The Quest for a Speed Controller that does NOT make the Fan HUM/BUZZ

[Earthling]

The saga continues....

 

Have tried 4 different speed controllers and the only one that emits a next to no audible hum/buzz/NOISE is a 3 Speed Fan Controller. A DETA Model 6141 Max rating 150watt from Burunnings.

From my research it seems to be compatible 'motor to fan controller' wise, but I am no techie and I would love a Tech/Electrical Engineer to confirm a 3 speed is ok for a Westaflex 10" Centrifugal.

 

Having said that this particular 3 speed runs much tooo slow.

Speed 3 (Low) I can blow harder...you know what I mean...

Speed 2 (Med) It blows harder than me...but not much

Speed 1 (High) Is flat out

 

Is there someone or a link or a wee bit of knowledge that points me to a 3 Speed Fan Controller that doesn't create the noise, but also has better speeds?

I remember reading something on this ages ago but I cannot find it or remember the answer...woe is me...

 

Any Knowledge out there in the world wide web?

 

PS At this stage I'm cheap, so no Variac for me...and I tried the 2032 Fan Controller mentioned in the self build...

[itchybromusic]

Not a lecky mate but do westaflex have speed controllers for there fans 

[Frank Reynolds]

Yep i'm soon onna be upgrading my Fan to one of the new Canfans with in built controller.

 

I am running a 125mm canfan atm but I will upgrade to a 250mm which is overkill, so I can turn it down to Low and have it still move enough air.

[Earthling]

Not a lecky mate but do westaflex have speed controllers for there fans 

 

Yes you can actually buy a Speed Controller from Westaflex. Unfortunately its just a standard issue Burpunnings variable Fan Controller which still makes the hum/buzz noise. They could not recommend anything...go figure.

[Earthling]

Yep i'm soon onna be upgrading my Fan to one of the new Canfans with in built controller.

 

I am running a 125mm canfan atm but I will upgrade to a 250mm which is overkill, so I can turn it down to Low and have it still move enough air.

 

 

Yeah, that's the go. I bought a 250mm, waaaay overkill for my setup, but bought it on the recommendation that you get a speed controller and turn it down low = STEALTH. What all the info failed to tell me is that aftermarket speed controllers make so much noise the stealth option goes out the window.

 

Westaflex also make a range which have inbuilt speed controllers, the EC range, but they cost much more...funny how they don't make the controllers as a stand alone unit...Grrrrrrr.

 

Looking for a cheap option...so far the cheapest is to go and buy a few different wattage 3 speed controllers and test them all....I'm surprised no one has done this before though....anyone?

[K-9]

I have zero electrical knowledge so take this with the bag of gains of salt an admittedly unknowledgable internet post should bring with it but I believe that there are two ways of controlling the speed, reducing the total power supply and pulsing it.  Some fans and speed controllers will obviously work better together than others so test everything out if you can or buy a fan with a controller already built in because at least then you'll know that everything works perfectly before parting with a substantial amount of cash.

[wayno86]

hey there..

I am a licensed sparky, but that does not mean i know all the answers...

In my experience, all motor speed controllers, even large industrial VSD (variable speed drives), will make the humming/buzzing, there is no way around it.. If you must use a speed controller, do not run fans at any less than 30% power, as this will cause your fans to burn out much quicker....

 

 If you need to dial back your fan speed for noise reasons, consider using silencing techniques on your fan and ducting. the majority of noise generated is by the sound of air moving, which is easier to mask than electrical humming..

There are a few posts around here explaining how to silence your operation, from building soundproof boxes for your fans with eggcartons, carpets, matting, etc.. also consider acoustic ducting (duct wrapped in insulation) or DIY

 

My fans used to run on a fan speed controller,set at about 50%, but the humming was too loud... I now run a carbon filter, which also acts as a silencer, through 200mm ducting wrapped in ceiling/wall insulation, with a 200mm centrifugal fan in a box lined with eggcartons and carpet = much quieter operation   

 

If you do not know what you are doing, do not fuck with electricity, it can and will kill you or someone else, or burn your house down

hope this helps 

 

 

wayno  

[Earthling]

Cheers K-9 and Wayno. Yes I've seen most of the threads here and Cannaversity and other sites on how to reduce the noise and have been implementing many of them, tis good. However, it is way to much air moved for good temperature control in the grow rooms, noise or no noise. And at the end of the day, all the other measures will not reduce the noise enough...unless I spend lots of money....'stealth' is the word of the year.

Re Speed Controllers: as mentioned in my original post I have found a speed controller that creates next to no audible hum/buzz/NOISE. This being a 3 Speed Fan Controller. A DETA Model 6141 Max rating 150watt from Burunnings.
Problem is it runs muuuuuch to slow and I need one that runs a bit faster at low to medium speeds.  I am hoping someone has experience finding something that actually works.
 
Update to a wonderful page I was trying to find:
http://www.fancollectors.org/info/speed.htm

 

The De-Hummer Control is the one I have had success with (3 Speed Fan Control).

 

Time to take apart the sound box around the Westaflex fan and see what size capacitor she has...

Edited June 29, 2014 by Earthling

[wayno86]

if you are really struggling with airflow to manage temps, maybe buy a smaller fan?

 

edit:

do not pull apart the box and fuck around with anything you find in there! it is the ballast itself that hums, the capacitor is there for power factor correction only       

Edited June 29, 2014 by wayno86

[Earthling]

if you are really struggling with airflow to manage temps, maybe buy a smaller fan?

 

edit:

do not pull apart the box and fuck around with anything you find in there! it is the ballast itself that hums, the capacitor is there for power factor correction only       

 

 

Re Edit: The box is one of the many soundproofing measures that I have put in place...the 16mm Chipboard box crammed with insulation surrounding the Westaflex. So I pulled it apart

 

Most fans, even though they are smaller, still make close to as much noise as larger fans, db wise...albeit, so the story goes in the forums...

 

Or is it like the friggin story that says "If stealth is your concern, buy a bigger fan and get a controller to reduce the flow and you will have less noise."

 

Regarding electrical safety, I have worked with Electricians and have wired up numerous rooms in my houses...safely too So I am comfortable wiring in a Fan Controller....But Shhhhh....don't tell anyone....

 

Wayno perhaps you can help with dechipering the gumbleda and tell me what I need to find

That link says:

 The capacitance values in the de-hummer and the motor must be pretty well matched to get the results you desire.... (They were made for ceiling fan motors with lots of poles and momentum) Too small a capacitance and motor might not start turning on its own. Too much cap. and fan runs too fast at the controls lowest setting. Too big, or powerful a motor, and maybe only one or two slower speeds will keep fan running. A too small, efficient motor and maybe the lowest speed is still too fast. A capacitor type control is very efficient if properly matched to the motor.

 

I have attached photos of the Fan and the Controller. The Controllers max Rating is 150watt, the Westaflex is 80watt from what I an find on the WWW. So which part Capacitor or Wattage(if that's what they mean by power/big) is not matching? As to be honest...I have noooo idea

Edited June 29, 2014 by Earthling