Home made speed controller? +rep maybe

High Time 420

High Time 420

Well-Known Member
Hi peeps,

Anyone ever made a speed controller or seen any threads about how to make one.

I have searched around and carn't see any info on this.

Any help you be great and +reps for good help.

Peace:bigjoint:
 
mlahonta

mlahonta

Member
High Time 420 said:
Hi peeps,

Anyone ever made a speed controller or seen any threads about how to make one.

I have searched around and carn't see any info on this.

Any help you be great and +reps for good help.

Peace:bigjoint:
Click to expand...
You could just buy this one and save effort. But I did and I still have it up all the way anyway. I don't really use the features of the speed controller because it seems like you don't hear difference in fan speed except for like the top %4 of the rotary dial.

http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=53142
 
High Time 420

High Time 420

Well-Known Member
mlahonta said:
You could just buy this one and save effort. But I did and I still have it up all the way anyway. I don't really use the features of the speed controller because it seems like you don't hear difference in fan speed except for like the top %4 of the rotary dial.

http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=53142
Click to expand...

I know i could buy one, but i doubt that they are hard to make and i like a bit of diy.

My fan i way too big for the area it's being used so i will need one.

Any other help?:lol:
 
High Time 420

High Time 420

Well-Known Member
cazador said:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43060

You need a potentiometer and rectifier. but for $14.99 I'd think of a different DYI project.

http://www.harborfreight.com/manuals/43000-43999/43060.PDF
Click to expand...

Thanks for the help dude, 14.99 is a little costly though.

Basically, i have a large in line fan that i want to run in a small area, so i don't want it running on full speed, only half would do.

How can i get the fan running at half speed, it's currently on 230v.

thanks for the help peeps.
 
patlpp

patlpp

New Member
You need to place a rheostat in series with your AC of the fan. The same thing is accomplished with a light dimmer switch you can get at lowes or HD. However, these are usually of low current capability of under 100 watts (If they are higher of course they cost more) The 300 + CFM fans can run over 100 watts so be careful. Don't buy an under-rated dimmer switch.
The previous poster is correct in saying it's better to just buy one. This is one DIY that, unless you're electrically inclined, is dangerous. Also, the price of a good dimmer is that of the referenced dimmer from HTG (which by the way is an excellent product)
 
patlpp

patlpp

New Member
High Time 420 said:
the fan uses 50w, would a light dimmer do what i want?

I just want it running at half speed.



+reps peeps
Click to expand...

light dimmer for 50 watts is fine. I thought you may have had a big one and didn't want u to fry!!!
Get the highest wattage one that u can over 75 watts
 
High Time 420

High Time 420

Well-Known Member
Ok, i have a light dimmer in my hand now which i rated 100w.

So this will work, i'l just wire it up like you do lights?

I was told a dimmer would not work, i know know why.


Peace
 
herbose

herbose

Well-Known Member
If you're in the states a 220v outlet has two 110v leads, disconnect one and you're socket will be 110v and the fan will run at half speed. You can kill yourself doing this so get someone with experience if you don't have any. If you do this make sure the circuitbreaker is OFF.
 
High Time 420

High Time 420

Well-Known Member
herbose said:
If you're in the states a 220v outlet has two 110v leads, disconnect one and you're socket will be 110v and the fan will run at half speed. You can kill yourself doing this so get someone with experience if you don't have any. If you do this make sure the circuitbreaker is OFF.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the help but i'm in the uk with 240v.
 
patlpp

patlpp

New Member
High Time 420 said:
Ok, i have a light dimmer in my hand now which i rated 100w.

So this will work, i'l just wire it up like you do lights?

I was told a dimmer would not work, i know know why.


Peace
Click to expand...
I don't see why not unless you have a fan that must run at 50hz. (Inductive) which I can't see you having. Go to this thread:
https://www.rollitup.org/grow-room-design-setup/181708-experienced-electrician-here-answer-any.html for more opinions. Thats all the HTG dimmer is...a dimmer but rated to work with big fans, 6 and 8" ones.....
 
Teach a man to fish...

Teach a man to fish...

Member
Hi HT and others,

I am using some dimmer switches on my 6 inch 40w inlines right now and i dont think they work well.. It seems like I can only get to 2 or 3 speeds with them, even though its a twist dial. as a result of this I looked it up.

It seems like there are two kinds of dimmers, new and old. Old ones are, as mentioned, basically just a potentiometer and would get your job done. But new ones rapidly turn the light (or in this case your fan) off at a variable rate to achieve the dimming afffect. This is to save energy lost to the potentiometer and is why you can't use dimmers with CFL's.

I've recently ordered better fans and a real fan controller. I hope this helps.. for more info check http://home.howstuffworks.com/dimmer-switch.htm

PEACE
 
kingpapawawa

kingpapawawa

Well-Known Member
High Time 420 said:
14.99 is a little costly though.
Click to expand...
your joking right? if 14.99 is too costly.... i think even the cheapest DIY dimmer would cost $10 but if u really wanna do it here u go...

Black o--------------------------------+--------+
| |
| | |
R1 \ | |
185 K /<-+ |
\ v CW |
| __|__ TH1
| _\/\_ Q2008LT
+---|>| / |
| |<|--' |
C1 _|_ Diac |
.1 uF --- (part of |
S1 | TH1) |
Black o------/ ---------------------+-----------+

C1 100 nF 100V
R1 185 kohm linear potentiometer
TH1 Q2008LT (200V 8A triac with built-in diac in TO220 case)
 
High Time 420

High Time 420

Well-Known Member
kingpapawawa said:
your joking right? if 14.99 is too costly.... i think even the cheapest DIY dimmer would cost $10 but if u really wanna do it here u go...

Black o--------------------------------+--------+
| |
| | |
R1 \ | |
185 K /<-+ |
\ v CW |
| __|__ TH1
| _\/\_ Q2008LT
+---|>| / |
| |<|--' |
C1 _|_ Diac |
.1 uF --- (part of |
S1 | TH1) |
Black o------/ ---------------------+-----------+

C1 100 nF 100V
R1 185 kohm linear potentiometer
TH1 Q2008LT (200V 8A triac with built-in diac in TO220 case)
Click to expand...
Yeah, like i said 14.99 is too costly for a diy project when you can get controllers from hydro shops for 20.00.

So, what is this shit you have posted in my thread? Was it meant to help me because it hasn't, maybe you should of explained what the jargon meant.

Anyway, i have wired a dimmer up to the fan and can control as i want to.
 
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