It would take a little bit more work and some creativity but you can use a DC inverter, controller and a DC motor which will give you almost unlimited adjust ability in fan speed. This is common in automotive spray booths to control dust levels without moving too much air while the car is being painted then ramped up for the curing/bake cycle.
Speed Control for inline fan? No Hum!
- Thread starter blacksnow
- Start date
onefortheroad
Active Member
wrap it in insolation and use insulated duct. hang it from rubber straps to cut down vibration in the walls. check out my post.
dangerous1
Active Member
The fan itself probably makes less noise that the air being blown around.
Hello all, Does anyone know more information about this fan speed controler? When I google "STR" I'm not finding it.
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- Suitable for fans up to a full load current of 1.5 Amps.
- Completely eliminates noisy motor hum!
- Surface mounting with cable glands.
- Excellent for hydroponic grow room fans.
- Brand new, in box with full wiring instructions!
- Genuine product with 12 months warranty.
- Reduced fan noise, fans speed and power consumption.
- 5-Step speed control.
- Protected to IP54.
- 2.2 & 5 Amp versions also available for bigger fans.
- Discounts for trade customers and bulk purchases.
- Works with ALL major fan brands!
- VAT Invoices available.
- Green "on" light.
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gotta get the hydrofarm speed controller, its pretty much outstanding. I have two of them and it is completely variable from low low basically off to faster than the fan will go itself. pretty ballin. $20 and wired to an outlet. If you have wall sockets like north america you're set.
BudsworthII
Member
That one (basically "The Speedster") is the one that invokes a hum.
I've been searching now for something to slow down my fan and not introduce a hum. I currently have a Speedster on my 10" Max Fan....and guess what...it makes it hum. Why? Because it doesn't lower the voltage going to the fan. It's actually turning the fan off and on at a high rate.
I've been searching all the forums sites for a definitive answer. I believe it has to be a variable transformer...but I'll call Can Fan today and find out what they suggest.
And in every thread I've found across the internet on this very same discussion...it's always explained what the problem is (hum from the fan) and what causes it (hunk of junk controllers like you're suggesting).
And invariably...some guy comes in later in the thread having not read the thread and says, "Hey, bro-dude, I use one of these here Speedsters and it works like a charm.".
So I just gotta know...are you not hearing the hum your motor is putting out? Because if you're using a Speedster...I 100% guarantee you're getting a hum. No...your fan and Speedster controller are not special. It IS making a hum.
Now pay attention to your equipment and the thread before you basically take us back pages because your head is in the clouds.
And I am meaning to be rude.
SL2
Well-Known Member
I have been looking at these. Dont know about the hum.
http://www.ncwgs.com/grozone_temp_controller.php
http://www.ncwgs.com/grozone_temp_controller.php
BudsworthII
Member
Talked to Can Fan today. Those solid state one's (like the Speedster), he said, are bad for your fan...and will shorten the life (in some cases, dramatically...especially on the 12" Max Fan). That "hum" is the motor being started and stopped and restarted at a fast rate. Notice how when you just plug the fan into the wall, it makes an initial hum as it starts up, but that it goes away after a few seconds as it hits top speed? Well...in those cheap one's like the Speedster, since it's constantly restarting, that's why you hear the "hum". It is bad, bad, bad for that $200+ fan you just bought. If you've got enough money to buy a new fan every six months...then by all means...go right ahead and buy the Speedster.
Here's the speed controller they make and he suggested:
http://www.canfilters.com/catalogue.html
He said it was specifically designed for Can Fans. However...it's $300! Wowzers!
I then asked him if what I was looking for was a variable transformer. He said yes. However the one they make can handle up to ten amps.
Quite frankly, seeing as my 10" Max Fan (mine was $300 w/free ship: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120517747485&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=M*F%3F&GUID=250163611200a0b58f903380ffd34c6c&itemid=120517747485&ff4=263602_263622 )
only uses 1.9 amps...I can't see why I'd need to pay $300 for a variable transformer for a 10 amp one.
Here's a 5 amp one I found for $49.95+$18 for shipping:
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7674
I'd like to see if I can buy one locally to save the shipping money.
Again...STAY AWAY FROM "THE SPEEDSTER" UNLESS YOU WANT YOUR FAN TO BURN OUT!
Here's the speed controller they make and he suggested:
http://www.canfilters.com/catalogue.html
He said it was specifically designed for Can Fans. However...it's $300! Wowzers!
I then asked him if what I was looking for was a variable transformer. He said yes. However the one they make can handle up to ten amps.
Quite frankly, seeing as my 10" Max Fan (mine was $300 w/free ship: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120517747485&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=M*F%3F&GUID=250163611200a0b58f903380ffd34c6c&itemid=120517747485&ff4=263602_263622 )
only uses 1.9 amps...I can't see why I'd need to pay $300 for a variable transformer for a 10 amp one.
Here's a 5 amp one I found for $49.95+$18 for shipping:
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7674
I'd like to see if I can buy one locally to save the shipping money.
Again...STAY AWAY FROM "THE SPEEDSTER" UNLESS YOU WANT YOUR FAN TO BURN OUT!
smokingrubber
Well-Known Member
Here is the controller I use on my CanFan and my Elicient inline. Works absolutely wonderful with no hum (the speedster hummed bad).
http://aeroponicsnmore.com/climate-control-ventilation-c-23_5/temp-2v-fan-speed-control-variable-idle-setpoint-p-181
It's great because I bought a huge fan, and it doesn't need to be full-blast all of the time. This controller runs the fan at "idle" speed until it gets too hot. It automatically speeds up & cools my tent! The controller is expensive, but it's way cheaper than an AC.
IMO this controller is mandatory on any exhaust fan tasked with cooling your grow.
http://aeroponicsnmore.com/climate-control-ventilation-c-23_5/temp-2v-fan-speed-control-variable-idle-setpoint-p-181
It's great because I bought a huge fan, and it doesn't need to be full-blast all of the time. This controller runs the fan at "idle" speed until it gets too hot. It automatically speeds up & cools my tent! The controller is expensive, but it's way cheaper than an AC.
IMO this controller is mandatory on any exhaust fan tasked with cooling your grow.
Smoking, can those controllers control multiple fans? Or is it one per controller?
Also, and apologies if this is a stupid question, but why not just get a thermostat that turns your fan(s) on and off, as opposed to the speed controller?
I have two, and they both work great (keep my temps in a 3 degree band).
SickSadLittleWorld
Well-Known Member
I know this is directed at me, so this is for you,And invariably...some guy comes in later in the thread having not read the thread and says, "Hey, bro-dude, I use one of these here Speedsters and it works like a charm.".
So I just gotta know...are you not hearing the hum your motor is putting out? Because if you're using a Speedster...I 100% guarantee you're getting a hum. No...your fan and Speedster controller are not special. It IS making a hum.
Now pay attention to your equipment and the thread before you basically take us back pages because your head is in the clouds.
And I am meaning to be rude.
. Passive-aggressive little fuck.And I read the thread, checked the fan at all speeds, and there was no hum. Until you pop your head in my tent and listen to my fan for humming, you can't guarantee shit.
smokingrubber
Well-Known Member
For my primary exhaust, I don't want the fan to turn all the way off. I want at least some circulation to allow constant fresh air to run through the garden. But I don't want 700cfm contantly either! It's nice to have that top-end available for warmer days.
I don't know if it will control multiple fans. I've tried it on two different fans, but not both at the same time. I'm a few days from chop, so I'll experiment with it while the room is down.
BudsworthII
Member
You probably need to go edit the other thread on this page pimping out the Speedster. While you may well have no problem with your particular fan...that controller burns out motors.I know this is directed at me, so this is for you,
And I read the thread, checked the fan at all speeds, and there was no hum. Until you pop your head in my tent and listen to my fan for humming, you can't guarantee shit.
I'm sure you'd feel horrible if some anonymous person on the internet burned out their $200 inline fan because of your insistence on telling people that it's what they need to control their fan speed.
I've never used a speed controller (obviously), but I'd think that the difference between one fan running at 50% constantly and one fan running for 2-3 minutes on/2-3 minutes off would be negligible at best, no?
Assuming your fans aren't positioned in a way/manner such that them running full bore causes windburn or something on your plants, I literally see almost zero benefit to a speed controller - can someone tell me where I'm missing something?
And referencing the multiple fans, I was thinking like having an entire surge protector plugged into it, and running 2-4 fans off of that surge protector - would this not work?
smokingrubber
Well-Known Member
In my open-loop system: I need constant fresh air in the tent. If I ran 700cfm through my filter constantly, it wouldn't last very long and my power bill would be a little higher. AND my tent temps would be highly dependant on outdoor temps.
In my future closed-loop system: I will put an ice-box on the return port. I don't need 700cfm contantly, but it will quickly cool the tent whenever it gets too hot.
With the speedster, I've found that no matter what you set the speed to, it won't be appropriate at ALL times. I was always out there fiddling with it to find the appropriate speed. The tent temps would still spike and plummet at night. With the TV2 controller, my temp problems completely went away.
SickSadLittleWorld
Well-Known Member
Yeah, let me go edit that because some troll with 10 posts and an expert opinion all of a sudden after speaking with can fan on the phone told me so.
Not really because the only thing I insisted was that my fan works with the speedster without growling or humming. Never did I endorse it, "pimp it", whatever....I don't give a damn what they buy.
flonomendo
Active Member
Any updates on this? I am currently trying to speed control my 6" High Ouput Can Fan... speedster type controllers just buzz like hell on my fan. Was thinking of getting a variac but didn't want to spend a bunch of money on something that is either potential dangerous to the house and the fan or just a waste of money in other words...
xebeche
Well-Known Member
Sarsippious is correct. I have a S&P 100x and a variable autotransformer works perfectly for controlling the speed. You can sometimes find a decent used unit on eBay for $40 (incl. shipping), but you have to get lucky I think, since others are always looking for these devices. I got one for $35.99 about six months ago, then kept looking for a second one to buy and only recently (last week) won the auction (for under $40)..but when it arrived it turns out the fuse is missing so it's DOA unless I can find a replacement fuse at Home Depot or online. These things show up on eBay all the time (since they're very common - and useful- gadgets), but you have to be nimble (or lucky) on the eBay auctions to get a decent FUNCTIONAL used unit for under $40.
Alternatively, I think the one in the link that Sarsippious gave would do exactly what you want it to do...BUT I would check the amp rating on your particular fan, since that variac looks to have a 5 amp fuse, whereas the one I'm using to control a TD-100x is this model Powerstat 3PN116 (like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/Cenco-Powerstat-Variable-Autotransformer-0-140V-10A-/370475952447?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item564216693f) and so is rated at 10 amp. As long as your 200x pulls less than about 4 amps you'd probably be fine with that new $50 unit in his link.
Hope this helps.
Good luck
pazuzu420
Well-Known Member
Well it seems after all the research I have been conducting I've read numerous posts about ppl complaining about a 'hum' when using the speedster or equivlant device on a can fan or the s&p, or any two speed motor out there. I personally haven't heard anyone complainig using a vortex fan which is what I wax looking at buying myself and controlling it with a speedster but am now leary. Does anyone else use a vortex with this controller.
After researching I've decided that I will prob go with this because it gives me both of the options I was looking for variable speed with temp control, which will be very important in my cabinet since we have very high fluctuations between day and night time temps. Oh and the Vortex fans also state that they are completely variable speed controllable, could that make a difference?
Here is the link for the controller I'm going to use unless I get some other input real soon
http://www.growwurks.com/c-a-p-controllers-vsc-dne-variable-fan-speed-contoller-day-night.aspx
Wake~~n~~Bake
After researching I've decided that I will prob go with this because it gives me both of the options I was looking for variable speed with temp control, which will be very important in my cabinet since we have very high fluctuations between day and night time temps. Oh and the Vortex fans also state that they are completely variable speed controllable, could that make a difference?
Here is the link for the controller I'm going to use unless I get some other input real soon
http://www.growwurks.com/c-a-p-controllers-vsc-dne-variable-fan-speed-contoller-day-night.aspx
Wake~~n~~Bake