Slowing down speed on Pedestal fan?

[alecmcmahon]

So i've picked up the 30" harbor freight pedestal fan for my garage, seems pretty decent quality for the price.

My only gripe is that at it's slowest speed it's still pretty fast and loud. No doubt this sucker moves alot of air, but it'd be nice to be able to slow it down to about 20%-30% or so to still move air but be able to hear the person next to you.

Any options as far as cheap single phase VFDs or rheostat ?

http://www.harborfreight.com/30-inch-pedestal-shop-fan-47755.html

Thanks!

 

[Bert_]

As a rule VFD's will not work on single phase motors.

A rheostat is a resistive device, it's not something you would find in a line voltage circuit.

A fan speed control may work provided the motor is a shaded pole or PSC (permanent split capacitor) motor. You would also need to make sure it is large enough for the motor's current. This is not the same a dimmer.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

VFDs are for 3 phase motors. U cant use a VFD on a single phase motor.

Look for a fan speed controller that is HP rated for the same (1/2hp) as the motor.

Do not use a light dimmer as they are not rated for motors. I commonly see people using light dimmers not rated for motors on their ceiling fans and wonder why they failed.

EDIT: Bert beat me to it...

 

[manwithtools]

Actually there are single phase output VFD's. They are not common, they are not inexpensive and they may not work with the OP's fan motor - but they do exist.

Using single phase output, your motor may run hot at full load and may need to be de-rated. I would not recommend it as a solution for the OP, but here is a place to look:

https://www.wolfautomation.com/manufacturers/leeson

 

[American Locomotive]

Just buy a 2nd hand Variac/ Variable Autotransformer from e-bay. Powerstat is a common brand. A 10 amp one should do.

 

[alecmcmahon]

should something like this work then?

https://www.grainger.com/product/FANTECH-Speed-Control-15W819?s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/15W819_AS01?$smthumb$

 

[American Locomotive]

It may work, it really depends on the motor the fan has.

 

[Socket Pounder]

If it's a universal motor, use a router speed control. If an induction motor, learn to love it.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Put tape or other covering over the half of the back grill of the fan.

 

[Syberia]

If it's a universal motor, use a router speed control. If an induction motor, learn to love it.

I've never seen a fan that was not an induction motor. Universal would be way too loud.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[nsula_country]

Careful slowing it down too slow. Motor will get hot. This is due to motor will be under more load and motor isn't fan cooled. It relies on air moving from the fan for cooling.

CT