Cheap USB Fan Speed Controller Test & Review - from AliExpress for less than $1

This is a cheap 80p(!) fan speed controller I bought recently from AliExpress. It connects between a power source (like your laptop USB socket) and a desktop fan. It's limited to 5W output, but that should be more than enough.
If you're looking for this, the listing is titled: 'DC 4V-12V 5W XY-FS USB Fan Stepless Governor USB Fan Speed Controller Multi-Gear Auxiliary Cooling Tool'.
If you're in the UK, you should visit TopCashback before placing an AliExpress order.. they're currently offering 8% cashback! www.topcashbac...
UPDATE; one thing to note is that I plugged in a neat little USB power monitor (also bought from AliExpress some time ago) and you can see the voltage change.. it can be so low that it doesn't power the meter, and the voltage can actually go way over 5v, so you have to be careful not to damage whatever you've got connected. As noted by 'bummers' in the comments, this means it's using a voltage potentiometer (rather than pwm).
I only recommend products I buy & would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. This content may contain affiliate links that (at no additional cost to you) may earn me a small commission.

[@vincentlee2460]

I thought the monitor meter should be plugged between the regulator and load device? If you plug in as shown, the voltage will always be 5v since it is before any regulation.

[@grandtheftauto1233]

Just got one. Very cool I like usb fan but the speeds are always a bit too slow in my opinion. This works awesome! Additionally this makes an awesome controller for the LED lights that use usb power. However I’d be careful to not over drive those

[@Endpoint101]

Thanks for the tip!

[@harezy]

These are good little things. Trying to find a schematic so I can design some cases for it. Surprisingly a really useful little thing..

[@Endpoint101]

Absolutely! So any uses.. here’s one where I used it as dimmable nightlight… kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpOlm6eDZrt1eq8

[@Endpoint101]

Let us know if you find a schematic

[@harezy]

@@Endpoint101 No luck for this design, Looked for hours, Then thought I would use solidworks and do it my self. err nope thats some confusing stuff, Leave it to big clive. If I really need one I will get my step farther to do it as thats his job, Im just playing about with idears. Lik you channel already subbed..

[@christ3976]

@@harezy Just found this youtube video through google while looking to see if there were cases available to this little unit.. My fusion360 skills are very limited but if and when I get one of these to try I may throw together a simple case for it. There also seems to be atleast two different layouts for this unit

[@harezy]

@@christ3976 Yeh I know lol. Already done the cad on one, just making it look nice, Mines for the smaller one 35x17.5 pcb. But I need to get this printed then see how it looks/fits then will get them on ebay 👍Gonna be hard with so many diffrent ones for sale. !

[@TangoGood]

Might help someone: Maximum output voltage can be reduced or increased by changing resistors in the voltage divider. For example I changed the 3K R2 (nearest to pot) to a 100 Ohm and dropped the 8.5V to 6.7V.

[@Endpoint101]

Awesome info.. thanks for sharing!

[@RobertoFabrizi]

Is it possible to buy one that steps up and down the fan based on room temperature?

[@riskinhos]

that's called a thermostat. yes there's some. more complex and more expensive but still very doable

[@paulalex9977]

Thank you very much it help a lot. Keep it going :)

[@Endpoint101]

Thanks! 👍

[@tartanrambo]

Thank you for this tip. Mine arrived today. But, I noticed the circuitry is exposed and liable to be damaged. Do you (or other viewers on this channel) have any tips about how I could enclose this in a little box to give it some protection? I only ask because I'm no electronic hobbyist (or genius!).

[@Endpoint101]

I’m interested to know too 🙂

[@coaster3656]

go to a hardware store and get a small junction box. use a screwdriver or drill to make a hole for the knob

[@tartanrambo]

@@coaster3656 Thank you! I attached mine to a magnetic stirrer and it works perfectly. Greetings from Scotland!

[@noxvera8531]

Does it make a noticeable difference in fan speed? Is it worth the money I paid?

[@Endpoint101]

Yes, I've been really happy with it.. well for $1 :)

[@gutenpratenhil618]

nice video :D but i have a question: Where do u buy the "USB Meter" i really like it, where do u buy it, or can u please tell me how can i find :D thx :3

[@Endpoint101]

You should be able to find a bunch on ebay, Amazon or AliExpress.. they’re quite handy & are generally nice and cheap 😁

[@endadalton]

I bought a similar item on Amazon and the voltage went up to 19 volts. So beware.

[@Endpoint101]

😯

[@tromick]

Everyone wants you to try something. Can you control 139 fan with it? Can you run Crysis with it? lol... It is great device. This is what i was looking for! I wish you had more silent fan. I recommend you Opolar 9 inch usb desk fan. I can't buy due to it is not available on my country.

[@Endpoint101]

😂🤣

[@sans6308]

are you still using it? how hot does it get?

[@1olas]

great vid....do you think this would be any good for 12v ps4 cooling fan?...i need to have an external input for the fan as the power connector has been ripped off the motherboard and dont want to have fan running at full capacity unless needed...if not have you any reccomendations for similar products that would be suitable?

[@Endpoint101]

I'm afraid I don't know.. I've not had any experience with the PS4

[@1olas]

@@Endpoint101 ok thanks anyway...i think i found a solution

[@HeavyBreathingGamerXD]

Did this work for you ? I have the same issue

[@1olas]

@@HeavyBreathingGamerXD I still havent ordered any parts yet...its turned into just another project on the sidelines...lol

[@Endpoint101]

😂🤣

[@bummers]

Can you try plugging the voltage/Amperage meter on the output end? This will show the actual output to the fan. Is this using pwm or voltage potentiometer? If the latter, plugging in at the output end will show changes in the voltage itself.

[@Endpoint101]

Good tip. I plugged in a neat little usb power monitor (also bought from AliExpress some time ago) and the voltage changes.. it can be so low that it doesn't power the meter, and the voltage can actually go way over 5v, so you have to be careful not to damage whatever you've got connected.

[@vgd409]

its going to show a change in voltage even if its a pwm. it will depend on the width of the pulses. like a 50% width with a high of 5v and low of 0 volts will show a voltage of 2.5 volts

[@aleksandrk9703]

@@Endpoint101 You plugged the voltage meter between the battery and controller rather than between controller and fan. That's why your voltage always shows 5V, rather than a changing voltage. Also, you don't know how much of the power it shows is used by the fan or is dissipated in the controller.

[@Endpoint101]

Ohhh! 🤦‍♂️

[@GannDolph]

This uses constant voltage buck/boost not PWM. With the same/similar fan as OP running, the module i just tested goes from 2.41v up to 8.56v. I soldered a double USB port to mine to plug in two of those fans. It gets hot and cuts out at a significant boost over 5v, so with two fans can go up to 5.5v or maybe 6v, and down to ~2.5v. The 5watt limit appears to be real, most likely a result of the tiny inductors and 1amp shottky diode that's mislabeled as 3amp (classic chinese trick on many of these modules). i'm going to swap out the diode and the boosting inductor and see if it can run 6 to 6.5v on two fans whilst staying coolio...

[@Makonator007]

I just bought 5v usb fan to cool my andorid box, but thing is too loud...Can I use this to slow blades down? or this only can boost 5v fans to higher speed?

[@Endpoint101]

Yes, you can slow the blades down with this :)

[@1109bigred]

I am wondering if you could use this with a USB hub to control the speed of several fans?

[@Endpoint101]

Good question.. not sure! I’ve only got one fan to test it with.. I’d imagine it’d work tho.. let me know if you try it!

[@Birawster]

can we use this controller on led strip, as brightness controller ?

[@Endpoint101]

Yes, probably :) Check out this video where I was able to do it with a USB powered light .. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpOlm6eDZrt1eq8

[@Birawster]

@@Endpoint101 thank you, just what i needed

[@hikodzu]

Is there a way to make it so that i can control it via my phone/wireless?

[@Endpoint101]

No, but that sounds like a fun electronics project 🙂

[@rickyneeter69]

Can it make it spin faster than what it is doing normally?

[@Endpoint101]

I think so, yes, just be careful not to burn it out!

[@grandtheftauto1233]

Yes you can! I think this puts out about 8v peak which can give a big boost to the usb fan!

[@ongnoi9265]

Thiết bị này có thể lên 8V không bạn?

[@Endpoint101]

Yes, I believe it will. The spec says DC 4V-12V 5W.

[@pimthiyaz8675]

How much price

[@Endpoint101]

$1/£1 .. it's that cheap. Take a look on AliExpress. Search term is ''DC 4V-12V 5W XY-FS USB Fan Stepless Governor USB Fan Speed Controller Multi-Gear Auxiliary Cooling Tool".

[@shaunwhiteley3544]

Nice 👍. Cheers

[@Endpoint101]

Thanks!

[@PreeyanshMehta]

If i use a pc fan like a noctua fan from a splitter to USB A will that work

[@Endpoint101]

I don't see why not, but maybe someone who's done this can comment to confirm?

[@123coven6]

im also wondering the same thing