Fan Controle

[Matthew5664]

Do you think one of these could be 'modded' to controle PC cooling fans for MH's

Tempreture controler

Fopund some heavy duty temp controlers that are £70+ this one is £30.

The bigger one is 240 Vac 50Hz with a -/+1C with a high low on/off controler

but no sure about the smaller one might only be a variable speed?

 

[SkiFletch]

The smaller PC one would work great but remember its all 12VDC so you'd need a little plug-in wall transformer to power it. The unit probably powers the fans directly (12VDC fans as well).

 

[Matthew5664]

I'm in two minds at the mo because it's only variable speed control not thermostatic which is what I want.

 

[SkiFletch]

Why is thermostatic important to you? Automation?

 

[Matthew5664]

Got it in one! Plus thers not alot more to do build wise. Fin off the front add a Ca reactor the auto top ups done now and the lights so I'm just finding things to do and I want to do them right. Would rather have them controled this way then on a timer. If when I'm out and the G-friend opens a window that has a cool breeze the tank would reduce further in temp. If the fans where on a timer they wouldn't stop, however if they where thermostaticley controled it would allow for things like this. Being the tank is in a doble aspect room it can get alot of light = hot or alot of wind = cold.

 

[crazyelece]

From personall experience I would suggest this setup. Power your fans with your lights. When your lights are on your fans are on, simple and the best way to do it. Use a thermal control to turn your lights off if the temp gets too high. This way if a fan burns out you will know it. The simpler the better IME. Also we originally set my brother's hood up the way you are talking with a thermal control on the fans. There is nothing worse than listening to fans turn on and off. It is more noticeable than just letting them run all the time with the lights. You still have the emergency backup with this setup with less risk and like I said from experience I think it is the better option.

 

[Matthew5664]

I see what your saying Crazy keep it simple! But I don’t want the fans linked with the lights. There isn’t a temp problem on the cooler days. Think it hit 27.8C yesterday, witch I think is fine. I left the fans on the other day through the hot weather and the tank cooled to 23.4C witch I think is a little too cold. As you have said the lights and fans could be thermostatically controlled to turn off if the temp gets to high; however what happens at the other end of the scale when the tank gets too cold? You will then need a cut off (also thermostatically controlled) to kill the fans. In my opinion this is more complicated than just having the fans controlled to come on and go off at a cretin temp. As for the clicking on and off its only a micro-relay switch compared to the noise of any skimmer it will be insignificant.

 

[crazyelece]

Add a heater, it will never get too cold. A heater will also keep the temp more stable. Its not really a problem either way with those temps, the problem comes in when the temp swings too much too fast.