inch long...with 4-6 oz of water for rehydrating my dry yeast its still perfect.
2

Nice! I don’t have to use a potentiometer if I hold by flash very very close to the magnets, which basically stops the fan because it is being “held” by the very large magnet I’m using.

I found with a large 1 Gallon jug I need to bring the jug far away from the water. But you are right, if you have a very low power adapter, you don’t need a potentiometer

3

I used one on my stir plate, but have never needed to turn it down. The potentiometer and on/off switch were the only parts I bought.