Tornado on my porch, Almost. Fan speed control ???

Just by a fan speed control and put it in a plastic utility box
between wall plug and fan. The controls sold at Lowes for
Harbor Breeze or Hunter will work, no problem. I had inducer
motor go out in my Furnance on cold weekend. After spendiding
several hours adapting a little Fasco motor to inducer cowling
and fan, I had x3 rpm than needed. Put fan control in line and
ran fine.
 
DeathGrip said:
Harbor Freight. About a dozen places have the same thing just labeled differently.

If I wanted to wait I coulda got one off Amazon that plugs in the wall W/O a cord for about $15.
Click to expand...

thanks. i'll have to stop by there this weekend.
 
Here's some tips I found if anyone wants to do something similar.

Most electric motors can be used with a speed controller. Ones that feature a "soft start" are not compatible.

Make sure your amps on the motor don't exceed the speed controls rating.

Leave the fan on it's highest setting. This will help it start and keep the motor's brushes from burning.

Keep the speed control dial on it's highest setting to start and then back it down to the desired speed.

I backed it way down last night and between it and the frogs it sounded like I was in the 'Glades with an airboat idling in the distance. If I left the screen door open I coulda got the mosquitos in for the full effect.
 
DeathGrip said:
Here's some tips I found if anyone wants to do something similar.

Most electric motors can be used with a speed controller. Ones that feature a "soft start" are not compatible.

Make sure your amps on the motor don't exceed the speed controls rating.

Leave the fan on it's highest setting. This will help it start and keep the motor's brushes from burning.

Keep the speed control dial on it's highest setting to start and then back it down to the desired speed.

I backed it way down last night and between it and the frogs it sounded like I was in the 'Glades with an airboat idling in the distance. If I left the screen door open I coulda got the mosquitos in for the full effect.
Click to expand...

Didn't happen without pictures..:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:;);):D

 
DeathGrip said:
I bought a 30" pedestal fan from harbor freight for the back porch. Man that thing moves some air. Even low it's blasting. :eek:


I got to thinking. Could I use a Variac to reduce the voltage safely? Should I get a 500W or a 1000W? :confused:


Don't get to tec on me. :o


Cheers and thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

dont mean to get tech on you, but imma gonna get a little tech on you :p

You have a hazard fraught product.
its not only cheap, its usually pretty simple too.
I'd crack open the existing 3 position control, determine how they establish speeds and mod accordingly.

Since the demise of Radioshack, parts have become easier to obtain via Digikey, Newark, Allied, and others.
also, electronics is not that hard. One need only to get over the fear of the thunder in the box and replace it with respect.
 
venomballistics said:
dont mean to get tech on you, but imma gonna get a little tech on you :p

You have a hazard fraught product.
its not only cheap, its usually pretty simple too.
I'd crack open the existing 3 position control, determine how they establish speeds and mod accordingly.

Since the demise of Radioshack, parts have become easier to obtain via Digikey, Newark, Allied, and others.
also, electronics is not that hard. One need only to get over the fear of the thunder in the box and replace it with respect.
Click to expand...

Hardly tec. ;)

The three position switch in the fan motor needs only to be open to high therefore not reducing the input voltage. Having eliminated the switch I am now using the router speed control for that purpose. It is fused at 15 amps. Everything is rated for 15 amps except the fan motor. It's rated at 2.4amps. Where's the hazard?
 
When you toast the fan motor it will not be lightly brown, it will be charred black. If there is a winding short, 15 amps will truly fry a 2.4 amp motor.


Have no fear, there is more at Harbor Freight.
 
Huh, if plugged straight into the wall without the variac it has at least 15 amps available to it. Lowering the input voltage doesn't change amps available only used as P=ExI. Ya a winding might short, but that could happen with or without the variac. He could put a 3 amp fuse in one of the input leads to the fan. Over load of any kind= popped fuse
 
Engineer1911 said:
When you toast the fan motor it will not be lightly brown, it will be charred black. If there is a winding short, 15 amps will truly fry a 2.4 amp motor.


Have no fear, there is more at Harbor Freight.
Click to expand...


Ok All of my outlets are rated at 15, My breaker panel is 20

The way I see it is I've only replaced the 3 way switch with a veritable one that's also rated for 15. I assume the 3 way on the fan is rated for 15. At any rate the amps are probably reduced within the motor to get the 2.4 rating.


Where am I wrong?
 
Engineer1911 said:
When you toast the fan motor it will not be lightly brown, it will be charred black. If there is a winding short, 15 amps will truly fry a 2.4 amp motor.


Have no fear, there is more at Harbor Freight.
Click to expand...

amp draw is determined by the load. The motor is the load and regulates draw.
since he has reduced voltage, the current draw has also been reduced.
It might be helpful to change out the fuse for something like a 4 or 5 amp against a catastrophic fault
it is a horrible fright product after all
 
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