I just grabbed a shiny new Vortex fan for a KILLER deal, and the speed dial I have still runs it more than I need at its lowest setting. So I started thinking about a way to fix it…
Anyone have experience using a standard dial dimmer (home depot special) for this? As long as it’s rated to handle the power I should be good right? I figured I could wire it up to a double gang box with the dimmer on one side and an outlet on the other. This should give me better granular control with a wider range of voltages, I would think.
Generally it’s not recommended to use a standard triac-style lamp dimmer to run a motor. Technically it would probably work but it’s likely to make a noise much louder than the blower itself.
Using a dimmer can shorten the life of or damage your fan.
That said I used a store bought fan controller aka a dimmer for a few years and saw no issues.
Try not to let the voltage drop too low, I think that is what causes the issues.
I made myself a reusable trellis out of 3/4 inch pvc and designed it to push the tent walls out about the same as a high cfm kit would, also plastic hangers stuck in the corners behind the poles gives a little more space too.
Just got the 4 inch vortex with a second 2x4 tent, other has a 6 inch variable speed ac infinity “booster fan” that runs just under medium.
Low on the new 4 inch is like 5x as strong as high on the 6inch. I could ventilate an entire room with this thing, definitely need a more varied speed controller more than a high cfm kit, but thanks for the tip!
I also saw someone use some small pieces of wood and they used a drill bit the size of the tent poles, and cut right on the hole so the half holes fit nice and snug on the tent poles to hold the wood in place
