Fans!

[wideasleep1]

.

[John F]

I still want to know if dimmers can damage these fans.

I know bunches of people use them but everything I've read says not to do it.   

[Johnny4lsu]

I still want to know if dimmers can damage these fans.

I know bunches of people use them but everything I've read says not to do it.   

I use a variac.. Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it. Out of everyone that's used them I've yet to hear one being damaged.. The risk is worth the reward with controlability and consistency.

[jyalpert]

I ordered a Variac last night (the $65 one from Amazon) after my first Huky roasts.

I'm not particularly concerned about damaging the fan, but the dimmer simply didn't offer the adjustment I was looking for on fan speed.  Since at 100% power the fan is probably 5x stronger than I'd want, all the adjustments I was using on the dimmer took place within a 2-3mm space on the lower end of the slide.   The fan speed seemed to be different every time and was finicky, so I figured screw it, I'll get a Variac and at least have some #s to track.

[Johnny4lsu]

I ordered a Variac last night (the $65 one from Amazon) after my first Huky roasts.

I'm not particularly concerned about damaging the fan, but the dimmer simply didn't offer the adjustment I was looking for on fan speed.  Since at 100% power the fan is probably 5x stronger than I'd want, all the adjustments I was using on the dimmer took place within a 2-3mm space on the lower end of the slide.   The fan speed seemed to be different every time and was finicky, so I figured screw it, I'll get a Variac and at least have some #s to track.

Trust me, you won't regret it...It will allow you to be consistent and precise.

[edtbjon]

Variacs are obviously an american item. The 230V versions are harder to find. I found one in Poland at a major electrics/electronics webstore at a decent price (roughly $75).
To my point: It's all a matter of getting an airflow through the drum. Scott Rao gives a good tip in his "Roasting Companion...", to use a cig.lighter by the tryer opening and set a zero point at just when it starts to incline towards the opening.
I did that calibration an set my zero point at about 40% on the Variac. Please note that the fan starts spinning at around 15%, but doesn't have any effect (i.e. negative pressure in the drum) before around 40%. These are my values, with a warmed up roaster, but without any beans in the drum.
The reason for this calibration was: First, reading the book. Second, I had a lot of chaff in the exhaust part of the roaster when the roast was finished. Third, I had proposed something about setting a standard way of gathering data while we roast, so that we know what we compare in terms of air and gas.

[Gregr]

I just did the flame-at-the-trier test and the flame was gently leaning into the roaster even at the lowest setting on my fan dimmer. At 50% it took a few seconds to extinguish the flame altogether. I've got the vented bowl with duct running about 3 feet up to the range hood an opening. Range fan was not on when I did the test.

[John F]

You guys are making me want a variac... 

[Johnny4lsu]

You guys are making me want a variac... 

take the plunge 

[John F]

I'm gonna do it.  This set up is going to be perfect and this seems like the best solution.

All best solutions for my Huky build! 

[HIO Flyer]

Is this the Variac that everyone is using?
3 Amp Variac Variable Transformer, 300va Max, 0-130 Volt Output

I'd like to see better control as well based on my experience with the dimmer switch.

[jyalpert]

That's the one.  $65 on Amazon Prime

[HIO Flyer]

Awesome, thanks for the confirmation!

[boss99er]

Tonight was my first 2 roasts on the Huky with a dimmer. I had a lot of trouble fine tuning the fans. In fact, at one point I bumped the fan up too high and actually sucked the neck full of beans!!! Thats a pretty undesirable thing to have happen. I think its Variac time for me. I'm a huge numbers nerd, so the more control, the better!

[hankua]

I'm still using a dimmer from HD; calibrated to @ 16%, 47%, 73%. The first detent is the 16% setting and used most of the time. At 180c I bump it up to 47% and 73% during roast development.

The calibration was done with an anemometer.