Need expert advice on squirl cage blower

[idk]

I am thinking about buying this blower.
These are the specs.

Kooltronic KBB63 Blower 390 CFM 110 Volt AC 6 In Blade

Used/Tested Working

Kooltronic Blower
Model KBB63
360 CFM
110 Volt AC, 4.6 Amp
Approximate Blade Diameter: 6 Inches
Overall Dimensions 9.56 Inches Deep x 11 Inches High x 8.75 Inches Wide
Outlet Opening Dimensions 2.67 Inches High x 2.38 Inches Wide

This is not designed as a multi speed motor.
The question is can it be used with some kind of
rheostat or other idea.

Thanks in advance,
IDK

[mestophilies]

I know almost next to nothing about wiring and the like, my father does though and he said that if you wire it right with a resistor big enough to handle the load u should be ok. don't trust us only though, if nothing else call an electrician, always better safe than sorry! good luck!

[Foster]

Heres one available at most hydro stores. Just scroogle fantech variable speed fan controller.
This one is a 2 wire, 5 amp, on/off, 120vac

Just make sure its rated high enough for your application before purchasing one.

[sandman]

seems kinda small, how big of a filter are you running?

[idk]

Its not a hepa. Its not for a flow hood.
Its for automated air exchange. The filter I am using is an auto air filter. Its a round one 9" high 5" diameter.
I'm sure I will ad a hepa to it at some point.

[Myc]

Yes you can use a variable speed controller with this fan
So long as the controller is rated for use with a Permanent Split Capacitor (PSC) motor and rated for the motor load you intend to connect to it.

[idk]

Thanks for the help guys. I over slept through the end of
the fucking auction. The thing went for $15.00. DOOOOOOOHHH.
I would have paid at least $50.
So I am still looking and have another question.
I understand the CFM rating, but I dont understan this part.

CFM @ 0.000-IN. sp 273 CFM
CFM @ 0.100-IN. sp 253 CFM
etc.

What does the 0.100-IN. sp part mean.
And is this a switchable speed?

I also have decided to go with a 99.97 hepa.

Thanks again for all the help.

When I get this thing going I will post a build log.
Once I get figured out it will be a very simple build.
Its already all together except the blower.
You could do it in a couple of hours.

[the_chosen_one]

Originally Posted by idk

So I am still looking and have another question.
I understand the CFM rating, but I dont understan this part.

CFM @ 0.000-IN. sp 273 CFM
CFM @ 0.100-IN. sp 253 CFM
etc.

What does the 0.100-IN. sp part mean.
And is this a switchable speed?

that's a water column figure.. for figuring resistance. if the motor is variable speed, it should list around three RPM figures.

[the_chosen_one]

woah! heh, reading again. if this is not a variable speed motor, you can use a speed control.. but the motor will not live as long. AND don't leave it running alone for any length of time.

how big is the hepa filter? you are a little shy on cfm at 360. you want around 460 cfm for a hepa.. but if it is a small filter you may be able to get away with it.

[idk]

It is a small round filter 8.5 R x 7.5 H.
It is just for FAE not a flow hood.

[sandman]

the 0.1" is the resistance that the blower is faced with. By that I mean if the blower is just screwed to a board and sitting outside it will move 273 cfm of air. As soon as you enclose it in somekind of ductwork or whatever and add a filter to the equation it wil move less air. The 0.1" is a reference point, probably close to a furnace filter or so.

[the_chosen_one]

Originally Posted by sandman

the 0.1" is the resistance that the blower is faced with. By that I mean if the blower is just screwed to a board and sitting outside it will move 273 cfm of air. As soon as you enclose it in somekind of ductwork or whatever and add a filter to the equation it wil move less air. The 0.1" is a reference point, probably close to a furnace filter or so.

exactly "sp" = static pressure

it'll be fine for FAE.. but scratch the variable speed control and go with a timer. 99.97% filtration will really put a load on that blower. if anything you'll want it to go faster. timing it will also reduce how fast your filter loads up as well.. and a hepa will. you may want to consider a 2" to 4" thick pleated house filter with a MERV 7 rating instead.

[idk]

Thanks for all the help guys. I have decided to go with a bran new Hydrofarm 465 CFM.
$99.95 with free shiping.

[the_chosen_one]

not a bad deal. that will do much better with the hepa. one more thing. a polly prefilter will help that hepa stay cleaner longer. they are pretty cheap, so you may want to get a few and change them fairly regularly.

[idk]

I will consider the pre filter.
Basicaly how it is designed now is with two chambers made
from 2 5gal buckets. So I would just have to ad another bucket.
That makes it a bit bigger, but probably worth it financialy.
I am paying $55 for the hepa. I can use the automotive filter that
I already bought.

[Myc]

All advice given here is golden.

CFM @ 0.100-IN. sp 253 CFM
This means that your fan will move 253 cubic feet per minute through a filter that offers a 0.100-inch static pressure rating (which is the universal standard for most reputable HEPA filter manufacturers)

The filter specs should be included with the filter you bought

I might save you a bunch of headache though.
No need for HEPA filtration for FAE.
A pre-filter (like your automotive filter) isn't a bad idea but the HEPA is unnecessary overkill IME.

Regular fresh air will suppress most contaminants like trichoderma, bacteria, and other various molds. Contams prefer humid, stagnant air with a high concentration of CO2. The pre-filter will help eliminate many contaminants from even entering your FC.

I just use a PC fan (like used in server racks) on a timer with a cheapo poly pre-filter and have very few contamination issues.

You could build yourself a helluva little laminar flow box using plastic tubs and your fan/ HEPA setup. (just my .02)

Good luck!

[idk]

Well, I have already ordered the blower and the hepa.
I know I didnt really need all that but, what the hell.
I bet the subs will be long spent before they ever think
about contaming.