speed controller+exhaust fan??

M

medicineforpatients

Member
If I have my speed controller set at 30% percent power for my fan, would it be using less electricity than just running the fan without the speed controller? Or does it not matter and it uses the same amount of electricity regardless? Thanks
 
chemtrailsrbad

chemtrailsrbad

Well-Known Member
BSD0621 said:
.. Is this a serious question?? Does a microwave run full power when it's set for half power???
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Is that a serious answer?? Seriously if you don't know, don't answer.

And to the op, it depends what speed controller you have, if you have a resistance based controller then you will actually be 100% power but if you have a more expensive transformer based one you will be cutting the power to 30%.

Does you fan make a humming noise when set to 30%? That is a way of telling if you are using a resistance based or transformer based.

Transformer based ones are the only way to go to prolong the life of your fan and to reduce humming noises from the fan.

What controller do you have?
 
Pop The Trunk

Pop The Trunk

Member
chemtrailsrbad said:
Is that a serious answer?? Seriously if you don't know, don't answer.

And to the op, it depends what speed controller you have, if you have a resistance based controller then you will actually be 100% power but if you have a more expensive transformer based one you will be cutting the power to 30%.

Does you fan make a humming noise when set to 30%? That is a way of telling if you are using a resistance based or transformer based.

Transformer based ones are the only way to go to prolong the life of your fan and to reduce humming noises from the fan.

What controller do you have?
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Wow someone who knows what they are talking about for once when it comes to power. I had an argument with a guy over this same topic but it was about dimmable ballasts. i found it hilarious that i have 2 years highschool and 2 years of college electronics classes and yet the guy whos last electrical accomplishment was putting new batteries in his TV remote was the one telling me that im wrong.
 
FuckJeffGoldbloom

FuckJeffGoldbloom

Well-Known Member
if its a speed controller the electricity is the same as high power, the controller is only controlling the speed, but the voltage stays the same...reducing the life of your fan...is it a little inline fan that goes inside the duct? or a real inline fan? i use a variac variable transformer, this controls the voltage to your fan, the only way to save power, safe and effective, and will not reduce life
 
Sire Killem All

Sire Killem All

Well-Known Member
ok, i will say it depends on the type of fan you are controlling. If you are using a stepless on a duct fan then yes it will drop your power consumption, if you are using a stepless on a Inline Fan then no it will still use 100% power and shorten your fans life, as well as put you in risk of fire. Inline Fans use what is called a Variac Controller, it will lower the A/C current that is sent to ur fan it keeps a constant power but at a lower lvl, Stepless work on a Pulse of voltage on/off/on/off. so in the end it depends on what controller you use with what Fan type. save your fan and possibly your family and buy the right controller for your fan. If you are using a inline fan and wish to buy a Variac controller you should buy one that is Rated @ 5Amps cuz when u start your inline it will spike in amps drawn by around 50% so a 3A fan will draw around 4.5A on start up. hope this helps a little more.
 
FuckJeffGoldbloom

FuckJeffGoldbloom

Well-Known Member
Sire Killem All said:
ok, i will say it depends on the type of fan you are controlling. If you are using a stepless on a duct fan then yes it will drop your power consumption, if you are using a stepless on a Inline Fan then no it will still use 100% power and shorten your fans life, as well as put you in risk of fire. Inline Fans use what is called a Variac Controller, it will lower the A/C current that is sent to ur fan it keeps a constant power but at a lower lvl, Stepless work on a Pulse of voltage on/off/on/off. so in the end it depends on what controller you use with what Fan type. save your fan and possibly your family and buy the right controller for your fan. If you are using a inline fan and wish to buy a Variac controller you should buy one that is Rated @ 5Amps cuz when u start your inline it will spike in amps drawn by around 50% so a 3A fan will draw around 4.5A on start up. hope this helps a little more.
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Well said, better than my burnt brain!
 
Pop The Trunk

Pop The Trunk

Member
Sire Killem All said:
ok, i will say it depends on the type of fan you are controlling. If you are using a stepless on a duct fan then yes it will drop your power consumption, if you are using a stepless on a Inline Fan then no it will still use 100% power and shorten your fans life, as well as put you in risk of fire. Inline Fans use what is called a Variac Controller, it will lower the A/C current that is sent to ur fan it keeps a constant power but at a lower lvl, Stepless work on a Pulse of voltage on/off/on/off. so in the end it depends on what controller you use with what Fan type. save your fan and possibly your family and buy the right controller for your fan. If you are using a inline fan and wish to buy a Variac controller you should buy one that is Rated @ 5Amps cuz when u start your inline it will spike in amps drawn by around 50% so a 3A fan will draw around 4.5A on start up. hope this helps a little more.
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A/C is "Alternating Current on/off/on/off, D/C is direct current, but you are right there are a few factors that go into power consumption. In all reality if you have a desktop computer it atleast has a 350 watt power supply so really a few inline fans wont make a dent in your power bill.
 
B

BSD0621

Well-Known Member
chemtrailsrbad said:
Is that a serious answer?? Seriously if you don't know, don't answer.

And to the op, it depends what speed controller you have, if you have a resistance based controller then you will actually be 100% power but if you have a more expensive transformer based one you will be cutting the power to 30%.

Does you fan make a humming noise when set to 30%? That is a way of telling if you are using a resistance based or transformer based.

Transformer based ones are the only way to go to prolong the life of your fan and to reduce humming noises from the fan.

What controller do you have?
Click to expand...
Do you not know the answer? ;)
 
Sire Killem All

Sire Killem All

Well-Known Member
Pop The Trunk said:
A/C is "Alternating Current on/off/on/off, D/C is direct current, but you are right there are a few factors that go into power consumption. In all reality if you have a desktop computer it atleast has a 350 watt power supply so really a few inline fans wont make a dent in your power bill.
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most typical inline fans have a DC converter built in is why they are not on/off/on/off like a brush motor that doesn't use DC. stepless are made for a/c pulse type motor that space out the pulses causing the fan to go slower. inlines use AC only tilll it gets to the converter then is changed to constant d/c Variac controllers lower the A/C going in which in turn lowers the total d/c going out so less volts to the fan and runs slower but still constant. computer PSU only use what power is being drawn, a 1k PSU will run @ 350W PSU if thats all that is needed, but can vamp up to 1k if needed. so that is kinda right but a little misleading.
 
M

medicineforpatients

Member
Sorry I couldn't quite follow all that and understand all that of what you guys were trying to explain. Electricity and power is not my strong suit. But if you could tell me if those 2 pieces I posted above.
 
rarebreed619

rarebreed619

Active Member
Sorry for the hijacking. Going to be running a speedster with an 8" max fan and when I tested had no humming. Should I get a variac instead or will I f my brand new max fan?
 
M

medicineforpatients

Member
medicineforpatients said:
This is what Im using guys. http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-ACSC-Fan-Speed-Controller/dp/B003URBQ1M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1377613922&sr=8-2&keywords=hydrofarm+4"+fan and my fan is this http://www.amazon.com/Active-Air-inch-In-Line-Fan/dp/B002JQ4N92/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1377613956&sr=8-5&keywords=hydrofarm+4"+fan
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so would this setup use the same amount of electricity regardless of fan speed or would it use less electricity if I had it running at a lower speed? Thanks
 
Sire Killem All

Sire Killem All

Well-Known Member
rarebreed619 said:
Sorry for the hijacking. Going to be running a speedster with an 8" max fan and when I tested had no humming. Should I get a variac instead or will I f my brand new max fan?
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it will produce heat, and lower the life of your fan even with out the hum. Max fans are expensive i would use the variac if only for the safe mind of my investment.

medicineforpatients said:
so would this setup use the same amount of electricity regardless of fan speed or would it use less electricity if I had it running at a lower speed? Thanks
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yes with that you are always using the same amount of elec.
 
M

medicineforpatients

Member
Anyone think there would be a sufficient amount of co2 in a 8x6' room with only 4 plants while running my exhaust for 1 half hour and then having it off 3 hours. I have a dehumidifier so humidity is not really a worry. Its the amount of depleted co2 that worries me.
 
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