Dimmer switch for fan speed control?

[Bree1978]

Can I use a light dimmer switch on my fan? They are rated 120V, and for 600-800w (fans are only like 80w right?)... I'm going to be plugging/wiring my fan into where an old fluff fan used to be, and I was hoping to wire a dimmer switch to it, to control speed (where currently there is a light switch). For all you electrical guru's, is there any modifying I need to do to the switch?
I could buy the ones that they sell at garden stores, but they are three times the price.

Thanks, :jointsmile: Bree

[trynagethigh]

Bree thats exactly what i am going to do. first thing im gonna have to do is check the amperage draw for a light as in reference to what a fan pulls in amps. if the amps are below what the dimmer can handle it should be good.i think i would probably go with a dimmer for a ceiling fan though seeing that they are built for dimming a motor instead of lights. dont know if it makes a difference but it sounds logical to me...LOL. any electricians out there help us out.

:jointsmile: nothing like a wake and bake, whew!

[dusto2k3]

my buddy said you can do that. He's an electrician. If you look at the post i put up about Fan Wiring, you will see.

[Bree1978]

Well the ones i saw that were for ceiling fans were like 1.5 amps....I believe you need at least 3-5 amps, right? That is why I was asking about the light dimmer switch. If you find a fan one that is more 3, let me know.

Anyone else have experience with this?

[Bree1978]

Okay dusto, I'll look up the fan wiring right now!!! Thank you.

[dusto2k3]

It's a smallewr fan, and it has only two non polarity leads coming from it.

[Bree1978]

I'm getting to get a vortex 449CFM. Wire that to where the fart fan is now (unused bathroom) then wire the dimmer switch to my existing light switch-which is obviously already tied into the fan. Sound good? And as long as it is 120V for the dimmer, I shouldn't burn out my fan correct?

Bree

[dusto2k3]

I don't think you could even burn out your fan. I think if anything you would destroy the switch (copassitor or whatever) All it is doing is limiting the output. I think you would have to overload the fan to hurt it, which the switch cannot do.

[Bree1978]

Okay, that is awesome! I must be easily amused....Thanks for your help!

:jointsmile: Bree

[dusto2k3]

you gotta put up your restults tho.

[Bree1978]

will do!

[dusto2k3]

i was looking and i see the 6" vortex uses about .87 amps, so should be no worries

[dusto2k3]

bree what happened?

[dusto2k3]

bump, i saw you here.

[Bree1978]

Oh yeah. My fan is coming in the mail on monday...then off to the home improvement store for the dimmer.

[Bree1978]

I'll post pics tonight of the fun things I have been doing to the room today, in prep for the fan.

[dusto2k3]

oh, OK. I thought you had that alreeady. LoL, i guess i will wait.

Pics./..lovely

[dusto2k3]

opps...

[Psycho4Bud]

TESTING

[Bree1978]

Well I got the fan.............it's freaking HUGE, now I know why you laughed at my old fluff fan! It is also MUCH louder than I'd hoped. But anyways....I thought I was going to be wiring this thing into the ceiling, but I now see it is just plug and play. Why the f' does it say fully speed controllable on the website??? Only if they put a speed controller in there???? I'm not one to rip apart new products under warranty and rewire them. Has anyone done this? Probably makes the warranty void, eh? Now I kinda wish that I had bought the 172cfm....But maybe I won't have to duct between the light and the fan....just attach the scrubber to the fan like you mentioned....F making the hood cooled....just slap some glass up in there...I'm a little disappointed as you can tell....


:jointsmile: Bree

[Bree1978]

Disregard last rant......someone nicely pointed out that it will still work the way I had hoped. fingers crossed...............

[JackdaWack]

well if all the electrical configurations match up you will be good,npot sure if u can burn out the fan by giving it less amperage but it probably just wont work properly, ever seen a fan or rather herd one that didnt move and sounded like buzzing. Also u can over heat your dimmer switch and make fires if not destroy it. So its dooable, but make sure you know what your doing and run it for a day while your home and watch the temps on the motor and the dimmer.

[Bree1978]

I did infact do this, but for some reason can't post pics in this section, or I'd show you. I ran it last night and no fires so far. I couldn't be happier with my decision. It really cuts down the noise and consumption of the fan. Let's not forget it was incredibly easy in my situation.


I'll be sure to post pics somewhere.


Happy Tokin' and Growin' :jointsmile: Bree

[sky valley]

I was told that you need to use " a solid state fan control" to control an inline fan, and Iam not sure if the dimmer switch's are? Can anybody add to this...please.

[Tokudai]

a dimmer switch is not a solid state control - its merely a rheostat. Jack is almost right (You'll actually have higher amperage and lower voltage), you will probably burn out the fan or the switch in short order using a dimmer switch

[Bree1978]

Sigh, I was all excited because I thought it was going good. Well, is there anything that I can buy at a home improvement store that would work? Or do I need to just buy one online? The cheapest I've seen is 22.00 (plus ship and tx there for me)


I wish you would have seen the thread earlier....!

Thanks, :jointsmile: Bree

[Tokudai]

22$ sounds pretty reasonable - I don't recall seeing them at home dePOT or Lowes. Maybe a store that had a bunch of ceiling fans - Light bulbs etc, lamps plus...It's kinda like trying to find a mogul socket in a store - only specialty shops will have them. Is there an HVAC contractor near you?

[Bree1978]

We have a lighting and ceiling fan fixture store, I'm thinking. What specifically am I looking for? What would it be called exactly?

Thanks,:jointsmile: Bree

[sky valley]

Just ask for a solid state fan control, an you can say it's for your booster fan that you are installing in your kitchen. you sould be able to get it at the store you mentioned above.