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Topic: EasyBreeze efficiency... (Read 34 times) previous topic - next topic
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EasyBreeze efficiency...
Yahoo Message Number: 156509
On a recent disassembly for cleaning of our EasyBreeze fan by Fantastic Fan, I was surprised to learn that the motor is a single circuit model. Speed control uses dropping resistors, which results in inefficient operation at the lower speeds. Since a common use I have involves running it all night at the low speed, I decided to improve the efficiency with a pulse-width-modulator (PWM) motor speed control. I found an inexpensive one ($6) on E-bay, installed it in a small ventilated project box with male and female 12V receptacles. I removed the continuous speed control pot from the board and mounted it conveniently on the box. First I measured the voltage across the motor at each speed, and the corresponding current drawn at 12V. Then, I made comparisons by connecting the fan (set to high) to the motor speed control, adjusting it for the same voltages across the motor, and measured the current drawn at 12V. The best result is at the slowest speed, where the current dropped from about 1.3 Amps to 0.7 Amps. This means the fan would now use a little more than half the amp-hours as before for the same rate of air movement, significant in extended use.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: EasyBreeze efficiency...
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 156512
Probably not enough of these fans used in this group to support a business, but if the ceiling FFs are similar, there might be a market...

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: EasyBreeze efficiency...
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 156513
Steve

That's a great upgrade.
We run one or two fans almost every night and they are a major consumer of battery power.
A close to 50% reduction in usage for just a few dollars in parts is about the cheapest improvement possible.
I ordered one of these, to give it a try. With a separate on/off switch and speed control, it hopefully will make it easy to adapt.
12V 24V 30V 120W PWM Adjustable Volt DC Motor Speed Controller CCM2

I want to install one in a Fantastic ceiling fan but it looks likes the board is going to be too big to fit inside the fan but the board can be remotely mounted.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: EasyBreeze efficiency...
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 156516
As Steve did, I replaced the resistor-based speed control with the PWM  circuit listed below, to both reduce battery drain and to allow the fan  to run more quietly. After some material removal, and some quarter-inch  spacers, it fit on the 1996-original fan housing, with the speed control  knob in its original position. Too bad I didn't take pictures of that  project.

Mark
 http://www.amazon.com/DROK-Controller-protection-High-current-Protection/dp/B00CGXJSNY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1445336330&sr=1-1&keywords=DROK%C2%AE+PWM+DC+Motor+Stepper
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath
Re: EasyBreeze efficiency...
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 156520
Steve, the Fantastic Fan in the rear of my 2003 looks to be the "same" as the 1250 model on this page; is this the fan you're referring to?

http://www.fantasticvent.com/fan-tastic-vent-s-retail-12-volt-fans.html

That modification sounds like a big improvement; as Larry said, the fan takes quite a bit of juice. I know where you live...... ;-)

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: EasyBreeze efficiency...
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 156522
Joan, this mod would apply to any models which have a 2-wire motor. If there are more wires, then there are probably multiple windings to achieve the various speeds. Another way to check is to pull whatever is necessary to examine the switch. If it has a couple of helices of resistor wire on the back, then it is controlled by these resistors dropping the voltage. This method is simple, rugged, and will last forever, but inefficient at any speed but the fastest. A well-engineered PWM control circuit should dissipate very little power, but solid-state devices are fragile, compared to passive devices. A ceiling FF is well designed for airflow only to the cabin, so using any electronics needs to provide for adequate heat dissipation.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: EasyBreeze efficiency...
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 156524
The Fantastic fans also have a thermal fuse associated with the big resistors that control the fan speeds. There is a hole used to pull air through the resistors, look at the trim ring, sometimes it can partially block this hole and cause problems. My Dremel Tool with a sanding drum made quick work of this little problem.

Don
Re: EasyBreeze efficiency...
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 156538
"bumper" found the same circuit as I used, for $7.80 less than I paid on Amazon. A bargain!
 As I said in my previous post, it will fit in the same place as the existing speed control, with some modifications. The existing screened ventilation hole seemed sufficient to keep this circuit cool.
 The fan I modified had a temperature control, so there were more wires to revise. The motor, though, had only two wires.
 Note that the circuit board has a fuse. To reduce the chance that I'd have to disassemble the fan to replace it, I replaced the 10A fuse in the LD power center for this circuit to either 3A or 6A- I forget which. It draws less power than the original without the resistor "heaters," so there was no problem with the lower-rated fuse.
 I was after a much quieter fan for night-time use. With the original three-speed control, I found the lowest speed still too loud for my tastes. This circuit worked as hoped. For me, the lower 12DVC draw was the icing on the cake.

Mark
Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath