Right speed controller?

Hey guys, so I have this inline fun that I need to reduce and am wondering which type of controller would work without messing up the motor.

Any suggestions and/or advice is much appreciated.

The only one I that works and doesn't harm the motor was on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006NGI8VS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1425242268&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=variac+speed+controller

just got one of those, turned my inline fan down with NO noise (from the motor/transformer). fixing to order my second one!!

I bought 2 also. They both work great. Using this along with my 2 6" vortex fans and it's almost silent even on 100%.

Perfect answer.

Beezcheeze said:

I bought 2 also. They both work great. Using this along with my 2 6" vortex fans and it's almost silent even on 100%.

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I've used VenTech variable controller and never had any issues. Pretty inexpensive.

http://www.amazon.com/VenTech-VTSPEED-Variable-Router-Controller/dp/B00EVYGPJQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1422488203&sr=8-2&keywords=inline+fan+speed+controller

Beezcheeze said:

The only one I that works and doesn't harm the motor was on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006NGI8VS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1425242268&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=variac speed controller

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I've got 2 different in-line fans :

1) http://www.christmas.com/ideadetails/153372/
2) http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Inline-Fan-10in-790CFM/dp/B004TJFO5O

I was wondering if this speed controller would work on either of these fans (should the need arise for me to swap it out between fans), once at a time of course.

The variac is the quietest speed control. I have a couple of the inexpensive dimmer-like controllers. They cause a buzz in the fan, probably due to the AC voltage being clipped (like 60 on/off pulses every second). It's reported to be bad for fan motors.

I've been playing with a way to have the fan switch between an idle speed that just enough to refill the tent every 5 minutes (common rule of thumb for sizing a fan to a tent) and full speed to evacuate heat if it builds up. Also thinking about tying this setup into my light timer so it will go to a higher idle speed when lights on (using a fixed voltage transformer instead of a variable.).

Sounds like a good idea in theory^^ let us know how you get that to work. That's a great way to have ventallation. I can see how you'd do it with 2 seperate fans but...

Grozone. TV2. Thermal speed control of fan.
Set temp and idle speed. Idle from 20% to 60%. When temp goes above set degree it increases fan speed to control. All the way to 100% and in 5% increments if necessary. If it goes 6 degrees colder then set point it turns fan off so not to make it too cool for plants.
On start up it puts full power to start the motor then decreases to needed speed. And you can set to turn off at lights out too.

Thank you for your suggestions guys. I pulled the trigger on the variac controller and I'll let you know how it goes once it gets here.

congrats, you made the right choice, its the most advanced kick ass controller going, wait till you hold it and feel the weight of it, its solid and it gives you FULL control over your fan, quiet days ahead for you

Thanks Tim, I got the controller and it works like a charm. Not a single buzz, very nice.

its the snizzle , I know,, lol

just an fyi to everyone, those amazon chinese variacs are VERY poorly made.

- Jiji

thanks for the heads up, but upon inspection of my amazon variac controller it seems to be built like a tank, its heavy, has great vents, the connections look solid inside ( yes i opened it up), and it controls my fan like a dream, oh and it doesnt even get hot when controlling my 6" fan all the way down to a whisper, maybe you got a bad one, even mercedes benz builds a bad car now and then, just a lemon i suppose?

Hang your fans with bungee cords,and get real quiet.

Tim Fox said:

thanks for the heads up, but upon inspection of my amazon variac controller it seems to be built like a tank, its heavy, has great vents, the connections look solid inside ( yes i opened it up), and it controls my fan like a dream, oh and it doesnt even get hot when controlling my 6" fan all the way down to a whisper, maybe you got a bad one, even mercedes benz builds a bad car now and then, just a lemon i suppose?

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There's a reason why its a hell of a lot cheaper than say a US made version.

Its not UL or even CE listed. It by nature is heavy, but the body is just thin stamped steel, with a 1 cent power cord. Not what I would call heavy duty.

I'm not saying it wont work, just know what your buying.

There's a good thread on another forum where a member was severely electrocuted by his, I'll see if I can find it.

- Jiji

EDIT: Heres where Pontiac mentions it, if you search around in another thread he goes into detail about what happened.

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=141509

Its kinda funny most USA made things are built with China parts, I hope that person is OK

I was kinda chuckeling to myself all night at work last night about this thread, because it came to me, that my speed controller is made in china, my $1 dollar extension cords from home depot are made in china, my mars hydro led is made in china, heck I bet even my recycled wardrobe from the renovated hotel is fiberboard from china ( uses those speed connectors and lays flat like IKEA stuff does), If I start speaking WANG CHUNG when I smoke weed I grow in my cab, I will need a good shrink! LOL