Thermostatic Fan Switch

[rchilds]

I would like to regulate the temperature in my tall 37 a bit better. I have installed individual switches on the fans in the canopy and running just one fan seems to help but...

I would like to have both fans kick on when the water temp increases to a preset point (78 or so) just as the heater kicks on when the temperature gets low. I have seen expensive control systems and X10 systems that do this but something much simpler would work just fine. Does anybody know of a sensor and 120v. switch setup that would work?

[Zack]

I don't know about those sensors but a chiller would help you out Good luck :D

[Brad]

I am also interested in that idea. I was kinda thinkin of a furnace thermastat but dont know how I would work that out. what do u think about that.
Also who would really want to buy an expensive chiller when a fan dose the job.

bb

[phistio]

i think it could be done pretty cheap...

see if you can get a dual function thermostat controller...like the one you use for central heating and air...battery controlled though...you can hookup an external probe that you can place in the water, instead of the internal cotrol gauge...then hookup the accessory lead from the controller to the remote switch on the fan...i think it could be done for less than $40...

i wouldn't doubt for a minute that any young kid who worked at radio shack could put it together for ya...

[Brad]

I will try that and let you know how it works. It seems like it would work.

bb
:?:

[phistio]

try menard's or home depot for the thermostat...make sure it's battery operated( you don't want any voltage going directly to your tank)...some have programmable timers too (for sleep, vacation, hold temp. settings for heat/air on/off)

we just replaced the controller in our house...i think it was $30 at menard's

[rchilds]

Are you suggesting the use of a thermostat like is on the wall to turn on the heat/AC? These sense the air temperature to control the furnace/heat pump/whatever. How would you get it to respond to water temperature?

Or are you suggesting putting it inside the canopy to respond to the air temperature inside there?

[phistio]

canopy temp would be best....the monitor in the canopy...

but i think i might be possible to have a temp probe in the water...

[amoroso6]

using a sensor may be to late to help I mean if you wait until the water is to hot then it will take to long to cool with the fans. My sugestion will be to put a timer on the fans and periodically adjust the time the fans kick in vs the temp in the system. My fan comes on 30 minutes after the MH goes on and stays on 30 past the time they go out and my water range is 78 to 82 every time. I run 2-250 MH and 2 vho actinic's on my 125 I have 1 4" fan on the end blowing accross the water and out the other side

Alex

[rchilds]

amoroso6
[quote]
using a sensor may be to late to help I mean if you wait until the water is to hot then it will take to long to cool with the fans. My sugestion will be to put a timer on the fans and periodically adjust the time the fans kick in vs the temp in the system.

[quote]

I would not wait until the water is "too hot" before having the fans turn on but rather have them come on at the upper end of a temperature range that I select.

The separate timer for the fans is a good idea and offers more control but it does not account for variations that may affect water temp such as increased room temp on a hot day or a cold draft from an open window near the tank. A thermostat would be more automatic.

[amoroso6]

ron,

to each his own, when I was looking into a temp cotrolled fan i found an Icecap fan at marine depot that looked pretty good you may want to check it out.

Alex

[rchilds]

Thanks for the tip. I'll take a look.

[Jeff H]

I use two 92 mm fans with temp controllers built-in from a computer store. They are 12 volt but low amps so I use one transformer to run both. They work very well for me.