Fan Controller

[Witfull]

Originally Posted by Woodstock

Please do Sandman!

DITTO!!!

[jhnrb]

I would very much like to see the diy also, however, the controller i purchased will be running some equipment as a timmer, and some equipemnt based on canopy temperature, and will controll all lighting, fans, and automatically adjust the length of the lighting day throughout the year once needed data is programed in. will also turn off lights as programed based on canopy temperature and keep them off in order of program for amount of time designated. anyway. i want to do multible tasking with this controller and found the aqua jr. gave me the capability to do that. now the controller is only 3" x 5" x 1". not very big and does not take up space to speak of. will post pics when all is connected. since i still need to decide on how to control the equipment in the equipement shed, I would very much like to see the diy as i will have a lot more going on there and have need to activate based on time, temp, and humidity. thanks to all for the comments and feedback.

[sandman3467]

Ok....sounds like another plan in the works....let me find pics of the hardware used and i'll post it.

[Cougra]

Originally Posted by jhnrb

I would very much like to see the diy also, however, the controller i purchased will be running some equipment as a timmer, and some equipemnt based on canopy temperature, and will controll all lighting, fans, and automatically adjust the length of the lighting day throughout the year once needed data is programed in.

Why are you changing the lighting schedule throughout the year?
In the tropical regions the daylight schedule stays pretty much the same at 12 hours day and 12 hours night. In the north we experience a lot of variation in day/night schedules because of the curvature of the earth, and the way the earth moves around the sun but at the equator and tropical regions this doesn't occur anywhere near the degree that we see between summer and winter.

[jhnrb]

the answer is in your question "PRETTY MUCH". the time differential is based on programed input. so i suspect the shift is very small but enough to affect the corals, the controller also will control a moon light system so with all things connected, total light control is possible for timming and temp control. hope this answers your question. all comments are welcomed. thanks sandman will be looking for the post

[sandman3467]

Ok.....since i've had some free time i've been trying to work on a power supply for the fan controler used in computers with out having to use a computer power supply to run it.My electronics background isn't what it used to be so if anyone with experiance could tell me if I did this correctly please do.

[Witfull]

english plz,,,,LOL

[sandman3467]

Ok...just for you Witfull.

jhnrb wanted to know of a cheap way to run fans in the canopy by using automation in fan speed depending on the temperature.As I have modded a computer for a friend which included one of these fan controllers.I'm trying to come up with a simple solution to apply the same fan controller in aquarium use.Now the only problem I see is using a power supply from a computer....it's bulky and produces alot of heat too.The electrical schematic above will provide the +5 and +12 volts needed for the operation of the fan controller unit only using a 12 volt DC in wall power supply.

My question was if I got it right or not.

[jhnrb]

well i wish i could tell ya that it was ok but i havent worked with electronics since 1972 so maybe someone out there will verify the design. anyway must be in english for me too these days.

[DaveK]

Originally Posted by sandman3467

Ok.....since i've had some free time i've been trying to work on a power supply for the fan controler used in computers with out having to use a computer power supply to run it.My electronics background isn't what it used to be so if anyone with experiance could tell me if I did this correctly please do.

It looks generally ok, but I think you have the +5 and the +12 outputs reversed.

Also, it's asking a lot of 7805 and 7812 regulators to directly power fans and the like. As I recall, without looking it up, they are limited to about 1 amp of current each. In any case, they should be mounted on heatsinks.

[DaveK]

My whole thought on this thread is why do you need to regulate fans used for lighting?

Turn them on when the lights go on and off when the lights go off. If you want to be safe, put the fans on a different timer and run them about 15 to 30 min longer than the lights are on.

I've got an Aqucontroler and it's real nice, but I don't use it for lighting control, since a few simple cheep timers work just as well, and cost a lot less.

Controlling fans by using temp sensors and/or a computer or controller in one form or another is an expensive, and error prone way of doing things. You just have so many more places where stuff can go wrong and fail. Unlass you have some very unusual requirements, this seems to be a clasic case of simple is better.

BTW, Raido Shack sells a couple of fans that run off normal 110V AC, so they are very easy to wire into the same power cord you use to supple power to your ballasts. While they do cost more that computer fans, you don't need a 12V power supply to run them.

[sandman3467]

True.....but the only draw back on having the fans run continuously is the noise level.These controlers used in the computers vary the speed of the fans depending on how hot it is in the case.....or in this case the canopy.This would limit the noise output produced by the fans.But I think your right about one thing though...it is overkill since Icecap makes fans that adjust the speed automatically too......I just wanted to kill time and offer another DIY project for those that wanted it.......

[corvettephreek]

i use a 12VDC fan to cool off my ballasts, which inturn cools of the bulbs, since my tank temp isnt out of control, but I only have the fan wired into a 12VDC wall adapter, and no regulators or anything. variable controlled fans are a must for precise temp. control, but for me, generic can work. right? a degree off wont hurt. not me, at least.... and I prefer DC fans since I work in 12V all day, I am a 12V freak.

[DaveK]

Originally Posted by sandman3467

True.....but the only draw back on having the fans run continuously is the noise level.These controlers used in the computers vary the speed of the fans depending on how hot it is in the case.....or in this case the canopy.This would limit the noise output produced by the fans.But I think your right about one thing though...it is overkill since Icecap makes fans that adjust the speed automatically too......I just wanted to kill time and offer another DIY project for those that wanted it.......

The fan noise is kind of a non-issue. Fans are available in a wide range of sizes, speeds, and air volume they can move. It's almost always possible to find a fan that solves the problem. Generally the more air moved the more noise it makes.

In computers, some fans are speed controlled by the computer or by a fan controller. However, if you take the systems apart, you usually find only a few fans are actually speed controlled. All the others just come on when the system is on. Even here, some people go "fan crazy" and add a whole bunch of them, thinking that "more is better" and they don't take into account the limits of air cooling or the airflow thru the case.

[jhnrb]

Well DaveK, your point is well taken so without getting into the same old opiniated middle of the road approach let me simply state here that for those that just add a bunch of fans i totally agree it is a mis conception, however, for a system that is heat sensitive with approx. 20 items that generate heat, and 1400 watts of light in a light hood (enclosed), controlled circulation and controled exhaust are of the most important issue as is noise level. who wants fans timmed to come on if not needed? timmers do not take into account the systems need for cooling but, just to run at certain times. So although i do agree with you in concept as you stated it, this thread was originally started based on a not so middle of the road system design, in a location where noise is of the utmost importance, and in a location that may from time to time require extrodinary air movement but not all the time or at set times, so, a method for fan control and light control for the purpose of controlling temp is needed. now once the basic need is identified and the environment is analysed, then the equipment is located that will do the job with the least mantinence hence the aquacontroller jr. does just that. as you know lights can be set timmed on/off and can be programed to turn off if canopy overheats, a protection that some consider very important. some have thousands of dollars invested into their systems and so extrodinary measures are sometimes taken to protect the investment. well anyway just my two cents worth and just another opinion. thanks DaveK for the feed back on the posted design and thanks for your posted thoughts on this thread they are all appreciated and respected by this hobbist even though I may not totally agree with you. good fishing to all and please post your thoughts. ALL COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.