slow down speed of AC FanCoil blower motor
#1
Member
Thread Starter
slow down speed of AC FanCoil blower motor
hello, i have a central AC Fan Coil with a 3 speed motor within my Condominium. I run the fan of low but find it blows too much air and produces too much noise when i run the AC (the motor works perfectly and doesnt make noise internally, just the rotation and airflow it produces for my samll condo unit) i just dont want to hear the central ac fan running so loud when ac is on
my question is what can i do to control/lower the speed of the blower motor (again, its a 3 speed motor and I only run it on low)
would adding a resistor inline do the trick? is there a device that can run between my 120Volt wire and the low speed wire on my blower motor?
its a 120Volt, 1/5 HP 3 speed ECM motor
any ideas would be appreciated
my question is what can i do to control/lower the speed of the blower motor (again, its a 3 speed motor and I only run it on low)
would adding a resistor inline do the trick? is there a device that can run between my 120Volt wire and the low speed wire on my blower motor?
its a 120Volt, 1/5 HP 3 speed ECM motor
any ideas would be appreciated
#2
Group Moderator
I would seriously reconsider slowing below your lowest setting. It can damage or cause problems when there is insufficient airflow through the unit. It's less an issue with a gas or oil furnace but heat pumps and AC can freeze up if you don't keep enough air moving through it.
#3
An FCU typically uses cold water supplied by a central chiller for cooling.
There is no way to slow down an ECM motor below it's programmed setting without having the control module reprogrammed.
There is no way to slow down an ECM motor below it's programmed setting without having the control module reprogrammed.
#4
Member
Thread Starter
I made a mistake, the motor is a PSC motor.
my condo has a chiller plant in the basement and pumps the cold water to my condo unit with a supply water line that connects to my FanCoil Unit and there is also a return water line from my FCU...
but the fancoil and motor is mine and connected to the apartments electric, i can cut off power to the motor by a dedicated AC circuit breaker
when you say "control module reporgrammed" I assume your talking about ECM. I made a mistake i have a PSC motor.
my condo has a chiller plant in the basement and pumps the cold water to my condo unit with a supply water line that connects to my FanCoil Unit and there is also a return water line from my FCU...
but the fancoil and motor is mine and connected to the apartments electric, i can cut off power to the motor by a dedicated AC circuit breaker
when you say "control module reporgrammed" I assume your talking about ECM. I made a mistake i have a PSC motor.
#5
Correct.
Not really much of a way to slow down a PSC motor either.
You want to go slower than the low speed tap.
Just reducing voltage to that motor will cause it to overheat.
That would require a VFD (variable frequency drive).
It's an electronic phase shifter to change motor speed by varying the operating frequency.
I'm looking for a cost effective unit. They typically start at $100.
Not really much of a way to slow down a PSC motor either.
You want to go slower than the low speed tap.
Just reducing voltage to that motor will cause it to overheat.
That would require a VFD (variable frequency drive).
It's an electronic phase shifter to change motor speed by varying the operating frequency.
I'm looking for a cost effective unit. They typically start at $100.
#6
Member
Thread Starter
thanks for the reply. would something like this be suitable, or does it need to be more specific for this motor or application? if its not suitable can you post a recommended version...
https://hdsupplysolutions.com/p/kbel...xoCBt8QAvD_BwE
https://hdsupplysolutions.com/p/kbel...xoCBt8QAvD_BwE
ilcaa72
voted this post useful.
#8
Member
Thread Starter
question, this motor has a capacitor. how would that effect the interaction between this device and the initial starting of the fan coil motor? ( i only plan to reduce speed by 20-30%,,, of lowest speed available on motor)
#9
Member
Thread Starter
here are some details of the link i posted...
does it make it unusable for me.... another option?
About this item
- Designed for Standard 2" x 4" Electrical Wall Box
- 5.0 Max amps 115 Volts; UL & CSA Approved
- Not to be used with Capacitor Start or Capacitor Run Motors. Note: Not to be used with gear motors
- Applications: Fans, Blowers, Fireplace Blowers, Attic Fans, Humidifiers, Ventilators
does it make it unusable for me.... another option?
#10
Member
Thread Starter
i spoke to KBElectronics that makes the above Vari-Speed control. They have a device that works with Capacitor motors.... max rating is 3AMPs... but it works for me
KBMC-13BV (H9034) Solid State AC Control
https://www.kb-controls.com/product.sc?productId=106
KBMC-13BV (H9034) Solid State AC Control
https://www.kb-controls.com/product.sc?productId=106
#11
Member
Have you considered replacing motor with slower one?
If there is slower motor with same physical dimensions, it might be the cheapest option.
If there is slower motor with same physical dimensions, it might be the cheapest option.
#12
I doubt that will work. Ask them if you can send it back if it doesn't work.
I wouldn't expect much for $12.
I wouldn't expect much for $12.
CircuitBreaker
voted this post useful.