Speed Controller With S&P Fans

[Will5437]

Hello

Is anyone here running their S&P fan with a speed controller? I read many of the threads and many report a humming coming from the fan at lower voltages. I saw a thread that said I could wire a light dimmer to the fan. Is anyone here running a controller on their S&P? If so what is it, and is there hum? I would like a as cheap as possible solution.

 

[Sparky22]

i too am curious about this. I've heard some negative things about adding a speed controller but nothing concrete. Maybe try contacting s and p directly?

 

[polyarcturus]

it depends on the controler some are a recyling timer others are a spring dial. in the case of the spring dial lowering the fan below 60% can shorten the life of the fan and create the buzzing you are speaking off and are to be avoided if you want to lower the fan below 50%( i use one but i think its killing my fan and i have it set at 80% roughly)

a recycling timer just turns the power on and off quickly with preset time intervals and are very safe for fans usually cost about 20$ at the hydro store. although i am unsure whether they put off a buzzing or not.

 

[highasfvck]

My S&P TD-200 came with two speeds high and low. Have you tried to see if either of the original preset speeds work for you? I just have mine on high and it's working great now.

 

[NewGrower2011]

it depends on the controler some are a recyling timer others are a spring dial. in the case of the spring dial lowering the fan below 60% can shorten the life of the fan and create the buzzing you are speaking off and are to be avoided if you want to lower the fan below 50%( i use one but i think its killing my fan and i have it set at 80% roughly)

a recycling timer just turns the power on and off quickly with preset time intervals and are very safe for fans usually cost about 20$ at the hydro store. although i am unsure whether they put off a buzzing or not.

What you really want is a Variac... Google it... I posted a thread here a while back when first learning about fans and what-not... The key is this... the cheap ones in the hydro-store are one approach which results in a stuttering stop/start at very small intervals... that's the simplest way I can explain it... And I think it also generates heat as a by-product... not sure on that part...

A variac on the other hand... actually transforms the voltage... so it's actually delivery less juice... but at a constanst/steady voltage.... no stuttering.... which is what kills your fans from what I hear.

One of the hydro catalogs I picked up has the true Variac from CanFan I believe... they want $299 for it... But search Ebay and the Net and they can be had for about $50 actually... So a FAR better solution from what I can tell.. for just a little more money in the big picture...

If I'm off my rocker and you have info to back it up.... please share.... but I gathered this info from a lot of researching... but I'm no electical engineer...

 

[NewGrower2011]

Like this I think... Be sure to match up the Amperage you're running to whatever you get...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Variable-AC...247?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c26c3cfef

 

[polyarcturus]

yep the vaiac is the precise version of the spring loaded dial, but recycling timers are very safe. i wouldn't worry about the heat fans generate tho.
but your not off your rockier and you input some good info.