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Fan Speed control help?

G

Guest

Just got my new fan and forgot to buy a speed control. Do you think a dimmer switch will work save. I've heard of some people use them, then i've heard some people say not to. I was thinking there might be a heavy duty switch i might be able to buy at lowes. Would like to hear some input from others. I don't know anything about loads or anything like that, I can follow direction on wiring, but don't know any standards.
Thanks
 
Hippo

Hippo

Member
yes u can use a dimmer, although not just any and it depends how big your fan is, usually only quite small fans
U can use a thermostat too although it has to kick in at the higher temp rather than knocking off like a standard thermostat.
goodluck
 
G

Guest

I got a Vortex 6" 449 CFM 120 Volts AC 60 HZ 100watt. I went to lowes and got the biggest fan control they had. 5 amps max and i think it handles 600 watts, so i think i'm fine. It's running fine and there isn't any problems, not hot or anything. Think i'll be fine?
Thanks everyone
 
G

Guest

Why? This is a speed control for a large house fan. It's a 5 amp, so why shouldn't i use it? Just wondering why it's not good to use?
 
N

NCgrower

New member
There is a big difference between a speed control and a dimmer switch. Just make sure what ever you use it is made for your type of motor and can handle the current. I use a nimbus temp controled speed controler on a dayton shaded pole motor it works great
 
G

Guest

Just got an e-mail from my sales person at Discount Hydro, Going to get a speed control tomorrow from them 30 bucks. Man, i can't believe i forgot that when i order my fan. Oh well, they will 2 day it for me. Thanks, NC. I unplugged the fan to be safe, it can wait for a couple of day. Read the FAQ over at OG, man that's some crazy stuff. Talking about burning your house to the ground. It's worth me waiting a couple of days.
Thanks again.

I'll post a link for anyone else that find this thread, so they don't make the wrong choice.
Thanks

Check this out

http://www.overgrow.com/growfaq/1540
 
G

Guest

Thanks for the info, I got one of Vortex's new speed control on the way. It's a killer little thing, it plug into a wall outlet and you just plug the fan plug into it and adjust the dial, no wiring. They order only a half dozen and was told i'm getting one. Should be here in two weeks at the most.
Thanks
 
G

Guest

Thanks for all the help everyone. Got my new speed control today and it works like a camp.
Take a look
showphoto.php
 
D

dutchdescendant

New member
Just alittle info for you guys.
This issue caused me much tossing and turning, untill I dug up alittle info!!

The fantec/elicent brand inline fans, and dayton blowers are both what are called "shaded pole" or "solid state" motors and require a solid state regulator to work SAFELY. These are slightly more expencive than standard dimmers!(around $20) W/O one the motor and the dimmer could overheat- wich could mean disaster!!!!:eek:

Peace, DD :D:D
 
G

growit1234

that vortex speed control is exactly what i need.

anyone know where I can purchase one?
 
G

Guest

dutchdescendant said:
Just alittle info for you guys.
This issue caused me much tossing and turning, untill I dug up alittle info!!

The fantec/elicent brand inline fans, and dayton blowers are both what are called "shaded pole" or "solid state" motors and require a solid state regulator to work SAFELY. These are slightly more expencive than standard dimmers!(around $20) W/O one the motor and the dimmer could overheat- wich could mean disaster!!!!:eek:

Peace, DD :D:D
Click to expand...

Do you mean a fantec has to be run with one of those regulators even if it isn't hooked up to a controller or dimmer, or anything... just plain fan wired to a plug... is that safe?

I have a fantech 122 CFM 4" inline (Model: FR 100). I've been running it for a couple months without any kind of controller - I need all the air I can get. It hasn't burned up, but am I taking any kind of risk?
 
Oger's Revenge

Oger's Revenge

New member
Wood working router speed controllers will work very well also if I recall correctly, might be cheaper then a purpose built fan controller also, although $30.00 sounds resonable.

Hope this helps

Cheers
-Oger-
 
G

Guest

Helloooo??? can anyone please tell me if my house is gonna burn down or not? I'd be grateful. :yoinks:
 
Oger's Revenge

Oger's Revenge

New member
If your fan is safely wired for either on or off operation without any speed control then no, you won't burn your house down.

Here is the OG faq entry on this topic...

GrowFAQ :Fan controler for under $30
Added by: Bud-Monkey
Last edited by: Bud-Monkey
Viewed: 523 times
Rated by 5 users: 10.00/10
Contributed by: Moshmont
Submitted: june24 2004

A little bit of info on what can control shaded pole and other general types of AC motors:

Potentiometer NO
Dimmer NO
Rheostat NO
Solid-State Speed/Power Controler YES
Variable Hertz/Frequency Drive YES

Potentiometers, Dimmers and Rheostats can not be used to control the speed of an AC motor. They all use forms of voltage resistance.
From first hand experience I know that even low draw Hz drives can cost well over $100 (I have seen them as high as $500 at a 1 Hp rating). Hz drives are a waste unless you need to precisely control the speed/pulse of something beyond/below the input frequency (or a capacitor run/start motor). The next best thing is a solid-state adjustment device.


$10-$15 Solid-State Controler (I.e. “fan controller”)
$1.50 #16 (or bigger) extension type cord, with ground (2 feet)
¢80 3/8” cable connectors (x2)
$5 1 male & 1 female standard rubber 3-prong electrical plug
$3 Deep set 2”x3” electrical box

All of this can be bought at an home improvement store for around the same price (such as Home Depot or Lowes).

Note: you need to have some basic wiring skills to do this.


The first thing you need to do is confirm your not buying a Rheostat or Dimmer. Look at the price and what\'s printed on it (fan controls are more expensive). You need to make sure it says it can control “attic” and/or “whole house” fans. I chose the 100% controllable one, they also make them with a Low/Med/High setting. The next part isn’t much harder, basically all you do is strip your cable & wires and put on your plugs. In this case I already (knowingly) left some on the M/F ends from a previous project. Strip your cable and wires at the other end, then using the supplied wire nuts connect all commons (white wire) together. Connect one hot (black wire) to ether hot lead (black wire coming out of device). Now for the ground/s (green wire) use an extra wire nut. Or you can strip about 2” off all of them and twist them together nice and tight (if you don\'t have a wire nut). Next push the fan controller into the box, before doing so tuck the cluster of grounds under the other wires. There should also be 2 supplied machine screws that you will use to attach the mounting plate to the box.

That’s all there is too it, it can be used just like a regular fan (only now you can adjust the CFM’sspeed).


Notes: Don’t load it to max capacity. In this case using the 5 amp model don’t use it to control a fan/motor the uses more than 4 - 4.5 amps. These CAN NOT control capacitor start or run motors (you would need a Hz drive for that.). When used, the motor will get warm/warm-hot as if it where running regularly, this is normal. Another thing I would do is let the motor run for at least 3 hours (check on it from time to time) on the lowest setting just to make sure it won’t over heat.

Last modified: 03:21 - Jun 29, 2004
Click to expand...

Sorry it has no pics...
Hope this helps

Cheers
-Oger-
 
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