Are big speed controlled fans louder than small speed controlled fans.

[moonquasar]

I have a speed controller and a large 12'' centrifugal. I'm planning a closet grow. Should I get a small 6'' centrifugal or slow down the 12'' fan? I'm worried that if I slow it down, it will make a buzzing noise. I suppose I could try it and find out.

Will the small fan be quieter?

Your thoughts?

 

[tokersmoke]

Depending on the fan you have you may be able to get db ratings from the maker.When shopping look at db ratings if available.If you buy the other fan and its still too loud you can always use somehow. also rubber hanging straps help isolate the sound.i had my fan filter on a shelf and it really made the sound louder.Are you gonna use this fan for exhaust?

 

[Walt Jabsco]

If you have a speedster type controller it will buzz. Variac autotransformer type controller and fan will not buzz. A 3 amp can be had for 50 on amazon.

 

[the gnome]

almost all inlines can run off the speedster,
mixed flow fans like a max fan needs a variac,
depends if the motor uses brushes or not.

12" is pretty big for a closet
but if it needs a 6" to do the job that 6" will most likely run full throttle and make as much noise as its capable of.
I would oversize the fan to at least an 8" and then you can use the speedster to slow it down moving the same amount of air as the 6" but it will be quieter.

becarefull turning down a larger fan like a 12" if you only need a 6",
if its too big for your use and youturn it down too much it won't be able to cool its self and fry.

what exactly are you using the fan for?
vented hoods?

 

[mojave green]

use the 12" and run less often if it's too much.

 

[ceosam]

Although you can add a speed controller to any fan, the fans were only designed for one speed. Larger fans can sometimes even be louder (you get a special sort of buzz) with a controller and it will drastically shorten the fans life. Tried this with a canmax 12 recently and it just doesn't work properly, ended up getting a hyperfan 10 that has a built in controller. Also check out the can-qmax line