Dividedsky
Well-Known Member
Does a fan speed controller lower the amount of watts used? Say if my inline fan uses 200w, if I plug it in a fan speed controller and put it on low, would it use less watts?
Fan speed controller ?
- Thread starter Dividedsky
- Start date
Jussblaz3420
Well-Known Member
Si i believe so my friend
weedenhanced
Well-Known Member
Yes its like a dimmer
xwant2LeaRNx
Well-Known Member
its pulling the same wattage to run. a light dimmer may dim the light but if theres a 70 watt bulb on the dimmer its still pulling 70 watts.
Graffix
Active Member
I just got one online last week and I'm not happy for when its active I get a hum noise from my 83w 6 inch inline fan motor. Until I move my tent or try another inline fan I don't even use it. It could just be my fan but I don't care to buy another one a bit better to find out.
I don't even think it dropped the fan speed by 50% , was still noiser than I wanted even with a duct muffler, c filter and set at slowest setting ignoring the hum it was still too noisy/fast for what I was hoping for. I might try reading into diy muffling honeycomb cardboard or something in my ducting to muffle the intake/noise of fan since its on 100%
I don't even think it dropped the fan speed by 50% , was still noiser than I wanted even with a duct muffler, c filter and set at slowest setting ignoring the hum it was still too noisy/fast for what I was hoping for. I might try reading into diy muffling honeycomb cardboard or something in my ducting to muffle the intake/noise of fan since its on 100%
m3d1c1n3man
Well-Known Member
it will use less watts. what that guy said about a 70 watt bulb is false. if the bulb was pulling 70 watts it would not be dimmed would it?
Dividedsky
Well-Known Member
83 w inline fan! that's some low wattage. What brand is it?
xwant2LeaRNx
Well-Known Member
sorry i was thinking about my ballast. they are 1000 watt and dim to 600 but they still use 1000 watts on the 600 watt setting. So no im not 100% positive on a speed controller. probably uses same amperage but pulls less watts
auswolf
Well-Known Member
No when you dim a 1000w to 600w it will use 600w plus loses.
Graffix
Active Member
Some generic brand, but it shits all over my other inline fan. Got this one when I got my muffler and c filter.
Here's the info on the fan
Key Features
*CE approved, Thermal and overload protection provides safe operation
*All materials used meet RoHS standard makes it environment-friendly
*Solid metal construction with zinc plated housing allows it Corrosion & Shock & Moisture resistant.
*Balanced ACmotor with permanently lubricated ball bearings keep powerfully and smoothly continuous running.
*Backward curved blade ensures low noise and high output
*Tape flange conveniently place the ducting on the blower and tape it in place
*Extended collar and lip for easy duct hook-up
*Suitable for domestic, commercial and industrial applications.
*1.85m power cord with AU standard 3-pin plug
Specification
Flange Diameter:6"
Volt Phase:220V/50HZ
Power Input:83W
Ampere: 0.38A
Revolution:2340RPM
Air Flow:325CFM
Noise:52db
I had bought my other fan locally and paid 125 for it while waiting for the above to arrive. The above was 99 and a lot stronger. Creates negative air pressure in my 1.2 x 1.2 x 2.1 tent.
Last edited:
xwant2LeaRNx
Well-Known Member
not my ballsast they still use a 1000 watt on 600 i called the manufacture. theres ballast out now that truelly dim there wattage. but not these purple ballast i have. the true dimming ballast just hit the market.
auswolf
Well-Known Member
Purple ballast sounds like a lumatek, and they will lower the wattage.
You do relize that if it was still drawing 1000w that energy would be giving off as heat
at the ballast. 400w of heat coming off the ballast would be like a heater.
xwant2LeaRNx
Well-Known Member
if your using a 120v cord on a 1000 watt lumatek ballast it pulls 1000 watts and uses about 9 amps. if your using a 220v cord on a 1000 watt lumatek ballast it pulls 1000 watts and uses 4.6 amps. If the ballast is dimmed its still consuming 1000 watts at your meter.
xwant2LeaRNx
Well-Known Member
Lumatek
Attachments
Sativied
Well-Known Member
Whether and how much a dimmer saves on watt usages for fans depends on the type of dimmer. Anyway, want something reliable and no humming? Get a variac: http://www.amazon.com/Variac-Variable-Transformer-300va-Output/dp/B006NGI8VS
Graffix
Active Member
Thanks, I'll hunt one down here hopefully. Reading reviews, no more hums
auswolf
Well-Known Member
Lol nope if it's dimmed it uses less power, I've measured the power at the socket using a lumatek 400w and it uses different amount of power on each setting.
Like I said before if your ballast was dissipating 400w of heat you could fry a egg off it.
Btw those fan controllers the op posted, yeah they blow chunks. I have a couple and they just sit in the cupboard.