Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I bought some small fans that are typically used inside computers to keep the system cool. Problem is they blow too hard for my use - trying to get air flow in my Emerald's cages w/out drying them out too fast.

I saw a post somewhere where a "voltage regulator" or something of that sort can be utilized to slow the fan way down. I tried a typical dimmer but the fan stays motionless at low settings and goes from there to full bore at a certain piont on the dimmer.

Can anybody help?

Thanks,

Bill
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The Menagerie:
3.8 Emerald Tree Boas
2.4 Spilotes Pullatus
1.3 Chondros
2.4 Red Tailed Green Rats - Maylasian Origin
2.2 Scrub Pythons (Kofiau, Bar Neck)
1.1 "Sunburst" Indian Sand Boas (Adults retain juvie coloration)
Veileds, Jacksons, and Panther Chams
1.1 American Bulldogs

They sell something that regulates the speed of computer fans. I had one on an old comp and it had a little knob that you turned to adjust the speed. They should be fairly cheap at a computer store or online. I havent used one in a while so ill be little help as to where you can find one.

You can also use a smaller fan with less cfm's or cover half the fan. Just an idea.

Probably the best US site to get PC parts from is newegg.com

Just search "fan controller" and there are quite a few cheap options.

Probably the easiest solution to this issue would be to hook the fan up to a digital timer. Simply program a few cycles a day to turn the fan on for a few minutes each time. You'd probably have to play with it a bit to tweak it so that you find the perfect balance of on/off time to keep your condensation down yet not so often as to dry the cage out too much. You can get a programmable digital timer at Home Depot for around $15.

>>Hi,
>>
>> I bought some small fans that are typically used inside computers to keep the system cool. Problem is they blow too hard for my use - trying to get air flow in my Emerald's cages w/out drying them out too fast.
>>
>>I saw a post somewhere where a "voltage regulator" or something of that sort can be utilized to slow the fan way down. I tried a typical dimmer but the fan stays motionless at low settings and goes from there to full bore at a certain piont on the dimmer.
>>
>>Can anybody help?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Bill
>>-----
>>The Menagerie:
>>3.8 Emerald Tree Boas
>>2.4 Spilotes Pullatus
>>1.3 Chondros
>>2.4 Red Tailed Green Rats - Maylasian Origin
>>2.2 Scrub Pythons (Kofiau, Bar Neck)
>>1.1 "Sunburst" Indian Sand Boas (Adults retain juvie coloration)
>>Veileds, Jacksons, and Panther Chams
>>1.1 American Bulldogs
-----
Matt Campbell

"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." John Muir

Thanks for all the ideas. Problem w/the first two replies is that this model of fan is for 110/220v and all the controllers are for fans w/"computer" style plugs. The timer fan is a good idea. I have my mist system on a killer digital timer and the durations are infinite so I think I'll mees w/that!

Bill
-----
The Menagerie:
3.8 Emerald Tree Boas
2.4 Spilotes Pullatus
1.3 Chondros
2.4 Red Tailed Green Rats - Maylasian Origin
2.2 Scrub Pythons (Kofiau, Bar Neck)
1.1 "Sunburst" Indian Sand Boas (Adults retain juvie coloration)
Veileds, Jacksons, and Panther Chams
1.1 American Bulldogs