Turned on Duct Fan and Tent began to Reek! Help!

I just set-up my tent this evening, and although I didn't have anything to hang my duct fan with, I wanted to get it running because I have 5 sprouts waiting for the MH light.

Anyway, I hung the light with hooks and chains, taped insulated ducting to the hood and then taped it to my TD150 fan. And then I taped a smaller piece of insulated ducting to the other side of the fan and then taped it to a flange in the tent.

It wasn't a great set-up but it was only going to be temporary until I got bungees to hang the fan tomorrow. And everything seemed fine until I turned on the fan...suddenly the inside of the tent began to reek of a foreign smell(I don't want to try to describe it because I know I can't accurately; i haven't smelt this before).

Before turning off the fan I checked to see if the smell was coming out the vent but it wasn't. It seemed to be mostly inside the tent. EVen now, five minutes later, my room still smells like it. Could I have messed up the fan's wiring? What is this odor?

Ok, I just read the flexible ducting package and it has a warning on the side about it containing fiber glass wool...it says inhalation could cause cancer...could this be the cause of the noxiuous gas?

It's still lingering in my room and I have a bad sense of smell

Actually, now when I sniff around the vent, there is a strong odor sitting inside...I guess I'll have to tear off the ducting and see whats going on...does it normally contain fiber glass wool? I got it from home depot so I just assumed it was the basic stuff

They wouldnt put a warning on the pack for shits and giggles. Stop, get a face mask, resume.

lol.. Its called "insulated ducting".

Resume what though? If I left that fan on, the smell was going to get out of control. After taking the ducting apart most of the odor seems to be coming from the exhaust end of the duct fan.

I'm thinking I may have messed up by taping the ducting directly to the fan instead of placing a connection inbetween, because I'm pretty sure the wiring is fine

420OldSchoolDJ420 said:

lol.. Its called "insulated ducting".

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So I should have just gotten the reggie? I found an article that talks about ammonia and formaldehyde being emitted by insulated ducting when it isn't sealed up well, so I'm thinking that may have been the culprit. I was just cutting and pasting that shit with no regard for toxic gases.

I wouldn't have used insulated ducting. All your doing is moving air.

I would also double check the fan for "Remove this before running" stickers or plastic.

Resume doing anything to do with the ducting, the point is get some freakin PPE.

Rejeckted said:

I wouldn't have used insulated ducting. All your doing is moving air.

I would also double check the fan for "Remove this before running" stickers or plastic.

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I checked the fan by running it for a few minutes by itself, and the smell returned...I even saw some smoke come out of the internal motor. It's a TD-150 brand new. I'm just noticing that the extension cord I'm using, which is 13 Amps, is UL listed for outdoor appliances. Not sure if that matters.

if there is smoke coming out of your fan then the fan is bad.

yeh fan is wasted.smoke is not good.
dont use the insulated flexi duct on your air intake line unless u running through a filter box which is just more gear so id just get some normal flex

Yikes, smoke huh?

I would run it away from the grow area for a bit. Maybe the smoke/smell will go away after a while. I would also maybe call the place you purchased it from and tell them about the smoke. Maybe they will replace it. I bought a crappy 8" duct fan for $40 and i've been running it non stop since about july with no issues. Thing only cost me $40. No fan should ever shoot smoke lol. Good luck my friend!

Rejeckted said:

Yikes, . No fan should ever shoot smoke lol. Good luck my friend!

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Thanks, buddy and you are right...no fan should shoot smoke!

Stupid stoner + easy electric work = smoke coming out of fan + loss of money

The lesson here is that this fan has two (2) speeds...so if your extension cord has three (3) prongs, don't be stupid like me...

I'm gonna see how flexible that warranty is and then maybe I'll update this thread.

its gonna b ur wiring mate have u opened it up 2 see ?

jaybee007 said:

its gonna b ur wiring mate have u opened it up 2 see ?

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Yep, , could have used you 11 days ago...third time turning it on was not a charm in this case...

On the positive side, the new fan is running great...live and learn i guess...

lol i only know coz i did the same thing like u said live and u learn ;o)
thanx 4 the rep

and good luck with the rest of ur grow