CAN-FAN IS WORKING TOO GOOD!!

[yetibear]

Hi All, MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Well the temp in my tent never gets above 71, tent is downstairs where the temp in the house is lower (about 4-5 degrees) I keep the house at 70 when home and 64 at night and when away, my therms memory shows that the lowest temp so far was 61.4 and the highest temp was 78 (one day when the filter fan didn't kick on) but normally the temp is right around 70 give or take a degree! example right now the temp in the tent is 70.4 and outside the tent it's 65.8! I'm running a 600 watt hps (air cooled) and 1 4' t-5 in each corner of the tent.

Now here's my question, I would like the temp in the tent to run around 73-75 when lights are on, the night time temps aren't a worry. When the filter-fan (filter is inside tent) is not running the temp in the tent goes up dramatically! but then moister in the tent becomes an issue!!

I went to my local supply store and they sold me a "speed controller" which I was told would work but when it's set on the lowest setting it wont kick on when the timer turns on my system! I have to actually turn the knob on the controller to kick the can-fan on? I asked the supply store and was told that it (the controller) has to have a certain amount of amps or something to kick on the can-fan?? and told me not to set it at the low setting but more like half way! but at that setting it doesn't allow enough heat to build up inside the tent! any suggestions? thank you.

yetibear Reviewed by yetibear on 12-25-2010. CAN-FAN IS WORKING TOO GOOD!! Hi All, MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Well the temp in my tent never gets above 71, tent is downstairs where the temp in the house is lower (about 4-5 degrees) I keep the house at 70 when home and 64 at night and when away, my therms memory shows that the lowest temp so far was 61.4 and the highest temp was 78 (one day when the filter fan didn't kick on) but normally the temp is right around 70 give or take a degree! example right now the temp in the tent is 70.4 and outside the tent it's 65.8! I'm running Rating: 5

[EvilCartman]

I went to my local supply store and they sold me a "speed controller" which I was told would work but when it's set on the lowest setting it wont kick on when the timer turns on my system! I have to actually turn the knob on the controller to kick the can-fan on? I asked the supply store and was told that it (the controller) has to have a certain amount of amps or something to kick on the can-fan?? and told me not to set it at the low setting but more like half way! but at that setting it doesn't allow enough heat to build up inside the tent! any suggestions? thank you.

Couple questions come to mind.

How big is the tent?
How big is the fan?
Is there one fan, or two? (not counting circulation fans, just exhaust)
What type of speed controller is being used?
How is the airflow being routed? Are the tent-air and light-air on two separate circuits?

I've never had a problem with a speed controller_not_turning over a fan, even on the lowest setting. If you have a proper speed controller and everything else is in order, the quickest fix may be a simple baffle to limit/control the airflow.

*Merry Christmas*

[WashougalWonder]

Didn't I just answer this or am I so blown away by this awesome bud that I not post?????

[EvilCartman]

Didn't I just answer this or am I so blown away by this awesome bud that I not post?????

Haha, You did!

It's posted all-over,... about 4 times.

Although, that's not sayin' the "awesome bud" doesn't have *something* to do with it!

*Merry Christmas*

[GaGrown]

Hi All, MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Well the temp in my tent never gets above 71, tent is downstairs where the temp in the house is lower (about 4-5 degrees) I keep the house at 70 when home and 64 at night and when away, my therms memory shows that the lowest temp so far was 61.4 and the highest temp was 78 (one day when the filter fan didn't kick on) but normally the temp is right around 70 give or take a degree! example right now the temp in the tent is 70.4 and outside the tent it's 65.8! I'm running a 600 watt hps (air cooled) and 1 4' t-5 in each corner of the tent.

Now here's my question, I would like the temp in the tent to run around 73-75 when lights are on, the night time temps aren't a worry. When the filter-fan (filter is inside tent) is not running the temp in the tent goes up dramatically! but then moister in the tent becomes an issue!!

I went to my local supply store and they sold me a "speed controller" which I was told would work but when it's set on the lowest setting it wont kick on when the timer turns on my system! I have to actually turn the knob on the controller to kick the can-fan on? I asked the supply store and was told that it (the controller) has to have a certain amount of amps or something to kick on the can-fan?? and told me not to set it at the low setting but more like half way! but at that setting it doesn't allow enough heat to build up inside the tent! any suggestions? thank you.

What I think they sold you was a dimmer switch. Not the same as a whole house fan speed controller. That would be the issue with not starting a fan.. Check out what you have as far as watt control on the back of the switch.Should match starting amp of fan at lowest setting..

[scrumby]

You should post the exact specs for the fan you have, but GaGrown is right the motor needs a minimal amount of power to make the initial turnover happen. Your ultimate solution would be a variable-frequency drive.

YouTube - TEMCo How To: AC 120v Single Phase to 230v Three Phase VFD

I have the same issue, but in a 12v scenario. I'm going to experiment with using a timer that would run at full power for a few seconds then switch off leaving the regulated power to run the motor.

[scrogmcduck]

GA Grown has it...

$20.. router controller.. gottem usem.. theyre easy & cheap.
Router Speed Control