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Inline / "hidden" fan speed reducer? JasonC 01-14-2007
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Posted by JasonC on January 14, 2007, 1:30 pm


Hello,
I have a bathroom fan that is really noisy. I don't mind it so much but
my wife hates it as we live in a condo with neighbors.

To avoid having to replace the whole thing, I'd like to try reducing
the speed with some sort of inline resistor; either at the switch or at
the fan itself.

I have a basic electrical engineering background, so I can visualize a
basic circuit that would limit the current. However, I'm hoping there
is a device I can just buy so I don't violate any codes. Something like
a dimmer would work, but I don't want it to be visible.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Jason


Posted by terry on January 14, 2007, 1:37 pm



JasonC wrote:
> Hello,
> I have a bathroom fan that is really noisy. I don't mind it so much but
> my wife hates it as we live in a condo with neighbors.
>
> To avoid having to replace the whole thing, I'd like to try reducing
> the speed with some sort of inline resistor; either at the switch or at
> the fan itself.
>
> I have a basic electrical engineering background, so I can visualize a
> basic circuit that would limit the current. However, I'm hoping there
> is a device I can just buy so I don't violate any codes. Something like
> a dimmer would work, but I don't want it to be visible.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks!
> Jason
.
Stick a small light bulb in series with it? Experiment what size bulb.
Using a light dimmer in place of the switch may not be good idea
because it may chop up the AC waveform (not affecting visible light)
and cause fan motor to overheat. You may want to do some maintenance of
the fan motor? How long since lubricated, worn bearings, dirt build-up
on fan blades etc.?


Posted by JasonC on January 14, 2007, 2:26 pm


Thanks for the response! The light bulb is a good idea. Although, it
might not work since I don't really have any place to put it.

Regarding maintenance of the fan- it is actually a new fan motor and
blower that I put in place of the old one. I don't have access above
the fan housing (its in the first floor of a two-story building), so
replacing only the motor worked, and was 100% less trouble.

Thanks,
Jason


> JasonC wrote:
> > Hello,
> > I have a bathroom fan that is really noisy. I don't mind it so much but
> > my wife hates it as we live in a condo with neighbors.
>
> > To avoid having to replace the whole thing, I'd like to try reducing
> > the speed with some sort of inline resistor; either at the switch or at
> > the fan itself.
>
> > I have a basic electrical engineering background, so I can visualize a
> > basic circuit that would limit the current. However, I'm hoping there
> > is a device I can just buy so I don't violate any codes. Something like
> > a dimmer would work, but I don't want it to be visible.
>
> > Any suggestions?
>
> > Thanks!
> > Jason.
> Stick a small light bulb in series with it? Experiment what size bulb.
> Using a light dimmer in place of the switch may not be good idea
> because it may chop up the AC waveform (not affecting visible light)
> and cause fan motor to overheat. You may want to do some maintenance of
> the fan motor? How long since lubricated, worn bearings, dirt build-up
> on fan blades etc.?- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -


Posted by Joseph Meehan on January 14, 2007, 2:56 pm


JasonC wrote:
> Hello,
> I have a bathroom fan that is really noisy. I don't mind it so much
> but my wife hates it as we live in a condo with neighbors.
>
> To avoid having to replace the whole thing, I'd like to try reducing
> the speed with some sort of inline resistor; either at the switch or
> at the fan itself.
>
> I have a basic electrical engineering background, so I can visualize a
> basic circuit that would limit the current. However, I'm hoping there
> is a device I can just buy so I don't violate any codes. Something
> like a dimmer would work, but I don't want it to be visible.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks!
> Jason

I assume you need or want to continue having a fan. ( I would myself)

I suggest you consider replacing the fan with a better quality one. The
better ones are a lot quieter. That said, you may run into some problems
since it is a condo and to get the best results you may need to increase the
vent size. I would think the condo association would be willing to work
with you on this one, making it nicer for neighbors and all.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia 's Muire duit




Posted by JasonC on January 14, 2007, 3:03 pm


Yeah, I guess I was just looking for something simpler. The downstairs
fan I am talking about is identical to the one we have upstairs, and so
I am 95% sure it is fastened to a joist such that I can't easily remove
it (nailed in above the housing). I'm planning on replacing the
upstairs unit since I have an attic so its easy to access. I was hoping
to keep the downstairs fan simple :)

- Jason


wrote:
> JasonC wrote:
> > Hello,
> > I have a bathroom fan that is really noisy. I don't mind it so much
> > but my wife hates it as we live in a condo with neighbors.
>
> > To avoid having to replace the whole thing, I'd like to try reducing
> > the speed with some sort of inline resistor; either at the switch or
> > at the fan itself.
>
> > I have a basic electrical engineering background, so I can visualize a
> > basic circuit that would limit the current. However, I'm hoping there
> > is a device I can just buy so I don't violate any codes. Something
> > like a dimmer would work, but I don't want it to be visible.
>
> > Any suggestions?
>
> > Thanks!
> > Jason I assume you need or want to continue having a fan. ( I would
myself)
>
> I suggest you consider replacing the fan with a better quality one. The
> better ones are a lot quieter. That said, you may run into some problems
> since it is a condo and to get the best results you may need to increase the
> vent size. I would think the condo association would be willing to work
> with you on this one, making it nicer for neighbors and all.
>
> --
> Joseph Meehan
>
> Dia 's Muire duit- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -


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