Roger Borg Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 Looking for an inconspicuous way to lower line voltage to 104 for a centrifugal start fan. Is there anything small I can conceal in the base, or otherwise anything small I can put on the plug at the outlet? Short of the aforementioned, what types of variacs are recommended? Thanks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Stephens Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 (edited) You may get some information here Roger: https://earlyfans.blogspot.com/2011/02/powering-early-fans.html Edited July 4, 2022 by Steve Stephens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Borg Posted July 4, 2022 Author Share Posted July 4, 2022 I had read that previously, but was uncertain if anything akin to a bridge rectifier for DC fans, ie something small and inconspicuous, was commonly used for 104v. Thanks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 (edited) Edit: Roger, I removed what I posted after taking a closer look at shipping etc. Try searching the web for the best bang for your buck on a step down 120 VAC to 100-104 VAC 300+ watt transformer. Edited July 4, 2022 by Russ Huber 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 Bump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Borg Posted July 4, 2022 Author Share Posted July 4, 2022 Hey Russ- Thanks for the info, will do some homework after the holiday. Happy 4th... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 500-watt unit $56.45 - 200-watt unit $39.99. Amazon.com: VCT VT-500J - Japanese Step Up/Down Voltage Transformer Converts Japan 100 Volts To 110V OR Vice Versa - 500 Watt : Electronics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Andersen Posted July 5, 2022 Share Posted July 5, 2022 On 7/3/2022 at 9:43 PM, Roger Borg said: Looking for an inconspicuous way to lower line voltage to 104 for a centrifugal start fan. Is there anything small I can conceal in the base, or otherwise anything small I can put on the plug at the outlet? Short of the aforementioned, what types of variacs are recommended? Thanks... I have a couple of these. Can't see exact number though you could put it on a kill a watt and mark on the dial where 104v is. BN-LINK Exhaust Fan Speed Controller Variable 3 Speed Ceiling Vent Fan Control Adjuster Cordless for Duct Inline Fan Vent Blower Controller Wireless for Ventilation Fans 4.8A / 600W https://a.co/d/bQWA9AX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Borg Posted July 6, 2022 Author Share Posted July 6, 2022 21 hours ago, Trevor Andersen said: I have a couple of these. Can't see exact number though you could put it on a kill a watt and mark on the dial where 104v is. BN-LINK Exhaust Fan Speed Controller Variable 3 Speed Ceiling Vent Fan Control Adjuster Cordless for Duct Inline Fan Vent Blower Controller Wireless for Ventilation Fans 4.8A / 600W https://a.co/d/bQWA9AX Hi Trevor- This seems useful. After reading the description it appears that it adjusts to three distinct stepped speeds: high, med, low. Is that what you observe, or is it infinitely adjustable through the dial? Meaning g can i dial it in to exactly 104 somewhere on the dial, or do i just have to cross my fingers that is one of the 3 speeds? I can put a killawatt on it to see, just figured I'd ask before I purchase. Thanks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 (edited) You can simply set a meter to AC voltage and put the two meter probes to the hot and common exiting the speed control to measure the voltage on medium speed + if it dials in like a variac. Edited July 6, 2022 by Russ Huber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Borg Posted July 6, 2022 Author Share Posted July 6, 2022 Yup, understood how to measure, was hoping to receive advance word before forking over money to bezos... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Andersen Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 14 hours ago, Roger Borg said: Hi Trevor- This seems useful. After reading the description it appears that it adjusts to three distinct stepped speeds: high, med, low. Is that what you observe, or is it infinitely adjustable through the dial? Meaning g can i dial it in to exactly 104 somewhere on the dial, or do i just have to cross my fingers that is one of the 3 speeds? I can put a killawatt on it to see, just figured I'd ask before I purchase. Thanks... It is fully variable speed. The low med and high are just ranges for reference not distinct speeds. The dial works just like a dimmer switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Borg Posted July 6, 2022 Author Share Posted July 6, 2022 Wow, good to know, I'll give one a try. Thanks... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Andersen Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 (edited) 28 minutes ago, Roger Borg said: Wow, good to know, I'll give one a try. Thanks... Here's a video i just made with what I had around to test, a 28646 I just picked up. 20220706_131305.mp4 Edited July 6, 2022 by Trevor Andersen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Borg Posted July 8, 2022 Author Share Posted July 8, 2022 I've been warned about some controllers chopping up the AC. I know little about how to test if that is the case. Last thing I want to do is damage a bucket list fan. Any links to read up on this topic would be appreciated. SECONDLY, assuming I pony up the extra dough for a proper variac, can the community make suggestions on a reasonably priced quality model. I'm not looking for anything other than dialing down to 104v, ie not changing hz. Thanks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted July 8, 2022 Share Posted July 8, 2022 (edited) Roger, FWIW....with your 104-volt fan you can have a voltage deviation of 5 to 10 volts with little worry. I think a 5 to 6 % voltage deviation is the recommendation. Is there something about those transformers I posted above that bothers you? I am not pushing them on you, just wondering. They are step up/down transformers. 100 volts + or - a tad will operate your 104 volt fan within reason. Variable transformers (variacs) can be found on ebay or second hand on some websites. 2.5 amp rating+ 0-120 should do the job safely. I purchased one on ebay years ago that was removed from a device, installed it in a decorative wooden box to operate a 100 VAC Tesla fan motor. Edited July 8, 2022 by Russ Huber 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven P Dempsey Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 I have always used VARIACs, POWER STATS, etc - - they look cool! I collect them. I have fans with bad switches as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Warnecke Posted July 12, 2022 Share Posted July 12, 2022 I've been wanting to build a few inconspicuous "wall wart"-style buck transformers for our fans that drop 120V line voltage to about 100-104V. I need to do some math and source some small but powerful-enough transformers and CAD something up to 3D print. I definitely agree with the OP as to the value of a clean sine output. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Khoury Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 On 7/8/2022 at 1:34 PM, Russ Huber said: Roger, FWIW....with your 104-volt fan you can have a voltage deviation of 5 to 10 volts with little worry. I think a 5 to 6 % voltage deviation is the recommendation. Is there something about those transformers I posted above that bothers you? I am not pushing them on you, just wondering. They are step up/down transformers. 100 volts + or - a tad will operate your 104 volt fan within reason. Variable transformers (variacs) can be found on ebay or second hand on some websites. 2.5 amp rating+ 0-120 should do the job safely. I purchased one on ebay years ago that was removed from a device, installed it in a decorative wooden box to operate a 100 VAC Tesla fan motor. That's a cool looking variac. I'm running a more mundane one myself on my 1906 cake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 (edited) 5 hours ago, Paul Khoury said: That's a cool looking variac. I'm running a more mundane one myself on my 1906 cake. I had the wooden platform for the box in my stash. I actually got the box with hardware on it at Hobby Lobby for peanuts. Hobby Lobby has the raw wooden plaques as well. Ebay has variacs of various sizes and amperage ratings. The variac you seek for this type of application is one that has be removed from a device. 2.5 amp up to 5 amp examples are smaller and in the safe zone for a desk fan. I put an inline fuse for added protection. I use Dark Walnut and Mahagony stains for the wood, at times mixing then. The brass plate on top of the box I had precut at a Trophy shop in my area. It had a peel away sticky back on one side. The funky colors you see on the brass plate were created by dipping the brass plate in saline solution and putting it in an ammonia vapor chamber. The attempt was to patina the brass artificially. I came across the effect totally by surprise, as the chemicals in the glue sticky back created the funky swirl effect colors in the ammonia chamber. Edited July 15, 2022 by Russ Huber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 This is a Turnbull weapon restoration example showing what chemical tricks can do to beautify metal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Borg Posted July 15, 2022 Author Share Posted July 15, 2022 The coloration looks a little like steel when you cut it with any oxy torch. Just nicer, and more permanent I imagine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 Wooden plaque from Hobby Lobby. A mix of Dark Walnut and Mahagony stains later varnished. The decorative metalwork under the motor from a Trophy shop. These are things for those who have a tight budget can do just as good as the more privileged folks can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Khoury Posted July 19, 2022 Share Posted July 19, 2022 On 7/15/2022 at 10:04 AM, Russ Huber said: I had the wooden platform for the box in my stash. I actually got the box with hardware on it at Hobby Lobby for peanuts. Hobby Lobby has the raw wooden plaques as well. Ebay has variacs of various sizes and amperage ratings. The variac you seek for this type of application is one that has be removed from a device. 2.5 amp up to 5 amp examples are smaller and in the safe zone for a desk fan. I put an inline fuse for added protection. I use Dark Walnut and Mahagony stains for the wood, at times mixing then. The brass plate on top of the box I had precut at a Trophy shop in my area. It had a peel away sticky back on one side. The funky colors you see on the brass plate were created by dipping the brass plate in saline solution and putting it in an ammonia vapor chamber. The attempt was to patina the brass artificially. I came across the effect totally by surprise, as the chemicals in the glue sticky back created the funky swirl effect colors in the ammonia chamber. Aha. I didn't see the brass plate at first, and then realized that's brass, not just stained wood. That box is still very attractive looking, for being something new, from Hobby Lobby. One opened up literally at the start of COVID 30 miles away (I live rural), and I still haven't been in one yet. Might need to check it out. That fan you have - is that a 16" double stack pancake? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted July 19, 2022 Share Posted July 19, 2022 30 minutes ago, Paul Khoury said: That fan you have - is that a 16" double stack pancake? At times, Rust never sleeps. Spend time studying vintage/antique fans on the old forum. No 16" Tesla patented fan motor AC. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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