DIY no-hum Fan speed controller for about $30

[hazedcoast]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]had a lot of issues with trying to control an inline fan (4 inch) without the fan making a humming sound that was really annoying. I tried the speed controllers they sell at hydro stores but my fan kept on humming. Anyways I finally read that I needed to control it with a capacitance level control. So I went to lowe's and built this thing. Just thought it might help someone out, its damn near silent but still moving enough air to cool my 400w HPS.

Parts List:

- Fan speed controller from Lowe's (look at pic)
- grounded extension cord
- electrical gang box (black box to put the controller in)
- wall faceplate



Even though the control is 3 speeds, I find it is really only 1 useable speed. Basically the 3rd speed is full speed so obviously won't need that. The 1st speed isn't enough to run the fan. But the 2nd speed is just right. I mean this isn't the correct solution to for everyone's situation or set-up, but for me it was a life-saver. I had my fan pulling through a small carbon filter on this speed controller and was able to still keep my 400W cool enough. The other types of speed controllers they sell at hydro stores do work no doubt, they slow the fan down, but damn man it was pissing me off how it was humming. I just felt like it wasnt good for the fan if it was making that noise. 3 of these hooked up to 3 different 4in inline fans. They each run 24/7 to exchange air in the tents and control the smell in the flower tent by maintaining a vacuum pressure. Had one going for 7 months straight with zero problems, nothing gets hot or anything like that. Anyways, just thought I would share this if it isnt already out there somewhere else.
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[greenpinky]

Nice work... I was thinking a d.I.y project like this but with an a.c control that will turn on when temps get too high.. then turn off when they level out. But just hooked my controller to my light timer... idk about that humming sound u hear... my runs super quiet 6inch... great idea bro!

 

[sprinkl]

Interesting... My fan makes a lot of wind noise, been looking into this stuff but couldn't find a cheap solution... Seems like the fan is rated at 1A so that should work. Can you give an estimated % how much the different steps are?

 

[hazedcoast]

I would say my fan is running about 20% because of the amount of electricity it was using when i measured it. I mean these fans are relatively powerful, even at just 20% im cooling a HPS bulb and pulling vacuum pressure on the tent. But in the future i might check out one of those 6inch hyper fans with built in speed control. I already had 4inch filter n fans so i went this route of making a speed controller.

 

[StoneyK]

Um isn't a speedster fan control only like 29 bucks?
Mine doesnt hum...lol

 

[hazedcoast]

Yeah man I have one of those too. It will def control the speed of the fan, but from what I understand they are only for brush motor fans. Its not a real loud humming sound, but If you listen to the way the fan is running on this speed control vs the speedster its like night and day. I'm not saying those speed controllers don't work, or even that they will harm the fan I really dont know. All I am saying is from what I understand those controllers are designed to control a different type of motor a brush motor, whereas these inline fans use what I think is called a split capacitor type motor.