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dongle69
(2) 6" Vortex and (1) 14" Max fan.
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speed controlling a vortex?
- Thread starter MrMortakis$moot
- Start date
(2) 6" Vortex and (1) 14" Max fan.
Deja, you could hook two variacs, one at each speed, to a relay hooked on a timer.
im not sure if there is something else out there that will do that, i know there are separate relays that work with timers, just connect that to two variacs and your set. its more expensive but thats what you sacrifice to have absolute control!
im not sure if there is something else out there that will do that, i know there are separate relays that work with timers, just connect that to two variacs and your set. its more expensive but thats what you sacrifice to have absolute control!
petemoss
Active member
Deja,
You could use this speed control: http://www.rewci.com/wc15h.html
It's a regular Fantech speed control with a "high speed bypass", which allows you to
bypass the speed control and run your fan at full speed. That site seems to have very good prices on speed controls.
To use your variac in the same way, I think you'd need a relay.
You could use this speed control: http://www.rewci.com/wc15h.html
It's a regular Fantech speed control with a "high speed bypass", which allows you to
bypass the speed control and run your fan at full speed. That site seems to have very good prices on speed controls.
To use your variac in the same way, I think you'd need a relay.
Maxsuzuki500
New member
The best value I have found for speed controlers that work for in-line fans came from harbor freight. It is yellow and was meant for a router but i have been running my 6inch vortex on it for 4 or so years with no problems. Now, if only I could say the same for my digi ballasts.
P
pimpjuice
DeJa;2158242 are there any controllers I can get that will reduce speeds at specific times [on a timer said:
http://www.phason.ca/
slows down and speeds up depending on temperature. You can set an idle speed.
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pimpjuice
yep those things are the shit. Does the same thing as the phason controler. I recently setup another spot with the one you linked to, and I've been using a phason for almost 2 years. Perfect device for my area.
For what its worth, I have a new (<6 months old) Vortex 6" High Output wired into a Staco Variac. The Variac is wired so that there is a separate outlet/switch to power the fan.
I have cold started the fan at % as low as 20% without any hum/vibration or ill effects to the fan.
As to a Variac reducing the life of the fan, Atmosphere guarantees the fan for 10 years, so... not my problem.
The Can Filter lists a minimum effective CFM; using a Sper Scientific anemometer, the Variac can be turned down to 68% before the voltage falls below that minimum acceptable CFM.
I have cold started the fan at % as low as 20% without any hum/vibration or ill effects to the fan.
As to a Variac reducing the life of the fan, Atmosphere guarantees the fan for 10 years, so... not my problem.
The Can Filter lists a minimum effective CFM; using a Sper Scientific anemometer, the Variac can be turned down to 68% before the voltage falls below that minimum acceptable CFM.
stink.whistler
Member
As a side note, I've noticed that building supply companies have a greater selection of fans, at lower prices than the grow shops. I'd say it is better to buy the proper CFM fan in the first place. And you might be able to buy that correct fan for not too much more than a variac power supply.
Google 'Fantech FX' and be amazed at the variety of CFM available (not to mention the low prices).
My (limited) understanding of fans is that the number of windings on the motor is what controls the speed, so if a fan only comes with one speed from the factory, your best bet is to run it at that speed. That said, many folks seem to have good luck with controlling their speed from the devices mentioned in this thread, I just like to run everything electrical according to factory specs, personally.
House fires are expensive.
Google 'Fantech FX' and be amazed at the variety of CFM available (not to mention the low prices).
My (limited) understanding of fans is that the number of windings on the motor is what controls the speed, so if a fan only comes with one speed from the factory, your best bet is to run it at that speed. That said, many folks seem to have good luck with controlling their speed from the devices mentioned in this thread, I just like to run everything electrical according to factory specs, personally.
House fires are expensive.
M
MRJackHerrer
hmmm stinkwhistler lemme get this right. you are recommending using crappy bathroom fans that require wiring over proper fans that are designed expressly for the purpose of indoor horticulture? Just checkin.
if using a controller on these fans was indeed "causing expensive house fires" don't you think that it would be all over these forums? as we are trying to achieve control over our indoor enviroments we must slow or speed up our fans to maintain optimum conditions.
these types of alarmist comments about fire should not be made unless one really knows what they are talking about. using the proper controllers you can speed up or slow down inline fans without having any problems whatsoever with fire.
if using a controller on these fans was indeed "causing expensive house fires" don't you think that it would be all over these forums? as we are trying to achieve control over our indoor enviroments we must slow or speed up our fans to maintain optimum conditions.
these types of alarmist comments about fire should not be made unless one really knows what they are talking about. using the proper controllers you can speed up or slow down inline fans without having any problems whatsoever with fire.
stink.whistler
Member
Hey Jack,
No - I am not recommending crappy bathroom fans, I am recommending quality inline centrifugal fans marketed at a larger audience than horticulture fans, with the result being that they have a lower price. There are few things simpler to wire than a fan, and many of the horticulture fans require you to wire them as well.
And yes, I am suggesting to buy a fan with the proper CFM to start with instead of jacking around w/ expensive power regulators that are close to the price of a new fan, or jacking around with non expensive dimmer switches that are dangerous.
So no, you didn't get much right in your response.
No - I am not recommending crappy bathroom fans, I am recommending quality inline centrifugal fans marketed at a larger audience than horticulture fans, with the result being that they have a lower price. There are few things simpler to wire than a fan, and many of the horticulture fans require you to wire them as well.
And yes, I am suggesting to buy a fan with the proper CFM to start with instead of jacking around w/ expensive power regulators that are close to the price of a new fan, or jacking around with non expensive dimmer switches that are dangerous.
So no, you didn't get much right in your response.
K
KMK0420
Correct.
MRJ is talking out of his ass.
Following the recommended CFM on fans/carbon filters is best idea. If it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, then maybe get some type of speed controller. Vortex and the likes are just popular because they are commonly used devices in growing pot. You CAN use other types of fans, with same amount of success.
MrMortakis$moot
Member
the 10yr warranty on the vortex is also very attractive!
most of the "other" fans I've looked at are 2-5yr(at most). I ended up buying a "speedster" before reading completely through this thread, I'll try it out and hopefully it helps on these cold nights.. but warmer weather should be right around the corner!There are many ways to make what you want happen.
Recently, a friend showed me a new controller that has two thermostats built in, along with a photo-sensor. The idea is, you set one temperature, say 85 degrees, for when the lights are on, and another, say 70 degrees, for when the lights are off. The photo-sensor tells the controller whether the lights are on or off.
Taking the lights-on setting of 85: when the temperature exceeds 85, the fan is told to go to full speed. After the temperature drops to about 83, the fan is told to go to idle speed. When the temperature rises to 85, the fan cycles to high again.
When the lights are off, the same thing happens, but the reference temperature is 75 degrees.
This device is ideal for controlling one exhaust fan. Here's a link:
http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/itemdesc.asp?ic=AACGZTEMP1V&eq=&Tp=
It is called a Tempstat - Temp 1V, and costs $145. It has a remote sensor bulb for the temperature, but needs to be mounted where the photo-sensor is exposed to the lights.
Rated to 750 watts (that's a big fan!), it may induce a little hum a idle speed, I don't know. I listened to it a little, in operation, and the fan-hum was not bad at all.
Recently, a friend showed me a new controller that has two thermostats built in, along with a photo-sensor. The idea is, you set one temperature, say 85 degrees, for when the lights are on, and another, say 70 degrees, for when the lights are off. The photo-sensor tells the controller whether the lights are on or off.
Taking the lights-on setting of 85: when the temperature exceeds 85, the fan is told to go to full speed. After the temperature drops to about 83, the fan is told to go to idle speed. When the temperature rises to 85, the fan cycles to high again.
When the lights are off, the same thing happens, but the reference temperature is 75 degrees.
This device is ideal for controlling one exhaust fan. Here's a link:
http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/itemdesc.asp?ic=AACGZTEMP1V&eq=&Tp=
It is called a Tempstat - Temp 1V, and costs $145. It has a remote sensor bulb for the temperature, but needs to be mounted where the photo-sensor is exposed to the lights.
Rated to 750 watts (that's a big fan!), it may induce a little hum a idle speed, I don't know. I listened to it a little, in operation, and the fan-hum was not bad at all.
thirdeye
Member
Good thread. Here is what I know. I just got the device BeeBee mentioned on ebay from nehydro for 109.95. I set the daytime temp to 75 degrees and it has kept it spot on. After the fan cycles on it will keep slowing down until it turns off completely. This may not be good for a stinky grow (and I'm wondering if it wears down the Vortex quicker by cycling). Once the lights have been on for awhile, the fan tends to stay on all the time. Of course, that's just my environment. You could set the temp lower to force the fan to be on all the time if needed.
I've been setting the night temp to appr. 68, and after the lights go out and the temp drops, the fan will stay off completely in my cool basement. I guess that's OK? Would the flowering plants benefit from fresh air with the fan staying on all night, or does that only apply to lights on? Any info would be appreciated.
If this doesn't work like I want I will try the one that MRJackHerrer mentioned. That one sounds like it would be better if you wanted an exhaust fan on all the time.
I've been setting the night temp to appr. 68, and after the lights go out and the temp drops, the fan will stay off completely in my cool basement. I guess that's OK? Would the flowering plants benefit from fresh air with the fan staying on all night, or does that only apply to lights on? Any info would be appreciated.
If this doesn't work like I want I will try the one that MRJackHerrer mentioned. That one sounds like it would be better if you wanted an exhaust fan on all the time.
MrMortakis$moot
Member
well, I got the speedster in & it is working with no problems. The dial is a little sensitive, but the fan is running at lower speeds then intended and running fine at that! so, the vortex & speedster do work together!
petemoss
Active member
It seems I was wrong about the Speedster not working with centrifugal fans. Hope I didn't mislead anyone! I'll have to dig up my Speedsters and try again with some fans. I emailed Control Wizard, the maker of the Speedster and they confirmed that it would work:
Thank you for your e-mail.
The Speedster will work on the Vortex and Elicent and The Dayton Squirrel cage blower. The hurricane and S&P are unfamiliar products.
CWP Customer Service.
Thank you for your e-mail.
The Speedster will work on the Vortex and Elicent and The Dayton Squirrel cage blower. The hurricane and S&P are unfamiliar products.
CWP Customer Service.
Regarding your Speedster speed control:
Will this Speedster work on a centrifugal fan such as Vortex, Elicent, Hurricane?
...snip...Will this Speedster work on a centrifugal fan such as Vortex, Elicent, Hurricane?
... whether my centifugal fans
are brush type motors. Some say "shaded pole motor", whatever that is.
Thank you for your help.
are brush type motors. Some say "shaded pole motor", whatever that is.
Thank you for your help.
MrMortakis$moot
Member
just another note I forgot to add earlier; I did try it starting at a reduced speed and it did start, I couldnt hear a buzz or hum from the fan and didnt feel anything unusual from touching the casing BUT lights were on in the room and the ballast was buzzing. so I can confirm that it does start at a reduced speed, wether or not it has any negative effects on the fan I cannot say.
Northern_Greens
Member
What about rehostat's?
my vortex sounds like a wind tunnel and my local grow shop owner suggested their rehostat.
Didnt really understand how it worked or what it was so I didnt get it. But would it work? It would make life alot easier seeing as getting a speedster or variac would involve getting it online and not a nice descret trip to the hydro shop.
N_G
my vortex sounds like a wind tunnel and my local grow shop owner suggested their rehostat.
Didnt really understand how it worked or what it was so I didnt get it. But would it work? It would make life alot easier seeing as getting a speedster or variac would involve getting it online and not a nice descret trip to the hydro shop.
N_G
