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Variable speed controller stopped working...??

 
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campbem




Joined: 08 Aug 2015
Posts: 9
Location: Imperial, MO


PostLink    Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 12:25 am    Post subject: Variable speed controller stopped working...?? Reply with quote


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Hey guys,

My wife calls me at work today and lets me know that my recently installed exhaust fan is running full blast in my unfinished brewery. I have the 6in vortex fan plugged into an outlet that is controlled by a KBWC-15K SS Motor Speed Control....it is in the off position. I've checked all of the wiring and everything looks fine. It doesn't matter what position the controller is in, .....the fan just runs full blast. Is their a way to test the controller to see if it is bad? I'm not sure what happened??

Thanks!
Mark C.
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 3:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Weird. Maybe there's a wiring short causing it to be on all the time? I could certainly have failed internally.

In the off position it's a mechanical off (you feel it when you turn it to off) so it's odd that it would even continue to run in that position.

Kal

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campbem




Joined: 08 Aug 2015
Posts: 9
Location: Imperial, MO


PostLink    Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 6:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, I've checked all the wiring and everything looks good. The switch was doing exactly what it was suppose to do up until yesterday. I've turned the fan on dozens of times and it's always turned off...then it just goes out and the fan is running full blast in the "off" position. I've got a new switch coming so I'll give it a try. I've put my electrical tester to the load side of the variable speed control switch (at the switch receptacle) turning the switch (high, low, or off) does nothing to drop the voltage.....so, I'm thinking that it "is" the switch.

I've got other receptacles down line of this switch that I plug other things into but I'm positive that I've isolated the receptacle and switch...I wouldn't think plugging something in to one of the outlets downline of my fan receptacle would affect my switch? Hmmmmm...mystery.

Thanks again,
Mark C.
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 6:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

campbem wrote:
I've got other receptacles down line of this switch that I plug other things into but I'm positive that I've isolated the receptacle and switch...I wouldn't think plugging something in to one of the outlets downline of my fan receptacle would affect my switch?

Nope! It shouldn't.

Kal

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Purchasing through our affiliate links helps support our site at no extra cost to you. We thank you!
My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
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campbem




Joined: 08 Aug 2015
Posts: 9
Location: Imperial, MO


PostLink    Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 12:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You know.....when you stated "In the off position it's a mechanical off (you feel it when you turn it to off)" ...didn't really click (pun intended) with me until I started playing with the switch and realized what you were talking about. I don't think I've ever turned it off ....I clicked it in the off position and fan "DOES" turn off; however, the variable speed part of the switch (low to high) does not work ...it's either on full blast or off after I click it. So, I still think its the "variable speed" hardware gone-bad within the switch, especially since it does turn off mechanically with the button.

Thanks!
Mark C.
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 1:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

OK - that makes more sense. I could see how the variable speed part could die as those would be solid state electronics while the on/off is a mechanical switch.

Kal

_________________
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We ship worldwide and support our products and customers for life.
Purchasing through our affiliate links helps support our site at no extra cost to you. We thank you!
My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
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