Variable Speed Control

hardcoal · Post by **hardcoal** » Fri. Oct. 25, 2013 11:25 pm

Just about time to set up my Kodiak Hand Fired Gravity Fed Coal Stove for supplementary basement heat. Purchased a dual cage Kodiak H F Blower to mount on the stove. Question - Is there some type of speed control/or method that I can use on the blower to be able to vary the speed and/or turn it off without unplugging it when not in use? Just a thought! I believe the blower has an induction type motor. Not sure if a small AC/DC controller would work, dimmer switch, etc.

What say ye? Any an all suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thank you very much & keep warm. HC

top top · Post by **top top** » Sun. Oct. 27, 2013 11:52 am

I called Alaska with questions about the Kodiac. Very nice people, BTW. Couldn't have been more helpful. They sell a speed controller for their fan. I think he said $50 plus shipping. He said it was a rheostat, so I imagine you could build your own for less. Not sure how many watts the fan draws. I would be interested in what you do.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sun. Oct. 27, 2013 3:17 pm

Bought this one yrs ago from Elec outlet store or on line--I'm old---I forget

Not sure of price but It's a good unit--plug into wall outlet & then plug stove in. Five yrs & she still works just fine:)

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Sun. Oct. 27, 2013 8:37 pm

Just be sure to size control so amp rating is big enough to handle the motor amps.

Fasco Blower Wiring?

rberq · Post by **rberq** » Sun. Oct. 27, 2013 8:49 pm

I bought a simple rheostat from Home Depot, same as you would use for light dimming. It worked fine. I was careful not to turn it so far down that the fan stopped entirely, but I could run it pretty low. Turn it all the way counter-clockwise and it clicked off. I installed it in a standard two-gang box, rheostat on one side and the controlled outlet on the other, plugged the fan into the controlled outlet.

I tried a much-more-expensive router speed control from a woodworking catalog, which contained a circuit board and did not work at all with my fan. There must be some electrical / motor principle that explains why, but you'll never get it out of me!

Ed.A · Post by **Ed.A** » Mon. Oct. 28, 2013 5:23 am

This what I got last year, works great.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Router-Variable-Speed-Con ... 53ffa778f5

Beeman · Post by **Beeman** » Mon. Oct. 28, 2013 6:30 am

Been using these for years. Work well. Available from many vendors. http://www.amazon.com/Sunlight-Supply-Dial-A-Temp ... B002U0X86Q

Post by **dcrane** » Mon. Oct. 28, 2013 7:55 am

I have seen many times where folks use those $14.95 home depot variable speed controls (used for lighting often) and they to work! (I'd just keep it as far from the heat as possible).

waldo lemieux · Post by **waldo lemieux** » Mon. Oct. 28, 2013 8:33 am

freetown fred wrote:Bought this one yrs ago from Elec outlet store or on line--I'm old---I forget Not sure of price but It's a good unit--plug into wall outlet & then plug stove in. Five yrs & she still works just fine:)

Fred,
It appears you crossed "fix wall" off the ole "to do list" a tad prematurely. It happens to me routinely, but my spousal unit is always at the ready to remind me what I must have merely "forgot" to do. I know from your previous posts about your spousal situation and bein' the kind citizen I am ,I thought Id just mention it

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Mon. Oct. 28, 2013 9:05 am

Spousal unit took the money I'd set aside for that repair plus everything else but my balls. At least her name is off the deed:) It still remains on my--we'll get to it list

waldo lemieux · Post by **waldo lemieux** » Mon. Oct. 28, 2013 9:08 am

the snowman · Post by **the snowman** » Mon. Oct. 28, 2013 11:36 am

The router control units are meant to control motors with brushes not a brushless motor as most small fan motors tend to be brushless. I have made and used a rheostat on a gang box with an outlet on one side, however, I found when controlling a fan motor the slower you set the rheostat the more touchy it became. I also didn't like the over all size of the unit. The dial a temp units work very well. Just plug the fan in the unit and plug the unit into an outlet, turn the dial to desired fan speed. The dial a temp units work well on all brushless motors. The dial a temp units also have an off position so you do not have to unplug the fan to turn it off.

The snowman.

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » Mon. Oct. 28, 2013 12:22 pm

Beeman wrote:Been using these for years. Work well. Available from many vendors. http://www.amazon.com/Sunlight-Supply-Dial-A-Temp ... B002U0X86Q

That's what came with my new 50-93. Even on low the motor/blower unit is still spinning at a decent speed.

hardcoal · Post by **hardcoal** » Mon. Oct. 28, 2013 8:40 pm

Not sure how this will post on the forum but wanted to thank all that shared their expertise. I called Alaska today an was told that the blower is what they call a Shade-Pole design, if that makes sense/cents?? With all the scripture that was posted and the terrific information I decided to purchase a digital AC controller I saw posted on eBay and pretty sure it will perform with this blower.

I will just have to use a gang box I have to install the components. The dial a temp unit was perfect, but I'm rather thrifty and couldn't bring myself to spending for one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251346298490?ssPageName=S ... 1497.l2649 this is the link to the unit I purchased. Thought some of you may like to know what I came up with. Hope this helps?

Thank you all again. You not only helped me but I'm sure there are others that will benefit from our discussions. Kindest regards - HC

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Mon. Oct. 28, 2013 8:47 pm

That is exactly what I have recommended here a few times previously.
You will find it to do a very fine job for you.
If you need any assistance with how to wire it, just give a shout.

Variable Speed Control

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