The Dreaded Fan Speed Control Topic ...

[cjk]

I've read all of the arguements and the triac type controllers are not longer an option for me as I have the speedster on a vortex and it's a piece of crap and hums like hell. My only other option is to try a variac. I know the negatives that people have said about them but i've also read a lot of positives on several forums. Mainly i'd like to hear from people who have long term EXPERIENCE with using one. Here is the one i'm thinking about http://www.officebeyond.com/va-130-0300.html. Anybody have direct experience with using a variac on an inline fan?

 

[cjk]

interestingly enough, i just found that can fan actually sells a variac to control there big ass 12" fan ... scroll down ... http://www.canfilters.com/catalogue.html

 

[growshopfrank]

Ive run a pair of elicent 200b's for a little more than 5 years off a staco 10a variac with 0 problems including during the colder months running them just above stall.

the variac you have listed would be fine for a fan that draws 2.5a or less

 

[festivus]

I have variable fan speed controllers on 2 of my 6" axials and they work great! The problem starts when guys try to use dimmers (rheostat) instead of speed controllers.

 

[cjk]

Ive run a pair of elicent 200b's for a little more than 5 years off a staco 10a variac with 0 problems including during the colder months running them just above stall.

the variac you have listed would be fine for a fan that draws 2.5a or less

Awesome thx for the input

 

[cjk]

I have variable fan speed controllers on 2 of my 6" axials and they work great! The problem starts when guys try to use dimmers (rheostat) instead of speed controllers.

axial fans may work well with the speed controllers but inline fans do not. the problem is the speedster fan controls work by turning the fan on and off extremely fast in order to keep the fan at a slower speed. this causes stress on the fan and also creates a buzzing noise which is at times worse than the air noise.

 

[cjk]

where's my variac peeps?!?! anyone used the particular one that i linked to?? is it wall mountable? i could always make a little shelf ...

 

[cjk]

This is what vortex said, looks like im ordering a variac ...

Dear xxxx

The variac is a variable tranformer and will eliminate all the humming sound this is the best speed control

Best regards

 

[potlatch]

interestingly enough, i just found that can fan actually sells a variac to control there big ass 12" fan ... scroll down ... http://www.canfilters.com/catalogue.html

I don't see a fuse or circuit breaker on the unit?
Somebody somewhere almost burnt down their tent with an unfused variac.

 

[Madrus Rose]

not the solid state variable controller i have , which has lasted 9yrs with the high-torque
FanTech 12"...but these look like they would do a longlasting job just as well
http://www.growerssupply.com/farm/s...ntrollers-gs1_speed_controllers;pgcr2180.html

muffle those baby's too...

 

[Carl Spackler]

I have used a Variac for over 3 years on a 6" Vortex, no problems and it works great. I use one like this Ebay item # 220691200348 YRMV!