Grove Mini Fan

Quick Answer: The Grove Mini Fan is a small DC-motor fan module with a Grove connector, so a microcontroller can switch it on and off and vary its speed from a single port. The Grove mini fan brings real movement into coding projects, most often as the cooling output of a temperature-controlled system.

Driving a Motor from a Controller Pin

A microcontroller pin cannot supply the current a motor needs, and motors produce voltage spikes when they switch off that can damage a pin. Motor modules such as the Grove Mini Fan therefore normally place driver electronics between the signal pin and the motor. The pin only gives the instruction; the module switches the motor current. That split between control signal and power circuit is one of the most important ideas in electronics.

Speed control uses pulse-width modulation. The motor is switched on and off many times a second, and the fraction of time it is on sets the average power and so the speed. Students can map a sensor reading to fan speed, so a warmer reading spins the fan faster, a simple form of proportional control.

The parts supplied with the module, such as the blade and cable, and the fan’s supply requirements should be confirmed before ordering.

Applications

• Temperature-controlled cooling fans triggered by the Grove Temperature and Humidity Sensor
• Greenhouse and smart-home ventilation models
• Investigating how PWM duty cycle affects motor speed
• Evaporation and wind-chill demonstrations comparing drying rates with and without air flow

Care & Handling

• Keep fingers, hair and paper away from the blade of the Grove Mini Fan while it runs.
• Mount the fan firmly so it cannot walk across the desk or strike other components when it starts.
• Check the controller’s power supply can support the motor; if the board resets when the fan starts, use a stronger supply.
• Clear dust and threads from around the motor shaft before storage.

Specifications

Why Choose LabEquip

Motor outputs make automation projects feel real, so teachers often add fans once students have mastered LEDs and buzzers. LabEquip lists the mini fan in its range of STEM kits; send class numbers and your controller type through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t the fan be wired straight to a controller pin?

A motor draws much more current than a pin can safely supply and creates voltage spikes when switched off. The driver circuit on a motor module handles the current, so the pin only sends a control signal.

How is the fan speed controlled?

With pulse-width modulation. The motor is switched on and off rapidly and the proportion of on-time sets its average power and speed. Writing a higher PWM value makes the fan spin faster.

Why does my controller reset when the fan starts?

The motor draws a surge of current at start-up, which can pull the supply voltage down. Use a stronger power supply rather than a computer USB port, or start the fan gradually by ramping up the PWM value.

Can the fan run in both directions?

Reversing a motor needs a driver that can swap the current direction. Whether this module supports reverse depends on its driver circuit, so plan projects around forward running unless reversal has been verified.

Is the fan safe for students?

It is small, but a spinning blade can still flick fingers or catch hair. Supervise use, keep hands clear while it runs and switch it off before adjusting anything.

What is a good first project with the fan?

A thermostat: read a temperature sensor and switch the fan on above a set temperature and off below a slightly lower one. Making the speed rise with temperature is the natural next step.

Last Updated: September 2026