K
karl420
isnt that possible to mount with an digital temp / hum% ?? im VERY interesseted anybody hook me up Please!! 
~staysafe
-Karl
~staysafe
-Karl
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DIY Thermostatic Fan Speed Controller
- Thread starter Harry Gypsna
- Start date
sensifactory
Member
Brilliant. Notch up another person who is building one!
Gonna try a 2 fan model!
Gonna try a 2 fan model!
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sensifactory
Member
Actually I'm using a device similar to this;
http://www.northernbrewer.com/temp-control.html
or Google even eBay ' Refrigerator Temperature Controller'
the one I have is a 'Prodigy Italiana'.
The controller I use can be used to activate if it goes OVER the temperature as well as when it stays UNDER. i.e. can heat if too cold, as well as cool if too hot.
Cost is about 6-9 Euro from a fridge specialist (compressors etc. etc, probably industrial applications) depending on manufacturer, so try not to pay the ludicrous price on the page I linked to.
Temp. range is -30 to +30 degrees. The temperature differential is 2 degrees, so it is very accurate.
Also, it has an external sensor which is attached to the end of a cable, as can be seen in the images.. perfect for dangling wherever you feel is a heat spot!
Hope this helps, they were rather bewildered that the unit would be used to control fans!
http://www.northernbrewer.com/temp-control.html
or Google even eBay ' Refrigerator Temperature Controller'
the one I have is a 'Prodigy Italiana'.
The controller I use can be used to activate if it goes OVER the temperature as well as when it stays UNDER. i.e. can heat if too cold, as well as cool if too hot.
Cost is about 6-9 Euro from a fridge specialist (compressors etc. etc, probably industrial applications) depending on manufacturer, so try not to pay the ludicrous price on the page I linked to.
Temp. range is -30 to +30 degrees. The temperature differential is 2 degrees, so it is very accurate.
Also, it has an external sensor which is attached to the end of a cable, as can be seen in the images.. perfect for dangling wherever you feel is a heat spot!
Hope this helps, they were rather bewildered that the unit would be used to control fans!
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sensifactory
Member
If you buy the temp controller by itself, you basically have temperature controlled fans for under 9 Euro! No extra wiring necessary!
Bargain I'd say, and with a little extra effort you have just made a fan controller for 1/10th of the price of a commercial unit.
Don't you find it funny that these controllers are used when taking care of brewing a sister plant in order to make beer?
Bargain I'd say, and with a little extra effort you have just made a fan controller for 1/10th of the price of a commercial unit.
Don't you find it funny that these controllers are used when taking care of brewing a sister plant in order to make beer?
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sensifactory
Member
Got munchies, decided to take a photo of the set-up while I wait for the pizza to bake.
Controller 6-9 Euro.
Fan potentiometers - 4 Euro each.
Simple and effective!
Thoughts welcome.
Controller 6-9 Euro.
Fan potentiometers - 4 Euro each.
Simple and effective!
Thoughts welcome.
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sensifactory
Member
And here is the completed article, done as cheaply as possible (1 empty ice cream tub for a box!)
This is a dual fan controller.
All that needs to happen is for 1 power lead to go in, and 2 fans to be connected up!
If anyone wants one made (with a proper enclosure, this was done just to see if it can be done thus), let me know as we're thinking of starting to sell these, ready to go!
This is a dual fan controller.
All that needs to happen is for 1 power lead to go in, and 2 fans to be connected up!
If anyone wants one made (with a proper enclosure, this was done just to see if it can be done thus), let me know as we're thinking of starting to sell these, ready to go!
Hey there Sensifactory Nicely done.... i dunno about selling em though...you gotta get em checked officially for safety standards and stuff-this all costs money, then theres the public liability insurance.... unless ur already in the enviromental controls industry already it wil be hard...... lots of hassle plus the existing ones on the market cost the price they do because theres expenses involved in manufacuring for the market... and it wouldnt end up much cheaper than the prima unit(85-120 quid depending where you get it) just because of the taxes and shit. I had the same thought sorry to be a downer.......
right then
Im still waiting for the remote sensor cooling thermostat to use( i thinki ive found one i can use but it willhave to be taken out of its existing housing and im not 100% certain it can be without severing the sensor wire, if any wants to see the one i think i can use google Habistat cool control) so for now im making a new impoved version with the existing thermostat, using twin speedos like you have done(im gutted youve beaten me to it actually lol)....and also another speedo to lower the top speed the the fan runs at when it kicks in to give complete control... I have badly mismatched in and out fans, the in is 225M3/Hr and the out is 680M3/Hr that out fan is huge for the space im using with a single 600Watter so then when the thermostat kicks in the balance of in and out flowing air isnt way out of kilter.
the new unit will also have 3 switches, one fused switching unit each for both fans, placed before the thermostat to allow the use of either fan alone, and a fan isolator switch to turn the whole unit on and off . The reason im using the fused switches is to allow me to use iec fittings to plug the fans in so they dont have to be hardwired, and the iec fittings are smaller than a normal plug, not to mention i can get the nice tidy female sockets to mount in the box now instead of a lead with a female plug on it....
I Just need to find out if im correct in where i think the extra speed controller should go(not the intake one, the one to control the top speed of the exhaust fan!!) and then ill put it ll together and if i get the remote probe thermostat in the meantime then that will go in after all....
I have changed my mind once again on the total enviroment controller, it will indeed control the lighting...but im gonna keep you all in suspense about all the details until i unveil it...
This rocks two projects to build...yippeee, im as happy as a pig in the proverbial......
Well thats it for now.... if anyone knows where the extra speed control(the one to lower the top speed as well) should go-according to the wiring diagram i posted for the single speed contol unit, id really appreciate you posting it up..... my logic tells me it should go on the live line that goes from terminal 3 on the thermostat(my stat) to l1 on the soeedo-the line that actually does the override if you get me.... ill take a pic of my diagram and post it you'll see what i mean...
Anyway for now im one, be lucky every1
right then
Im still waiting for the remote sensor cooling thermostat to use( i thinki ive found one i can use but it willhave to be taken out of its existing housing and im not 100% certain it can be without severing the sensor wire, if any wants to see the one i think i can use google Habistat cool control) so for now im making a new impoved version with the existing thermostat, using twin speedos like you have done(im gutted youve beaten me to it actually lol)....and also another speedo to lower the top speed the the fan runs at when it kicks in to give complete control... I have badly mismatched in and out fans, the in is 225M3/Hr and the out is 680M3/Hr that out fan is huge for the space im using with a single 600Watter so then when the thermostat kicks in the balance of in and out flowing air isnt way out of kilter.
the new unit will also have 3 switches, one fused switching unit each for both fans, placed before the thermostat to allow the use of either fan alone, and a fan isolator switch to turn the whole unit on and off . The reason im using the fused switches is to allow me to use iec fittings to plug the fans in so they dont have to be hardwired, and the iec fittings are smaller than a normal plug, not to mention i can get the nice tidy female sockets to mount in the box now instead of a lead with a female plug on it....
I Just need to find out if im correct in where i think the extra speed controller should go(not the intake one, the one to control the top speed of the exhaust fan!!) and then ill put it ll together and if i get the remote probe thermostat in the meantime then that will go in after all....
I have changed my mind once again on the total enviroment controller, it will indeed control the lighting...but im gonna keep you all in suspense about all the details until i unveil it...
This rocks two projects to build...yippeee, im as happy as a pig in the proverbial......
Well thats it for now.... if anyone knows where the extra speed control(the one to lower the top speed as well) should go-according to the wiring diagram i posted for the single speed contol unit, id really appreciate you posting it up..... my logic tells me it should go on the live line that goes from terminal 3 on the thermostat(my stat) to l1 on the soeedo-the line that actually does the override if you get me.... ill take a pic of my diagram and post it you'll see what i mean...
Anyway for now im one, be lucky every1
T5GrowerNow
Member
Most excellent. Can any fan be controlled with a controller. Will it hurt the motor if you vary the speed. I have bathroom exhaust fans I would love to slow down and control on a thermostat. But before I embark on your excellent project, just wondered if I will be getting into trouble messing with a standard, cheap bathroom exhaust fan. Thanks Looking forward to the complete control unit. I sure could use help with humidity control. THanks again.
I have to be honest with you and say i dont know mate..... if theyre cheap enough i say try it-if it blows up its not too expensive explosion lol... I do remember someone at uk420 asking the same thing...maybe someone there found out theres a couple of threads like this in their diy section.
If not then theres no reason why you couldnt use the simple thermost unit for on/off control with the temp instead of running slow and kicking in fast maybe have 1 fan running constantly and a second one to switch on if required.........
Im feeling smug because i just added a night time socket to my lighting relay...so now when my lights go off, the tank heater and any warming mats or heaters come on automatically-and no possibility of them running in the lit period and overheating-this will be another feature on the total controller.............
If not then theres no reason why you couldnt use the simple thermost unit for on/off control with the temp instead of running slow and kicking in fast maybe have 1 fan running constantly and a second one to switch on if required.........
Im feeling smug because i just added a night time socket to my lighting relay...so now when my lights go off, the tank heater and any warming mats or heaters come on automatically-and no possibility of them running in the lit period and overheating-this will be another feature on the total controller.............
T5GrowerNow
Member
Thanks for your project. Your right, those motors are about $15 USD so would hurt to experiment. But I could just try the thermostat first. My thought was it would cycle too quickly. But simple is better and I should try that first.
On your controller project, what are you using to measure the realtive humidity? I am trying to find a reliable hygometer relay but the ones I am finding are for cigar closets and are very expensive. I dont need digital, I just need reliable. Do you home brew that and what are you using??
I love DYI projects and appreciate your stuff. Thanks and good luck.
On your controller project, what are you using to measure the realtive humidity? I am trying to find a reliable hygometer relay but the ones I am finding are for cigar closets and are very expensive. I dont need digital, I just need reliable. Do you home brew that and what are you using??
I love DYI projects and appreciate your stuff. Thanks and good luck.
i want to hook one of these up to a window mount airconditioner.. anyone know how to make one or anyone know of any already made that have 2 temp settings?? i want to set it for 90 degree for 12 hrs and 65 for the other 12... instead of buying 2 window mount ac and having each hooked to a thermostat and a timer i would like to have 1 thermostat that has 2 presets with like a built in timer????
G
Guest
I know a Sentinel UTC1 Universal Temperature Controller will that for ya and doubt you'll find something less expensive. There's one on eBay now with a Buy It Now price of $165 so you should be able to find it somewhere else for close. That price ain't bad for what it does. There is an admitted problem with the units as the manufacturer put in a breaker that pops waaaaaay prematurely. There is a simple fix for it using a relay. My buddy was having a problem and the unit was replaced but still problems so he talked to the store and found out what was going on. The third unit he got had the 'fix' already installed.mysticls said:
I think something like the Sentinel is your best option. It uses a light sensor for the lights on and off settings. Works great.
G
Guest
My f.u.c.k.ing pleasure
. One thing I want to add is the temp reading seemed to be 2 F higher than my other 2 thermostats I use (Johnson Controls A419). The 419's were matched in readings and also I'd be more apt to accept their display than the Sentinels. Soooo if you get one make sure you have an accurate thermometer to double check things. Another thing is the sensor itself seems a little slow to react to temp swings. The 419's are much faster. Problem there is if your room is engineered where you have fast swings you'll actually swing a degree or two higher before the sensor reacts. The sensor is housed inside a little plastic case on the cable and there's slits in it so it's not directly exposed. The 419's are small and metal cased and exposed. Another thing is there's a little green LED inside the case of the Sentinel. Can't remember if it's always on but think so. I mainly use it to control the off temps and since there's no air flow at that time the slower reacting sensor is fine. I use the lights on setting as a temp override in the room so if temps go above 85 it goes on. The 419's control the intake/exhaust fans and I've got it engineered right so temps never go over 82 and that's only at the beginning and end of the cycle during the Summer so the AC lights on setting is basically a safety net.
G
Guest
I figured you were running CO2 with those temps you posted before. I gotz an open system and the 419's are the workhorse for my fans.
I think a Sentinel is great for a closed system like you have. My only gripe is the slower response, it seems that way anyway after some observations, which may pop up for you lights on but that depends on how effective your hood cooling system.
I think a Sentinel is great for a closed system like you have. My only gripe is the slower response, it seems that way anyway after some observations, which may pop up for you lights on but that depends on how effective your hood cooling system.
G
Guest
No...not dual temp. It's a SPDT which means it has two circuits which flip-flop on/off so one circuit is always active. I usually use only one circuit for cooling. They're only about $70 shipped and are industrial grade with programmable parameters. I haven't found anything close to that $ wise as reliable. I mean line voltage and 15 amp capability. They keep my rooms within 2 degrees of where I want em.
Hypothetically you could use 2 on a DPDT timer, a buddy says they make em but I've been looking and haven't found any, but the cost would be equal to if not more than the Sentinel. You could use 2 419's on a relay setup. I've never wired a relay but need to pop my cherry on that one. Don't think it'll be difficult though. I'm sure MUCH cheaper than a DPDT timer.
I've seen Northernfarmer's pics and it's a sweet setup. I've never done a stadium. I understand what you got going better now. I haven't messed with a closed room yet but lot's of research. I'm sure the temp swing thing is workable as lot's of people do it. Only problem I see is having the AC cycle too often with not enough rest. I dunno...I'd almost be more inclined to use 2 AC's with a primary and secondary. A small one always on with the lights and a secondary to keeps things under control. I'm sure it doesn't need to be that complicated but no experience in this arena.
You can program the Sentinel for a wider temp differential. I can't remember if the minimum is 1 or 2 degrees. I know the 419's go down to 1 degree and that's how mine are set.
I got a 1% accurate laser too but think under a certain temp they can be off as much as 2 degrees??? I haven't played with mine in months. Those are for surface temps anyway.
This thread is probably starting to get off track.
Hypothetically you could use 2 on a DPDT timer, a buddy says they make em but I've been looking and haven't found any, but the cost would be equal to if not more than the Sentinel. You could use 2 419's on a relay setup. I've never wired a relay but need to pop my cherry on that one. Don't think it'll be difficult though. I'm sure MUCH cheaper than a DPDT timer.
I've seen Northernfarmer's pics and it's a sweet setup. I've never done a stadium. I understand what you got going better now. I haven't messed with a closed room yet but lot's of research. I'm sure the temp swing thing is workable as lot's of people do it. Only problem I see is having the AC cycle too often with not enough rest. I dunno...I'd almost be more inclined to use 2 AC's with a primary and secondary. A small one always on with the lights and a secondary to keeps things under control. I'm sure it doesn't need to be that complicated but no experience in this arena.
You can program the Sentinel for a wider temp differential. I can't remember if the minimum is 1 or 2 degrees. I know the 419's go down to 1 degree and that's how mine are set.
I got a 1% accurate laser too but think under a certain temp they can be off as much as 2 degrees??? I haven't played with mine in months. Those are for surface temps anyway.
This thread is probably starting to get off track.
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a programable version of a room thermostat would lso work if you make sure it can work on cooling fuctions....like for example the honeywell CM901..... this will let you se day and night temps differently. thats the best thing about these threafds...you can take the basic idea away and modifying for your own needs, and how complicated you want it to be....
T5growernow I use a digital min/max thermo/hygrometer made by eti, i dont actually have any specific humidity controls operating the ventilation...but i am considering buy a dehumidifer and humidifier-im getting right into trying to tweak to perfection lol so when i do ill; put something on to operate that.... lucky reptile make a nice huidity controller for terariums which would work......
T5growernow I use a digital min/max thermo/hygrometer made by eti, i dont actually have any specific humidity controls operating the ventilation...but i am considering buy a dehumidifer and humidifier-im getting right into trying to tweak to perfection lol so when i do ill; put something on to operate that.... lucky reptile make a nice huidity controller for terariums which would work......
T5GrowerNow
Member
Found it. Thanks. I think that will do the trick. 70 Euros, does that sound right? But that would handle 1000 watts, has day and night setting and can humidify or dehumidify so it fits the bill. Thanks again.
