DIY Thermostatic Fan Speed Controller

[Kenny Lingus]

Wow Harry! That last controller you mentioned is excactly what I thought the evo would do, but no...

I see there are many possibilities for making own stuff as there are powerful programmable relays available that are no bigger than a fingernail (just a little thicker of course) These are for card mounting though, but we cold learn how to solder them on and such, can't we (Not very expesive either, so we'll just need to get the diagrams and infrastructure done and build it.)

I use a Swedish site called www.elfa.se for stuff I cannot find in the stores. Just makes it easier for me to understand the terms and such when it's not english, but I'll look up those you recommended.

Allthough I'm happy with the one I just did! (Can run a heater and a fan, at least if I put the heater on some relay.)
-It did actually cost a few hours of plundering and 29euros for thermo + 45euros for speedo, so it ain't very cheap -but sure helps keeping a good environment... (ps my country takes 25% in direct taxes on all but food, so it really ain't bad for others)

 

[Harry Gypsna]

no problem vinny..... Im glad i put this up, id seen how many folks had benefited from em at other sites so i thougt we could do with one here
Kenny, this is the speed controller I am going to use for my new improved DIY
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SILENT-FAN-SP...ryZ43555QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Its a 5 step transformer, the same as an adjustable auto transformer((which are the best speed controllers-even more expensive)) but this just has 5 settings on the control instead of a smooth turn-5 steps.
this is one i really like, but i dont know if it buzzes or not...no speed to set it just does it by itself...
http://www.hydro-hobby.co.uk/erol.html#1444X1508
i think eventually ill have a box full of climate controllers lol, because i know ill end up buying both of these even though the last one isnt for the diy and i know what shopbought one id like...
vvvv This one vvvv
http://www.progrow.co.uk/acatalog/info_3951.html
The secret garden temp controller-I think its the dogs bollocks, and apparently it doesnt make any humming noises.It s also avalable from the manufacturer in a version to control dc fans I will buy this((ac version)) at some point..... It has been fortold lol
This next one is a Variac/autotransformer like I mentioned above
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=6476&doy=31m10
These are the very best thing to use for speed controllers..no noise at all from them and absoloute control.... the 5 step does exactly what it says-5 steps, but this can do all the steps and everything in between for really fne control. The one ive linked is only small and would only safely workk with a 4 or 5 inch fan but you can get them with really huge amp ratings--just not at that shop and not quite as cheap....
Well there you go, hope these spark some inspiration in someone....
Be lucky every1

 

[Kenny Lingus]

I'd take the trade air 3 if I didn't have to pay a heap for ss
-Nice links man!

 

[Harry Gypsna]

No problem kenny.... I really like the trade air, Ive got another DIY n mind for that...wiring it to a junction box with sockets for,inlet fan, exhaust fan, and fan for aircooliing, with a timer switching the arcooling fan on and off wth the lights, and a second timer tunring the th whole ventlation on and off, so you could have it with urin and out fans runng constantly in when the lights r on, and the ac fan, with the trade ar automatcally controllng the temp by speeding all 3 up or slowing down as requred, then the ac goes off with the lights, and the in and out fans go over to a cycle timer runnnig10 minutes on 30 minutes off-still running through the trade ar so at low speed... Ths would be useful for noise sensitve situations and also reduce the amount of cold night ar being brought in if bringing in outsde air while still refreshing the air enough for good conditions.
I know what you mean about not being much cheaper...the DIY im going to build will definately not be cheap...it will probably cost not much less than the better shop bought ones...but you will know it does the job and most shop bought speed controls use the dimmer type not the expensive variac type..... That tax level...sucks to say the least... V.A.T. is 17.5 over here.. amazing how much those few points can ramp up the cost... Im glad you got something together to help with ur climate though.... The new unit im putting together definately wll not be cheap...and will probably cost more to make that it would to buy the evoloution(i can get it over here for between 100-120 pounds)
but it will be a serious bit of kit-useful to the smaller grower who likes to have toys, and also for bigger growers too... Im putting 2 contactors n there, on for heating one for cooling... Aww sod it, im going to show you temperature controller that wll be the brains of the system-i wasnt going to show it before the build but what the hell... B.R.B with the link...
Ok here....
http://www.monitors-direct.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?SubCatagoryID=244&ProductID=1126
I was going to use it as-is to do the switching, but decided to add the contactors to be absoloutely certain i t will carry the loads from a couple of big fans..... Im also thinking getting another of these units to control a heater and a couple of terrarium fans for my reservoir to keep the nutient soloution at perfect levels....it could do a chiller too-thats what its meant for primarily. As i say ths unit could probably be used on its own to give the same type of on/off function as the evoloution, it has a 10 amp relay for heating and 25 amp for cooling. I havent found a nice enclosure big enough to fit everything in yet so i may go the temp unit in one box, and use iec sockets and plugs to plug the speed contoller unit into the temp controller unit with a special bypass lead so both could be used as a stand alone unit but can come together for toal control...... I pinched that concept from the airforce climate controllers, ther speed controller is a varac so no hum...heres a link to the airforce controllers
http://www.growell.co.uk/p/3865/Airforce-Systems-Fan-Speed-Controllers.html which i really love but they are very expensive, and i want to spend my money on the airforce fans not their controllers lol...
Man all these different ideas send me nuts, so many different ways i could do it..... And I will still definately get a secret garden one-I cant help it-its a disease lol-growshop addiction is real
Anyway this is really long now low... So im off
Be lucky

 

[mr cheese]

hi ya mate.....iv built exactly the same unit 5 years ago now,lol was one of the 1st to use em over at uk420/ukcultivator,lol

now heres where u might be able to help, i didnt bother using the unit for the last year, now im in 8 light room i need to set it back up.

now heres the prob, iv wired it all back up to how i used to have it, yep kept me diagram,lol

now this is the problem, this unit is supposed to run at set idle speed untill the temps in ur room go higher than the set temps on the thermosat then the fan should kick in at full speed, now like youv mentioned mine/yours kicks in at full speed when the temps go lower then in the grow room?

thats not right is it,lol its supposed to kick in at full speed when temps get to high not to low, lol that will just make thing even cooler.

any ideas as to how we can get them to run properly? im dam sure mine used to kick in at higher temps when i first used it with my vertical cage!....cheers mate....mrc

 

[Harry Gypsna]

if its a stat that can be used either way you just need to swap the power out from the thermostat from one contact to the other thats not in use.....
UkC...I remember when i 1st saw one of these it there...the fazfan.... and it was "Payday"s thread i followed to make me 1st relay.....

 

[Harry Gypsna]

I just wanted to say the suoer tenp controller plan is shelved for now.... its going to cost as much as buying the secret garden controller so i may as well get that...
however i cant afford that, just yet so there will be a new "Not quite Super but still great" climate controller, based on the trade air three... i just need to suss out the wiring for the timers and relay to be used....
It will use the trade air3, controlling in and out fas on one circuit, and the ac lighting fan on another circuit. In and out circuit will be operated with a timer to run As and when. The AC lighting fan circuit will be controlled by a shunt override cable using a figure 8 connector on the vent cpntroller end, and the other end plugged into a spare socket on my contactor relay, ala airforce climate control systems style.
the trade air just has 1 knob to set them temp, and it automatically speeds up and slows down to keep the temp you set......
This will be done but mid febuary if all goes according to plan.... money is tight at this time of year as im sure ou all know...and i need a new fan n filter 1st...
Anyway keep ur eyes peeled for the not quite super climate controller lol

 

[Harry Gypsna]

Just a quick bumpto let everyone know Ive got all the hardware for the super controller now, just need a couple of bits and poieces such as cable glands and the enclosure for it then ill do it.... Watch for it-its gonna be most excellent and I predict that once ppl see em there will be a whole slew of them appearing on ICmag-no humming at lower speeds like you would get with a triac based controller(this is a 5 step transformer), and it has a heater output to boot......

 

[Guest]

I wish I could find something like the Secret Garden Controller in the US. My main interest is in a controller that has two speeds...one on and the other controlled so there is always air flow but high heat, thermostatically controlled, would kick the fan into full speed mode. I'm sure it'd be pretty easy to build but I'm not a wiring expert.

 

[Harry Gypsna]

Stay tuned for my new one coming as soon as i get the last parts for it... there are some excellent DIY designs by a guy called whazzup at UK420..hes done a few including a diy silent(no hum) speed controller made from parts he took from other stuff....
Could you afford to spring for greenair or CAP stuff, i know that stuffs no problem to get in the states and the greenair gear is supposed to really good.....

 

[Guest]

I'll check out the Greenair and CAP stuff.

 

[Harry Gypsna]

Well...after 14 months of promising, being skint, not knowing what to do, changing my mind and generally delaying....
Ive finally done it....the super climate controller is done...I repeat...the super climate controller is done....
New thread coming TONIGHT

 

[Budweiser13]

cool better late then never..........

 

[Harry Gypsna]

lol delayed again but im doing the thing right now...
Previews.....

 

[Londinium]

Great thread Harry and friends! I've just been skimming all the DIY and custom tech threads on the forum and there's some great stuff on here,Excellent work Fella's! Did you ever get the Total controller for lights,vent ,pumps etc you talked about done? JBo

 

[Harry Gypsna]

Hi Londinium...
I never did the controller to do eveything yet... I have got my new much better version of this to piut up though using a 5 step transformer for non buzzing speed control on my fans with a flyying lead plugged into my temp controller which is an ATc800 aquarium controller heating and cooling just set and ideal temp and set a number for how much want the temp to be allowed to move above or below ur ideal... work great...been testing it for about 10 days now, was going to post it ysterday but the pics had gone lol but thats it the new thing in my last post ^^^^ I got a lot of help...
Im finishing my growroom tonight so will have ot do the thread on the new controller tomorrow probably...
Glad you like the DIy section Londinium- I bet theres a lot of info you can offer and as you can see-we lap it up here lol.....
Be lucky

 

[Londinium]

Looks and souds great Harry,methinks you may get a few people following yor lead there.Looks better than some of the stuff available commercialy,guys like you and you're ilk are the main reason we felt the urge to share some ideas on the web again. Exciting stuff!

 

[potenza]

i dont understand this idea exactly.
there is 1 fan controller and there is also 1 thermostat.
for example,we set the fan controller as '' maxiumum''
also we set the thermostat as '' 27 celcius''

so,if the room's temperature is higher than 27,fan would work full speed .is this true ?
and if the room's temperature is lower than 27,which speed would fan work ?half speed ? or would fan stop ?

and for example again,i want fan to work at half speed when temperature of room is lower than 27.
and i want fan to work at full speed if temperature of room is higher than 27.
is this possible ? how?
(i read all topic and i tried to understand a but my english is not good ,sorry)

 

[wolfcreekcronic]

Nice work man im going to give this a try will let you know how it works out!

 

[Purkle]

Can someone name the temp probe fan controller, I thought it was pharson but Im mistaken. Thank you for your help.