speed controlling a vortex?

[BeeBee]

The Vortex controller is a triac-based controller. They work fine. Sometimes they cause the fan motor to hum a bit when the speed is lowered a lot, but I've never found triac controllers to cause a hum so loud it was a problem.
By the way, please notice that the controller has a "fine adjust" for the low-speed on the face. Most triac controllers do. It's a good idea to use a small screwdriver and adjust it to suit your fan, before you put the cover plate and knob on.
thirdeye--I didn't realize that the exhaust would turn off all the way. That's really not a problem when the lights are off, unless a couple of problems occur, such as:
1. odor leaks out of the area, and you don't want it to.
2. humidity builds up so much that it is a problem.

Number 1 is fairly likely, but could be mild or inconsequential. Number 2 depends on the type of grow you have, the weather, the space you are in, etc., but will most probably not cause any problems.
Cycling centrifugal fans does not wear them out.

 

[thirdeye]

Thanks for the info BeeBee. If humidity builds up too much, I can set the night temp lower to force the fan to cycle on during lights off. My basement has been getting to appr. 66F, so if I set the night temp to about 65-66, I'm hoping the fan will cycle on occasionally. Still testing it out.

 

[petemoss]

Well I just had to try a variac with my new S&P fan. This monster weighs more than the fan but it is SMOOTH! Nice wide range of speeds, unlike my Fantech triac based control.

 

[pontiac]

got my Variac too pete... simply no alternative.

to everyone, please end this discussion and just spend the extra $$ for a Variac. it'll be one of your best investments for your grow. trust me.

 

[stretchpup]

Why end the conversation.... discussion is good.

For whatever it's worth I use the router speed controllers on Two 4" Vortex, and an 8" Vortex. No hum, no problems, half the price they charge for the same in a grow shop/store.

Although I'm interested in the Variac, it looks pretty clumsy and obnoxious. No thanks.

 

[petemoss]

I looked at some variacs several years ago, but the cheapest I could find was about $250.
This one cost only $50 and works beautifully. My Fantech speed control worked well with very slight hum and I think most people would be satisfied with an inexpensive triac control. But if you want to slow down your fan the right way, with no hum, these variacs are the nuts!

 

[pontiac]

Well notice here the sharp and abrupt "starts and stops" a triac controller creates in order to reduce the magnitude.

That's not good for the motor. It's like turning a light bulb on and off really fast; eventually, that bulb will burn out.

On the other hand, a Variac just alters amplitude:

Honestly, I rather spend $20-$30 extra for a Variac now, than spend $100-$200 for a new fan later (and possibly, bear a greater cost because of its failure).

 

[GoldenCloud]

Hmm, I have the speedster and no hum. I've been using it for about a year on a 6" vortex. I have the fan hanging from bungees and the speedster is set on the slot between the medium and high setting.

 

[BeeBee]

While it may seem logical that the sawtooth wave is harmful to the motor, is there any evidence that it does?
I've had fans in operation for 6 years using triac controllers, and no failures.
Variac controllers use a little more electricity than triac controllers--but a very small amount compared to nine 600 watt lights!

 

[KnightRueben]

I have a S&P TD-100x. I just purchased the router speed control at harbor freight locally, and I'm disappointed. I wired the fan at hi and got a hum even operating at full power, and toning it down made it much worse. The control did not function when wired to low.

I just ordered the suggested veriac.

 

[petemoss]

Before anyone orders a variac, please read this thread:
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=117969
Seems variacs are not the proper means to slow down a fan and may even be dangerous. The correct device to safely lower the voltage to your fan is a variable frequency drive. Unfortunately, such drives cost thousands of dollars! A solid state speed control is the most affordable alternative. I've used the KB triac-based speed control for years to slow down my centrifugal fans with little or no hum. They are available on line for $15 to $30.

 

[moses224]

http://webtronics.stores.yahoo.net/ensavat.html

great unit

 

[Mr_Micro]

Thanks a lot for that link petemoss!

After reading the first few pages of this thread I was going to go ahead and order a Variac controller to go with my S&P TD-100 I recently purchased for an upcoming grow. But now that I've seen what happened with Pontiac's I think I'll test my luck with the Speedster instead!

It may hum or it may not hum, but at least I know I won't get fried to a crackly crisp.
S thanks again for that link pete, you may have just saved my life

 

[KillerDemo]

a variable speed controller can only reduce the "hum" so much...i tuck a bunch of thick clothes on top of mine...not the best but brings a couple decibles

 

[pontiac]

As pete said, the best way to control induction motors is with a VFD, but they're very, very expensive.

Variacs do work in most cases and don't cause a hum like the speedster, but weather they're safe for AC motors is debated. I honestly think they are safe. In fact, many fellow growers have been using them for many years without a single problem. I believe my shocking incident is most likely an isolated one; probably from a manufacturing defect at the chinese factory. I'd like to get a high-quality US made Variac, but those are way out of my budget.

Triac controllers (speedster) may create electrical noise (humming), ultimately defeating the purpose of getting one in the first place.

So what the hell will I use? Although I'm skeptical, I'll try out the speedster or its "$14 harbor freight router control" counterpart and see how that works out. If that doesn't work out, I'm just gonna have to live with the loud noise, or get a smaller fan.

 

[moses224]

Yea my variac controls my 8" and it has settings for optimum use....I alway buy larger fan then needed then set to half speed that where a couple variacs are worth the investment....that way you can monitor volts.

 

[petemoss]

I still have my doubts about the Speedster. Seems most people report humming problems with centrifugal fans such as a Vortex. The triac-based speed controls made by KB electronics is a better choice IMO. These are the "solid state speed controls" recommended by Fantech and Elicent.
http://www.kbelectronics.com/ads2.htm
They have a plug and play model called the Dial-A-Temp that requires no wiring; just plug in your fan.

 

[moses224]

I have three one variac to a simple dimmer and all are plug and play....I wouldn't suggest anyone be wiring anything as theres so many options that you can buy w.o wiring required.

 

[growshopfrank]

I NEED A CONTROLLER THAN CAN RUN MY FAN 24/7


12 HOURS ON 80-100%

12 HOURS ON 40%



HELP!!

I built a controller that will do just what you want. I used a DPDT relay, triggered by my light timer, with a speed controller on each side of the relay wired into the fan. Allows for a day and a night fan speed, worked awesome with an elicent fan.

 

[DeJa]

NEED ADVICE ON DARK ROOM & VARIAC

NEED ADVICE ON DARK ROOM & VARIAC

ive got a 5'x5' dark room. 150 cubic feet

gonna put about 1200watts at least

im wondering what size fan i should use can33 or 66?

i want to run the fan under capacity at all times with a variac controller

can i use a variac to run the fan at 40% 12 hours and then 70% for 12 hours?