Any ideas for switch for blower/air cleaner

[Todd Trebuna]

Hi guys,
Not much of a poster, more of a lurker, but I am at my wits end. I picked up a squirrel cage blower motor and I plan to make a down/draft air cleaner with it. It is a 4 speed blower. I am not interested in all 4, but it would be nice to at least have 3. Does anybody know where I can get a switch for this. It's household current.
I have been looking for a swamp cooler switch or an A/C fan switch, and I'm not having any luck.
Thanks in advance.

[Neil Brooks]

A quick Google found this:

http://www.amazon.com/Hunter-27181-Four-Speed-Slide-Control/dp/B000NSHR8M

How many amps does your motor draw ?

Might be able to find an old-style variable resistor/rheostat, too.

[Neil Brooks]

By the way ...

Here's one that will carry up to 5amps:

http://electrical.hardwarestore.com/13-37-fan-control-switches/rotary-fan-control-switch-239053.aspx

[Todd Trebuna]

Thanks Neil.

[Joe Angrisani]

It seems like 1.6 amps and even 5 amps is pretty low. What does your motor plate say, Todd?

[Carl Babel]

I think that what you really want is a Speed Switch. A description of how to wire it up is here:
http://www.ehow.com/how_7598677_wire-4speed-blower-motor.html

You might have luck finding one here:
http://www.grainger.com

[Carl Babel]

It looks like another name for these switches is Power Tap Switches (and sometimes Rotary Power Tap Switches, sometimes Power Tap Rotary Switches).

Here is one for $16 (125V, 15 AMP, 5 position, you'll have to supply your own knob):
http://www.electronicsurplus.com/Item/1722/

Good luck!

[Neil Brooks]

It seems like 1.6 amps and even 5 amps is pretty low. What does your motor plate say, Todd?

Agreed, Joe.

I was hoping to get a "category" out there, AND figure out the current draw we were working with.

He'll be back, though ... as soon as that 1.6amp switch fries on him ;)

[Larry Edgerton]

I don't see the need for more than one speed. I just wired mine to run on the speed that did not annoy me, ended up being the slowest speed. Works fine, and uses less juice.

I also wired mine to switch on with the lights so that it is on whenever I am in the shop. Some will say thats no good because you should leave it on Blah, Blah, Blah.....

I never shut a saw off and run out the door, and I suspect most people don't. Every pro I know takes a bit of time at the end of the day to reflect, maybe tidy up a bit and wind down before leaving the shop. My way, the filter is always on when I am in the shop, and just as important, not on when I am not there. I have my life wrapped up in my shop, and when I am gone the only thing I want to run is the heater.

[steve brownell]

Todd,

I am pretty much going through the same run-around. Having a tough time finding a 4 speed (vs. variable) switch that can handle the amps on my downdraft table motor (.75 hp, 4 speeds, 8.7 amps, 115 volts) At this point, I may just get a toggle switch (DPDT) that can handle the amps and wire it for the two "best" speeds.
I've called everywhere and those 4 speed switches are tough to find....