Fan speed controller questions

[phattybudz]

ok so 3 questions,

1) if I run my 450 cfm fan at medium on a speed controller will it run at 225?

2) if I'm running my fan on low, does it suck less electricity or the same amount?

3) right now I'm only running my fan when the lights are on, that's ok right?

 

[DIGITALHIPPY]

1) probably somthing around that.
2)yes it uses less, but not much, fans dont use alot. maybe 100 watts. so its ay lets say 75 wats...
3) thats great! unless thats your only exhaust and you have high humidity at night.

 

[British_Bulldog]

phatty, a variable solid state speed controller will vary the speed, and also the electricity consumption, directly proportionally I believe.

At night, you want to turn the fan down to low, to keep the air flow going for plant health and against bugs/disease, and also as DH says, to keep on top of the humidity - high humidity at night in late flowering will cause mold, and you will lose your crop.


Peace

 

[petemoss]

ok so 3 questions,

1).....
2) .....

3) right now I'm only running my fan when the lights are on, that's ok right?

When the plants start to smell, you'll want to run your fan 24/7 to maintain
a slight vacuum (negative pressure). Otherwise, the smell will come out.

Speed controllers work fine with shaded pole motors. The only drawback is that they sometimes cause a hum.

 

[Whatever]

For sure odor control can be an issue with no fans on at night and must be addressed if a concern. Very few can grow without the worry of odor control. Other than that there is no need for ventilation at night. Humidity can easily be controlled with a dehumidifier and temps with an AC or heater.

I was fortunate in one setup the dynamics were such that odor really didn't escape when I had the vent fans off but probably a pretty rare scenario.

 

[Pharma Geddon]

There was an odour build up when I had my fan only running during lights on. Now I've got it running on a much lower voltage during lights out but still some build up. Will be going back to 24/7 in a few days.

 

[phattybudz]

Hmmm... well the RH shouldn't be a factor, because it hasn't gone above 55% the whole time, it's usually around 50...that's good right?

As far as the odor goes, I can't smell it in my room when the fan is off, but I've still got a few weeks to go so maybe that will change.

For setting the fan low at night-- Is there some way to have the speed controller change on a timer? (An inexpensive option--I've broken the bank already haha..)?

Thanks!!

 

[Harry Gypsna]

If you were using cheap potentiometer/dimmer type speed controllers, you could get a lirelay to fit in the box with 2 speed ocntrollers, and a timer mounted on the box selecting which speed controller...so when the timer says on-speedo a) is in control and when the timer says off the relay flips and speedo b) takes over.
If you used a transformer based controller like a 5 step they just hav e5 output setttings so you would have the timer wired up to be at one setting when the timer says on and another setting when it says off.

 

[Guest]

I just have my fan come on an hour before lights on & go off an hour or 2 after lights off....works fine for me.

 

[phattybudz]

"I just have my fan come on an hour before lights on & go off an hour or 2 after lights off....works fine for me."

Yeah, this is a good idea for a temp. solution I think, thanks...

I want to get a controller (I don't think I feel competent enough to build one,) but I don't have the cash right now..