[doze]

Hi all, need a bit of help.

Got one of the B&Q fan dimmers for my grow fridge, to go with a 4in RVK.
Cut the cable to the fan and ran the L through the dimmer (in C out L1) and used a connector to join up the N. Doesn't work just get a buzz from the dimmer , nothing from the fan.

Have I done something wrong? Any help much appreciated, cheers.

[MJR]

You may have passed to much voltage through the dimmer, especially if its wired to a plug, there not designed for such use, sounds like its blown to me? - Not 100% sure but I think you would need a transformer to lower the voltage coming in before it reaches the dimmer for it to work, if it will at all, then from the dimmer to the fan.

[doze]

Thanks, MJR.But I still don't get it.

I'd been considering just using a light dimmer (because I'll probably only need it for a few weeks) and then I read all the threads and decided on the fan one. No-one else seems to need transformers.

[PaulHackett]

Great thread title mate

bit too drunk to contemplate that question though

[MJR]

doze, on 04 March 2012 - 11:25 PM, said:

Thanks, MJR.But I still don't get it.

I'd been considering just using a light dimmer (because I'll probably only need it for a few weeks) and then I read all the threads and decided on the fan one. No-one else seems to need transformers.

Apologies, i thought you were using a light dimmer!

In that case you should take the (N) from both sides and put them in a separate connector on their own, the (L) coming from the plug goes into the common, then the (L) coming from the fan goes to L1, Not 100% sure but i think you may need to put a strapper from common to L1, try it, see if it works.

Let me no how you get on!


All the best!

This post has been edited by MJR: 05 March 2012 - 11:09 AM

[doze]

Thanks for the reply. I think the way you describe it is the way I tried last night. What's a strapper?

I'll have another go tonight and get back to you.

[doze]

Wan, on 05 March 2012 - 11:38 AM, said:

Is ther any other tags on the dimmer?

No need for transformers of any kind or links between comon and l1.

Back of the dimmer goes: C/L2/L1. The wiring diagram that came with it had a ceiling rose added in. From what I could make of it the dimmer was just inserted on the L wire.

Cheers for looking in.

[MJR]

doze, on 05 March 2012 - 11:45 AM, said:

Thanks for the reply. I think the way you describe it is the way I tried last night. What's a strapper?

I'll have another go tonight and get back to you.

A strapper is just a bit of wire that goes from the © in a 2 gang switch to the second © in the same switch, Usually to give a second switch power if the wires are not there, but try linking a strapper from © to (L1), it may turn it on constant, but If nothing happens, then you will need to check if there's any voltage going to the fan, to do this you will need £2, buy a small voltage screwdriver from B+Q or your closest builders yard, there clear, touch the (L) inside the fan whilst its turned on, if the screwdriver lights up then there is power, if not then that would lead me to question the dimmers state, it could be damaged.


Hopefully that will do it, if not i'll make a call for you and get you the advice from a spark that i know, so as to get you up and running!

[doze]

Really appreciate the advice guys. I'll get back to you tonight.

I meant to ask, are they fragile? I did drop it.

[MJR]

doze, on 05 March 2012 - 12:46 PM, said:

Really appreciate the advice guys. I'll get back to you tonight.

I meant to ask, are they fragile? I did drop it.

There not that fragile, but it does depend how hard it hit the floor, in my experience if it buzz's quite loud then its either dead or on its way out, bare in mind dimmers do hum a little anyway, but if its buzzing then might be dead.

This post has been edited by MJR: 05 March 2012 - 01:38 PM

[doze]

Well, thanks guys. Tried various combinations with no luck, then tried the strapper and the fan ran on full power so I realized it was the dimmer, took it back and all's working now.


Would be happier if I hadn't fried my cheese mum by closing the door while the fan was off. Check out the second page of my guerilla grow diary if you want to see the grisly remains.

Cheers again.