Fan speed controller

Anybody use the cheap fan speed controllers? Are they safe ? Or are they a hazzard? Also would it damage my rvk fan?

I hate them. had two, always seemed noisy, like a bad electrical connection. I bet some have them going for years with no issue, while others have lost hundred dollar fans. way cheaper rheostats are at lowes, built in a cord all ready to go. bzzzzttt

chemphlegm said:

I hate them. had two, always seemed noisy, like a bad electrical connection. I bet some have them going for years with no issue, while others have lost hundred dollar fans. way cheaper rheostats are at lowes, built in a cord all ready to go. bzzzzttt

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Hmm this sounds way better. Do they buzz? I would be a noob when it comes to electrics so would i be best leaving it to a pro or would it be easy enough to do myself?

ThatSpudGuy said:

Hmm this sounds way better. Do they buzz? I would be a noob when it comes to electrics so would i be best leaving it to a pro or would it be easy enough to do myself?

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those are all plug and play. I used a rheo to control a soldering iron to use as a vaporizer element when I was a baby, but using them to slow electric motors seemed bad to me, I scrapped both of my controllers.

Buy a Variac of ebay mate. Cheep fan speed controllers will make your fan hum which you might not notice till bed time, its one of those sounds that travels. Cheap controllers turn the fan on/off many times a second which is why they hum. You want something that steps the voltage down like a variable transformer.

coreywebster said:

Buy a Variac of ebay mate. Cheep fan speed controllers will make your fan hum which you might not notice till bed time, its one of those sounds that travels. Cheap controllers turn the fan on/off many times a second which is why they hum. You want something that steps the voltage down like a variable transformer.

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The buzzing doesnt bother me i just want to be sure its not a fire hazard and that it wont mess up my fan

ThatSpudGuy said:

The buzzing doesnt bother me i just want to be sure its not a fire hazard and that it wont mess up my fan

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A hazard, no.
My Airforce 2 came with a built in one which I know isn't a variable transformer. I used to use it, did so for first few years. The fans still running sweet after nearly 7 years 24/7. So although I have read they can shorten the life of the fan I have not seen proof. Plus, what does shorten mean, if you can run your fan 10 years without one but 5 years with one, who cares. 5 years is a lot of growing!

Thats what i wanted to hear haha thanks for the input mate. Wasnt looking forward to the idea of spending that sort of money on a variac speed controller.

ThatSpudGuy said:

Thats what i wanted to hear haha thanks for the input mate. Wasnt looking forward to the idea of spending that sort of money on a variac speed controller.

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your good to go I have been running the 20 dollar active air ones for yrs no hum no buzz,have no idea what folks r talking about humming or buzzing got more than one going

I have two 6" active air inline fans and one 4" all on the $20 active air controller or the better one with the rocker switch for 4 years almost continually running with no problems. Also no loud buzz. I still hear the fan more.

I like my hyper fans with the built in controller too.

Thanks for the input guys much appreciated