What is the best fan controller for my needs?

[caregiver420]

:rasta: **Warning - long winded post ahead, feel free to move on. ** :smokin:

I'm looking for a fan speed controller that lets you set temperature (and/or humidity) and it will adjust fan speed to move just enough air to maintain those settings.

I feel like the SMSCOM twin controller would be near to an ideal setup for me, but it appears to be a U.K. only device. I liked it because it never turns the fans completely off - it just tries to dial into a speed that maintains the temp you set it to. This would be good for me because I need my fans to help control odor as well. I can only imagine the additional hardware costs and power loss trying to convert (back and then forth) from U.S. to U.K. outlet and voltage setups.

Am I just failing to find a fan speed controller than runs off environmental probes like that? Does anyone here have some experience with this? I have run grows with nice expensive CO2 controllers that could turn purge fans on and off based on temp probe readings, but that is not really what I need right now. I'm looking for a fan speed controller, but want something a bit more intelligent than a dimmer switch.

Does such a solution exist? Anyone out there have any experience with these types of systems?

Eventually it will need to run an 11x15 room with three light environments in it; an open closet space with some LEDs and CFLs, a mylar tent with one 400watt light, and a mylar tent with two 400watt lights. This means that the temperature is going to be fluctuating in the whole room as some or all lights turn on or off in their respective light environments. All the big lights have tubular glass hoods and 6-inch ports. I need to finish designing and ordering the environmental system before things catch up to me, so to speak!

I can adjust the room's intake and exhaust between recycling air to/from the house or outside, depending on the season. I also have small osculating fans moving the air around inside the room. So far it is looking to be comprised of the following system of filter, fans (150-200 CFM models, most likely), and light hoods:

carbon filter -> light1 -> fan1 -> lights2&3 -> fan2 -> exhaust

Any ideas? Thanks for reading my long winded inquiry!!

caregiver420 Reviewed by caregiver420 on 01-01-2010. What is the best fan controller for my needs? :rasta: **Warning - long winded post ahead, feel free to move on. ** :smokin: I'm looking for a fan speed controller that lets you set temperature (and/or humidity) and it will adjust fan speed to move just enough air to maintain those settings. I feel like the SMSCOM twin controller would be near to an ideal setup for me, but it appears to be a U.K. only device. I liked it because it never turns the fans completely off - it just tries to dial into a speed that maintains the temp you set Rating: 5

[caregiver420]

Now I'm looking at the GroZone Temp 2V - seems to do what I wanted!

[redtails]

A solution that popped into my head is to get a proportional thermostat and hook it up...they are designed to heat/cool something continuously by adjusting voltage to maintain a set temp instead of on/off only operation.

Edit: Just checked out what you said you were looking at & it's the exact same thing only marketed specifically for fans...and not digital

[caregiver420]

I definitely thought about designing my own device, but had trouble finding a thermostat and rheostat combo that were calibrated to the right temp/voltages. I haven't ordered the 2V yet, so if anyone has any other ideas I'm still open to suggestions.