Ecotechnics evolution fan controller

[Nom]

Does anyone know if the ecotechnics evolution uses dynamic frequency for adjusting the fan speed or idoes it do it via basic pulse width modulation?

[Joker59]

Does anyone know if the ecotechnics evolution uses dynamic frequency for adjusting the fan speed or idoes it do it via basic pulse width modulation?

Unfortunately I’m not smart enough to help with that, but I would love to know why you prefer one over the other?

[MrNice]

Phase Angle Fan Speed Control

Phase Angle control uses a low frequency switch to chop an AC sine wave. The firing angle of the switch is varied. (25% - 100%) The average voltage is proportional to the area under the sine wave. Thus, the average voltage is the integral from the firing angle to the zero crossing, the cosine of the firing angle.

Phase Angle control provides a excellent method to control the average voltage of an AC source. However, the low frequency AC waveform presented to the motor will create some torque ripple and acoustic noise, to keep this to a minimum we keep the range of control between 25% and100%. note: All universal motors operated from an AC source will have some torque ripple.

May help u Nomoli

http://www.ecotechnics.co.uk/SupportFil ... _guide.pdf

[Joker59]

Phase Angle Fan Speed Control

Phase Angle control uses a low frequency switch to chop an AC sine wave. The firing angle of the switch is varied. (25% - 100%) The average voltage is proportional to the area under the sine wave. Thus, the average voltage is the integral from the firing angle to the zero crossing, the cosine of the firing angle.

Phase Angle control provides a excellent method to control the average voltage of an AC source. However, the low frequency AC waveform presented to the motor will create some torque ripple and acoustic noise, to keep this to a minimum we keep the range of control between 25% and100%. note: All universal motors operated from an AC source will have some torque ripple.

May help u Nomoli

http://www.ecotechnics.co.uk/SupportFil ... _guide.pdf

Ok some of that still went over my head lol is that different then PWM?

[MrNice]

A Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Signal is a method for generating an analog signal using a digital source. ... PWM signals are used for a wide variety of control applications. Their main use is for controlling DC motors but it can also be used to control valves, pumps, hydraulics, and other mechanical parts.

[Joker59]

A Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Signal is a method for generating an analog signal using a digital source. ... PWM signals are used for a wide variety of control applications. Their main use is for controlling DC motors but it can also be used to control valves, pumps, hydraulics, and other mechanical parts.

Yeah I knew that much, I’ve heard the term from the guys I grow with for our ac fan I think. But thank you

[Minty]

Does anyone know if the ecotechnics evolution uses dynamic frequency for adjusting the fan speed or idoes it do it via basic pulse width modulation?

Hey Nomoli mate,

I know nothing (JSnow) about 'ecotechnics evolution dynamic frequency' but I do know a little about pwm and at a guess without looking (I will be back to correct this later) I would say that dynamic frequency is just PWM OR it is adjusting the overall voltage/current to slow the speeds (think house light dimmer). If it is the second one then I would say it is a lot more compatible with any existing hardware you may already have.

Unfortunately I’m not smart enough to help with that, but I would love to know why you prefer one over the other?

Hey Joker mate, hopefully this helps..

To explain the difference what I need with my Magnetic Stirrers is PWM fans because I need to start them off slow otherwise the magnets will just be 'launched' of the centre of magnetic-sex if that is a word ;o) and with digital PWM it will allow me to gradually speed then up over time using the Arduino (which does have limited digital pins so I had to purchase (£10) a dedicated 16 channel PWM controller to manage the 8 nutrient stirrers I have while giving me another spare 8 PWM controlled devices).



In comparison I have this little USB device which is using the adjustable voltage/current to speed up and slow down the fan (but obviously not so automated):-



To achieve the 2nd approach is much harder as that is kinda Analog, and Digital is the way forwards.

I think it mostly depends on what sort of hardware you have to control in the first place. If you have PWM compatible fans then I certainly wouldn't pay that much on a controller - But if it has compatibility with both the methods I tried badly to explain then it is interesting just for backwards compatibility reasons alone.

BUT:-



Hopefully, someone else will tell us before it does my head in and I have to find out for myself... THANKS Nomoli for another stoner moment ;o)

[Minty]

May help u Nomoli
http://www.ecotechnics.co.uk/SupportFil ... _guide.pdf

Yep, that helps - the wiring diagram shows this is NOT PWM it is AC variable similar to my DC adjustable fan controller. Not sure if you can automate it yet...



Don't quote me - but that is my initial findings - still looking ;O)

A PWM Controlled fan would require 3 wires (ignoring the earth) and in which case makes this controller interesting to me- If I could control fan speeds via the voltage remotely it would solve a load of current issues - pun intended ;o)

Interesting Post ;o)

[MrNice]

automation done for you in one easy step not cheap tho plus you can control heat all the nessary variables you need to control

[Joker59]

Does anyone know if the ecotechnics evolution uses dynamic frequency for adjusting the fan speed or idoes it do it via basic pulse width modulation?

Hey Nomoli mate,

I know nothing (JSnow) about 'ecotechnics evolution dynamic frequency' but I do know a little about pwm and at a guess without looking (I will be back to correct this later) I would say that dynamic frequency is just PWM OR it is adjusting the overall voltage/current to slow the speeds (think house light dimmer). If it is the second one then I would say it is a lot more compatible with any existing hardware you may already have.

Unfortunately I’m not smart enough to help with that, but I would love to know why you prefer one over the other?

Hey Joker mate, hopefully this helps..

To explain the difference what I need with my Magnetic Stirrers is PWM fans because I need to start them off slow otherwise the magnets will just be 'launched' of the centre of magnetic-sex if that is a word ;o) and with digital PWM it will allow me to gradually speed then up over time using the Arduino (which does have limited digital pins so I had to purchase (£10) a dedicated 16 channel PWM controller to manage the 8 nutrient stirrers I have while giving me another spare 8 PWM controlled devices).



In comparison I have this little USB device which is using the adjustable voltage/current to speed up and slow down the fan (but obviously not so automated):-



To achieve the 2nd approach is much harder as that is kinda Analog, and Digital is the way forwards.

I think it mostly depends on what sort of hardware you have to control in the first place. If you have PWM compatible fans then I certainly wouldn't pay that much on a controller - But if it has compatibility with both the methods I tried badly to explain then it is interesting just for backwards compatibility reasons alone.

BUT:-



Hopefully, someone else will tell us before it does my head in and I have to find out for myself... THANKS Nomoli for another stoner moment ;o)

Thanks, that helps because it fits my basic understanding lol I’m guessing it’s similar tech to magnetic beaker spinners we use in the extract lab