Can a dimmer switch be used on a standard box fan ?
I need the fan to turn very very slowly. Much more slowly than the ‘slow speed setting’.
Yet I still want to be able to turn it up faster.
Yeah, it may be cold, but at least it’s a wet cold !
Can a dimmer switch be used on a standard box fan ?
I need the fan to turn very very slowly. Much more slowly than the ‘slow speed setting’.
Yet I still want to be able to turn it up faster.
Yeah, it may be cold, but at least it’s a wet cold !
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Replies
I believe you need a solid state speed control - like what's used on a ceiling fan.
Have you tried sticking your tongue in it? That'll slow it down......
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http://grantlogan.net/
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete (I am so in love with myself) Draganic
The ones made for fans all seem to have only three speeds.I want infinite control, so I can have it at it's highest speed when I want. And can have it just barely moving air at all, when I want.
Yeah, it may be cold, but at least it's a wet cold !
My ceiling fans have 3 speed controls on the fan, but I have a solid state spped control on the wall. So, that gives me 3 ranges.http://grantlogan.net/
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete (I am so in love with myself) Draganic
3 ranges ?So the slider type control, that says it has three speeds, really means three 'ranges', and you can turn it lower than the low speed that a box fan already has ?Remember we're talking about a box fan. Not a ceiling fan. It already has high, med and low speeds.I just want to be able to turn it really low. And since the reaso is because of noise, then yes, a humming dimmer switch would have been a real pain in the er... neck. ;o) Glad youns pointed that out.
Yeah, it may be cold, but at least it's a wet cold !
The fan has three speeds - box or ceiling. You add a speed control to it and it will have three ranges. The speed control will go in the cord to the fan.http://grantlogan.net/
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete (I am so in love with myself) Draganic
Why not get on of those controllers they sell to plug routers into? Then you can use it for other devices as well. My only concern would be that if you try to set it below the stall speed of the fan (you mentioned "barely moving air") that you will burn out both the fan and perhaps the controller (I think ;) ).
PaulB
This is the better pic. icanhascheezburger.com
Ductape can fix EVERYTHING!!!
Yeah, like seeyou said ... a switch made specifically for fan control. A regular light dimmer switch will cause a humming noise that will drive you insane!!
I have a speed control for tools in the shop. That should do it. Most tool suppliers have these.
There are some very real reasons why you don't easily find the sort of control you seek. The short version is ... simple doesn't work. Period.
A motor's speed is determined by the cycles of your AC power. That's the first hurdle. You won't change the speed by varying the volts,or limiting the amps, or anything else. Well, that's not entirely correct .... choke them down enough, and you'll see a sudden drop in fan performance. You'll also fry the motor, as it will overheat.
"Motor" dimmers have electronics that try to fool the motor into thinking that the cycles have changed .... which is why they have 'steps,' rather than a variable range.
Still, though, the motor needs a big rush of power to get started ... which is why 'motor' dimmers have 'high' speed first - the opposite of lighting dimmers.
The little speed controls you see sold for routers, etc., are intended for a different type of motor than that used by the fan, and won't work.
What you are left with is the most expensive version out there ... the 'variable frequency drive.' These devices convert the power into whatever cycles you want - giving you the speed control you need - as well as providing the motor with the power it needs to work.
All said, you're probably better off controlling your air flow the old-fashioned way ... by controlling the AIR. Try limiting the air the fan can draw in.
Thanks all.It sounds like it is pretty much as I suspected.I asked, because I hoped someone had come up with a solution made for this.Thanks again.
Yeah, it may be cold, but at least it's a wet cold !
here ..http://www.passandseymour.com/pdf/M20.pdf8 Amps is overkill for a box fan but ..also you are noy supposed to wire dimmers or such things to anything that is not permanently wired.but it is your house J
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Very cool !!Thank you.I'm trying to find one now.I hope it doesn't cost an arm and a leg..."..also you are noy supposed to wire dimmers or such things to anything that is not permanently wired."Ok. I'll wire it to a permanently wired outlet. Then plug the fan into that. ;o)
Yeah, it may be cold, but at least it's a wet cold !