variable speed blower?

[blaircountysugarin85]

Hey there everyone I am looking to put a 40-80 cfm blower motor onto my home made arch. I would prefer a Dayton but all the ones I have seen say not recommended for variable speed control. Has anyone ever tried this with a Dayton blower, the model I am looking at is 4C442 and I want to put a variable control switch on it. Maybe there are some other makes and models that can handle a variable control switch. Any suggestions?

[RileySugarbush]

A small shaded pole motor like is usually used on these low press blowers can be controlled with a dimmer, at least I have done it. It is a torque control, not speed, but works like a speed control by reducing the power going into the blower. It is not really recommended, I think it can overload the dimmer since they are designed for resistive loads like an incandescent bulb. But this blower only draws one amp. I bet you will be ok.
HOWEVER:

I really think this is small enough you will be running it full on all the time. Just put it on a switch so you can shut it off for firing.

If you really want to throttle the flow, just put a blocking plate on the inlet (not the outlet) of the blower. That is how I control both my AOF and AUF blowers and it works great.

See this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhiEyMjVx5g&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[blaircountysugarin85]

ok thanks alot I figured it wouldn't make much of a difference but I am already paying my "stupid" tax as I came across a good deal on a centrifugal blower but its 230v and will cost me alot to step it down to 110 and its from a french company so there are virtually no parts available for it. This dimmer switch do you happen to know what brand and/or model and I am planning to use a shaded pole motor. thanks

[RileySugarbush]

I'd just try a lamp dimmer from the hardware store. I used a radio shack x-10 remote dimmer I had laying around on an electric leaf blower once and that worked fine.

But really, just put a piece of cardboard over the inlet. it will work fine.

[buckeye gold]

Just put a valve in your main feed line. As far as stepping down from 220, many motors have a wiring diagram under the wiring plate and are simple change overs. It's only a matter of changing a couple wires, but if your motor is closed your better off getting another model. I agree I think you'll be running it full bore. Heck I tore the blower out of an old vacuum and built a case for it, wired it to a switch and bingo. Just about anything that provides air will work.

[blaircountysugarin85]

Well that was my original plan was to get this motor and change the wiring around to 110 but this is strickly a 230v motor so I cannot do that. I was doing some research and a solid state motor control might work for a shaded pole motor. Anyone ever try anything like this.

[RileySugarbush]

Try this:

(http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dayton-4C442-Blower-Motor-Used-/230719075274?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b7edb3ca#ht_500wt_1180)http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dayton-4C442-Blower-Motor-Used-/230719075274?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b7edb3ca#ht_500wt_1180

Stupid tax is $49 plus shipping

[blaircountysugarin85]

Excuse me!!