Should I up-grade ??? - Decisions !! ........

Hi RIU I have a dilemma, my hardcore 6" Prima Clima in-line fan with speed and thermostat controls is running at about half speed and it wont speed up like it used to

I dunno if I can get this fixed, or whether I should buy a new in-line fan.. with just a built in speed controller (less things to go wrong) .. or whether to upgrade and go for an 8" in-line fan..

If I was to upgrade my 6" setup to an 8" setup.. I would need to buy all new Elbows, Ducting, In-Line Fan, Reflector, and Carbon filter, Odor Sok etc.. (NOT CHEAP)

But I think by doing so I will be able to move more air through my Cab, which should help me control temps even better...

My question is will it cool the lamp better with a complete new 8" setup ?? Or will the 6" setup be just as good if I just get a new 6" In-Line Fan ??

If I do upgrade, I'll need to finish my current grow 1st.. so it will be a few months yet..

I think if I size up everything from 6" to 8" I should be able to run the 8" In-Line fan slower (& less noisily) and still cool the lamp as well as the 6" setup..


I'd like to hear your view's, PRO'S N CONS, etc etc...

Should I do this... or just get a new 6" In-line fan.. I cant make up my mind



HELP lol - STELTHY

Just wanted to comment on your set-up. Very nicely done and really professionally set up. I'm impressed.

The plant on the left got more love.

Pureblood89 said:

The plant on the left got more love.

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The plant on the right was a Tomato plant, I'd already cut 99% of it down.. my light coverage with my new Sun Systems Super Sun 2 reflector is more or less dead centre, so my next 2 plants should be more or less identical in size and produce - STELTHY

Unless you want the rig to be quieter overall, the 6" is the right size for your cab. I'd invest in a variac, they won't shorten the life of the fan motors. The popular fan speed controllers are re-purposed rheostat's which do shorten fan life. You'll know one because it will cause a 'hum'. Variacs cause no hum.

btw, good job and keep up the good work!

With one 1k I can slow down my 6" fan to significantly lower the noise and still keep the box within an few degrees higher than ambient temps with a passive intake. I do run and 8" with my sealed room with 2 1k lights because I have a few unavoidable bends in my duct work.

rosecitypapa said:

Unless you want the rig to be quieter overall, the 6" is the right size for your cab. I'd invest in a variac, they won't shorten the life of the fan motors. The popular fan speed controllers are re-purposed rheostat's which do shorten fan life. You'll know one because it will cause a 'hum'. Variacs cause no hum.

btw, good job and keep up the good work!

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I'll look into 'Variacs' not heard of it/them before.. but I'll take a look..

How do you think an 8" setup would effect my cab in both noise and performance ?? - STELTHY

I totally agree with rosecitypapa. I have a Variac and it's the best at what it does. No hum at all. It is a transformer, so it won't keep turning your fan on/off to reduce your speed and it keeps the life of a fan. I can give you a link if you are interested. It was about $50bucks if I remember correctly.

MidnightJoker said:

I totally agree with rosecitypapa. I have a Variac and it's the best at what it does. No hum at all. It is a transformer, so it won't keep turning your fan on/off to reduce your speed and it keeps the life of a fan. I can give you a link if you are interested. It was about $50bucks if I remember correctly.

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Yeah, please do man! it'd be alot cheaper to just get a new in-line fan and hopefully a Variac controller too, I am unsure of the quietest/highest CFM moving 6" In-Line fan.... at the moment I am looking at a Systemair 6" Ruck in-line fan... if you or anyone else knows of a better in-line fan that can move maximum air and is ultra ultra quiet please let me know many thanks - STELTHY

HOLY COW!!! 3 ballasts?

taipanspunk said:

HOLY COW!!! 3 ballasts?

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Yeah dude, I have a 250, 400 and 600 and depending on the time of year/weather depends on which lamps I use ie 250 for peak Summer and the 600 for mid Winter.. I use the 400 when the weathers ok.. I have MH and HPS in each of those wattages and have now got AC as well so I can pretty much run whatever lamp I like, whenever I like .. I am looking into both Dual-Arc and Dual Spec lamps at the moment to flower with, but am in no rush as I have 6 bulbs at my disposal already!

My main concern is my faulty In-Line fan.. should I just get a replacement 6" in-line fan to match my all 6" install, or should I upgrade to an all 8" install, I need to know if an 8" install will both cool my cab better ? and will the 8" install be any quieter whilst its running ??

I think the 8" setup WILL cool the cab better, even though its the more expensive option.. But as far as noise goes I dont know what will be quieter.. I figure if the 8" In-line fan was to run slower it should clear the same heat as the 6" install... noise is my main concern though - STELTHY

stelthy said:

Yeah, please do man! it'd be alot cheaper to just get a new in-line fan and hopefully a Variac controller too, I am unsure of the quietest/highest CFM moving 6" In-Line fan.... at the moment I am looking at a Systemair 6" Ruck in-line fan... if you or anyone else knows of a better in-line fan that can move maximum air and is ultra ultra quiet please let me know many thanks - STELTHY

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I found the link for you where I bought it. Here you go: Variac. For speed control, this is the best way to go.

Also, while I have no personal experience, I hear good things about the Sunleaves inline fan. You may want to look further into it for a quiet fan.

MidnightJoker said:

I found the link for you where I bought it. Here you go: Variac. For speed control, this is the best way to go.

Also, while I have no personal experience, I hear good things about the Sunleaves inline fan. You may want to look further into it for a quiet fan.

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Do you know if UK versions are available ?? - STELTHY

Oh, didn't know you were in the UK. I will look around for something for you and get back to you.

Wow, the Variacs are really a lot different in the UK than here in the States. This is the closest thing I can find to a US version. It at a place called Claude Lyons in London: UK Variac. Let me know if you have any more questions. Good luck.

Im sorry I have nothing valueable to lend to your question.

But do I see a video camera peeking in on your grow box with the monitor on the top (so you can see in at all times w/o opening the door). And some tweeters mounted on the top for tunes?


Do you have a thread or pictures from when you built that setup. Thats perfect to me.

Bud

Buddy232 said:

Im sorry I have nothing valueable to lend to your question.

But do I see a video camera peeking in on your grow box with the monitor on the top (so you can see in at all times w/o opening the door). And some tweeters mounted on the top for tunes?


Do you have a thread or pictures from when you built that setup. Thats perfect to me.

Bud

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Hi dude, yeah I have a LINK to my thread.... Its a huge thread with lots and lots of pics and alot to read too, I am sure you'll find it very helpful here's the LINK:-


https://www.rollitup.org/general-marijuana-growing/320402-stelthys-600w-hps-project-new.html


hope that helps - STELTHY

stelthy said:

My main concern is my faulty In-Line fan.. should I just get a replacement 6" in-line fan to match my all 6" install, or should I upgrade to an all 8" install, I need to know if an 8" install will both cool my cab better ? and will the 8" install be any quieter whilst its running ??

I think the 8" setup WILL cool the cab better, even though its the more expensive option.. But as far as noise goes I dont know what will be quieter.. I figure if the 8" In-line fan was to run slower it should clear the same heat as the 6" install... noise is my main concern though - STELTHY

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Yes the 8" will cool better and cool quieter and if you were on a new build, definitely the way to go. But since you're already invested in the 6" and the 6" fan isn't properly speed controlled. The better value would be to get the Variac. Unless you're unhappy with the sound as it stands right now with a working 6" fan (properly speed controlled with a variac), then keep your investment in 6".

Is it worth the cost? Your call, for me it's all a balance.

EDIT: I had a closer look at your cabinet. Stay with the 6", you don't really have the space for 8".

Ok, I just went to my local Hydro store, and told them of my faulty in-line fan, they were very helpful and sorted me out a new in-line fan, a couple of reducers and a speed controller I walked away with an 8" Systemair In-line fan (720 CFM) !!! and best of all cos I had no cash on me they let me have it now and have given me a couple of weeks or so to pay for it all happy days !!!.. I wont install it today, as my lights are about to come on, so I have turned my AC on full for tonight, the in the morning when the lights go off I'll get busy with the new installation, I dare say different bits and pieces will need modifying but thats to be expected lol



So I have decided to stick with my whole 6" setup, but have replaced my 6" 400 CFM Prima Clima in-line fan for an 8" 720 CFM Systemair in-line fan with enlargers/reducers, once its all installed I'll play around with the speed controller and configure it to say 3 different temp setting so I know how far to turn the dial in different weather situations etc...

I'll post some more pics once its installed, and let y'all know how well it works with the rest of my setup - STELTHY

rosecitypapa said:

Yes the 8" will cool better and cool quieter and if you were on a new build, definitely the way to go. But since you're already invested in the 6" and the 6" fan isn't properly speed controlled. The better value would be to get the Variac. Unless you're unhappy with the sound as it stands right now with a working 6" fan (properly speed controlled with a variac), then keep your investment in 6".

Is it worth the cost? Your call, for me it's all a balance.

EDIT: I had a closer look at your cabinet. Stay with the 6", you don't really have the space for 8".

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I decided the 6" install should stay but have upstaged my 6" In-line fan for an 8" In-line fan with a much higher CFM rating - STELTHY