Lynnmor
Red Lion
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Atlee wrote:Not knowing anything, what are PWM's? And how do you install reversing switches?
Lynnmor wrote:I bought the cheaper single speed Vortex fan and added PWMs and reversing switches. Now I have full speed control in both directions without wasting energy like the resistors in the Vortex II.
Search eBay for PWM, you should be able to find videos to help on YouTube. A Pulse Width Modulator turns the power on and off rapidly, as you adjust the knob the time on varies to adjust the motor speed. A DPDT switch can be used for reversing by swapping the plus and minus.
It really is simple and cheap to do this.
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morley
British Columbia
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We installed one in the bathroom of our fiver last year(Vortexll) and it definitely works much better than the tiny fans that are installed in most bathrooms. They have went up in price quite sharply since we installed ours last year. The three speeds work well, we usually just run at medium and the Vortex ll is also reversible. Easy to install and can run off the same power source that supplied your original fan..
Ours has performed well so far.
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Blacklane
New Carlisle, Ohio USA
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A Pulse-Width Modulated (PWM) controller is an excellent way to control the speed of a DC-powered fan. They are cheap and easy to install and provide nearly infinite speed selection.
But be aware: they usually draw a bit of parasitic power when in the "off" state, so you should keep the existing on/off switch. More importantly, both of the (different) ones that I bought produced a high-pitch noise when operating the Vortex fan. I did not have the noise when I connected one of the PWMs to my range hood fan, so it has something to do with the Vortex motor. I ended up just buying the 3-speed Vortex 2 fan instead. Be sure to bench test your unit before installing it if you choose to use a PWM controller.
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rhagfo
Portland, OR
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We have a Vortec I in our bathroom, yes not as quiet as a Maxxair, but does a great job. It is also an inside install great winter project!
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beemerphile1
Ohio
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I have a Maxx Air in the bedroom and a Vortex II in the bathroom. The Vortex is fitted with a PWM controller and we almost never operate it at full power, it moves plenty of air.
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Lynnmor
Red Lion
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Blacklane wrote:More importantly, both of the (different) ones that I bought produced a high-pitch noise when operating the Vortex fan. I did not have the noise when I connected one of the PWMs to my range hood fan, so it has something to do with the Vortex motor.Be sure to bench test your unit before installing it if you choose to use a PWM controller.
The PWMs on eBay are cheap and some do run at a frequency that does produce noise. My son added one that was dead quiet, the first one I tried produced an objectionable noise, the second one looked like his and performed well. A quick check didn't turn up the exact model I used, so bench check one and try another if necessary.
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BarabooBob
Baraboo, WI
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I installed a Vortex II in my TT. I am pleased with it. It does move a lot of air but as others have stated, it is noisier than my Maxx Air that I had in my Class C. I picked mine up on sale at CW when it was on sale and I had a $10 coupon. If you are on a budget, they are a good deal in my opinion.
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Dusty R
Charlotte Michigan 48813
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I put a MaxxAir 1200T on our mh and liked it real well. In the summer of 2013 we traded for a new mh, then I went to get a new MaxxAir 1200T for our new mh, I learned that the 1200T was no longer available.
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afidel
Cleveland
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With the PWM I can make mine completely silent (as in I can't hear it when parked at the beach over the lovely sound of the waves crashing) or I can turn it up enough to visibly suck the column of steam rising from a pasta pot straight from the pot like there was a flexible duct connecting the two. I've got a Fantastic desk fan I bought for camping and honestly there's not that much difference in volume, but there is a difference in tone between the two.
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spoon059
Just north of D.C.
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Yes, they are quite powerful. In fact, you can feel the air being pulled under the door. Make sure you turn the fan off before you flush, cause its strong enough to pull nasty air up through the toilet.
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