I just bought a new 18" box fan (Patton U2-1803), but the lowest of its
3 speeds is too fast and noisy. Would I be a'hurtin' the fan to throw a
variac betwixt outlet and fan and run it at lower voltage(?). I'm am
electronically challenged.

In article .com,
finding z0 wrote:
I just bought a new 18" box fan (Patton U2-1803), but the lowest of its
3 speeds is too fast and noisy. Would I be a'hurtin' the fan to throw a
variac betwixt outlet and fan and run it at lower voltage(?). I'm am
electronically challenged.

No problem at all, I do it regularly. Just use the highest speed switch
setting and reduce the voltage for your desired speed. Note that some
fan motors will hum when controlled in this way.

As an alternate method, get a fan speed control. Looks like a rotary
lamp dimmer. (DON'T use a lamp dimmer.) Remove the existing switch and
mount the fan dimmer in the same hole. Use the high speed wire from the
switch and tape the other(s). If this is beyond you get a geek to do
it for you. Advantage over the variac is convenience.

--
Rich Greenberg Marietta, GA, USA richgr atsign panix.com + 1 770 321 6507
Eastern time. N6LRT I speak for myself & my dogs only. VM'er since CP-67
Canines:Val, Red & Shasta (RIP),Red, husky Owner:Chinook-L
Atlanta Siberian Husky Rescue. www.panix.com/~richgr/ Asst Owner:Sibernet-L

thanks Rich for the prompt reply. Where would I find a fan speed ctl?
The large HW chains? Or Radio Shack? I'm sure the switch is much
lighter than the Variac i have in mind.

finding z0 wrote:
thanks Rich for the prompt reply. Where would I find a fan speed ctl?
The large HW chains? Or Radio Shack? I'm sure the switch is much
lighter than the Variac i have in mind.


Some devices work by reducing the voltage by bleeding the current across
a seperate device. IN this case the same wattage is burned off no
matter what speed. Others reduce the voltage in a more spohisticated
way. I think the fan controller will probably do it right. But you can
only be certain if you buy it in Home Depot or the like. Buying it in
radio shack means you have to know what your looking for.

--
Respectfully,


CL Gilbert

In article .com,
finding z0 wrote:
thanks Rich for the prompt reply. Where would I find a fan speed ctl?
The large HW chains? Or Radio Shack? I'm sure the switch is much
lighter than the Variac i have in mind.

Go to a large hardware store or home depot's electrical dept and ask for
one.

BUT

If you are not comfortable opening up the fan and replacing the switch
with the fan control, stick with the Variac.

--
Rich Greenberg Marietta, GA, USA richgr atsign panix.com + 1 770 321 6507
Eastern time. N6LRT I speak for myself & my dogs only. VM'er since CP-67
Canines:Val, Red & Shasta (RIP),Red, husky Owner:Chinook-L
Atlanta Siberian Husky Rescue. www.panix.com/~richgr/ Asst Owner:Sibernet-L