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Temperature controlled exhaust fan for equipment closet

post #1 of 13
11/1/12 at 2:30pm
Thread Starter 
I've seen a lot of small temperature controlled fans, basically stuff pulled from the PC market, but I'm looking for something larger, like a bathroom exhaust fan, that can be installed in the wall of my equipment closet to blow hot air out to an adjacent room and I'd like it to be controlled by a thermostat or temperature sensor of some kind. Does such a thing exist? I've been searching all over for temperature or thermostat controlled fans and haven't found anything suitable.
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post #2 of 13
11/1/12 at 2:55pm
http://www.panasonic.com/business/building-products/ventilation-systems/products/whisper-wall.asp and an attic fan line voltage thermostat ($20) will get the job done.
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post #3 of 13
11/1/12 at 2:59pm
Not sure about a totally self contained unit aside from some of the rack top fan panels from Middle Atlantic. I used a LUX WIN100 programmable outlet thermostat for my projector heat displacement. Connected two air duct booster fans in series at the intake and exhaust, works well.
http://www.luxproducts.com/thermostats/win100.php
Can be set for heating or cooling and any fan can be plugged into the 15A outlet. Thermostat is easily extended by opening up the case and extended the two leads feeding the thermocouple pod. Thermometer can be recalibrated for the change in resistance.
These are available at many hardware stores or on line for less than $30.
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post #4 of 13
11/1/12 at 8:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BIGmouthinDC View Post

http://www.panasonic.com/business/building-products/ventilation-systems/products/whisper-wall.asp and an attic fan line voltage thermostat ($20) will get the job done.

Adding a switch might be a good idea too, might also be code, not quite sure.
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post #5 of 13
11/1/12 at 11:40pm
Keith, check out the link to my build in my signature. In post 69 towards the end of my thread I documented my solution to your problem. I have been very happy with it and even during the hot summer with no ac on the closet remained at reasonable temperatures. I had a bathroom fan originally and it was loud and didn't move that much air, my setup is not audible and very effective.
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post #6 of 13
11/2/12 at 7:03am
Thread Starter 
Cheezit, thanks, that's a pretty good looking idea. I have actually looked at the Coolerguy's website and I was just a bit concerned about the fact that most of their assemblies use 80mm or 120mm fans. I'm thinking that if I wanted to I could go even bigger than 140mm if it is something that is made to run in a PC. However the way that 140mm fits in that particular vent is rather nice. In my new house the closet is between the media room and the loft, so it can vent to the loft without a problem.

I see you went with a flexi-rack. I'm also thinking of doing that. In my current house I have a bedroom adjacent to the loft space where I have my theater, so I have my equipment in a giant enclosed rackmount case, however I've been less than satisfied with that solution. In the past I built a couple of 36" flexi-racks, and they worked fairly well, although I didn't like the looks. Recently I saw one where a guy drilled large holes across the back of the shelves to accommodate wiring, I really like that idea. I think I'll make some new shelves and switch back to the flexi.
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post #7 of 13
11/2/12 at 9:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith Mickunas View Post

Cheezit, thanks, that's a pretty good looking idea. I have actually looked at the Coolerguy's website and I was just a bit concerned about the fact that most of their assemblies use 80mm or 120mm fans. I'm thinking that if I wanted to I could go even bigger than 140mm if it is something that is made to run in a PC. However the way that 140mm fits in that particular vent is rather nice. In my new house the closet is between the media room and the loft, so it can vent to the loft without a problem.
I see you went with a flexi-rack. I'm also thinking of doing that. In my current house I have a bedroom adjacent to the loft space where I have my theater, so I have my equipment in a giant enclosed rackmount case, however I've been less than satisfied with that solution. In the past I built a couple of 36" flexi-racks, and they worked fairly well, although I didn't like the looks. Recently I saw one where a guy drilled large holes across the back of the shelves to accommodate wiring, I really like that idea. I think I'll make some new shelves and switch back to the flexi.

Thanks,

Yes going with the particular 140mm Fans, the two of them combined move twice as many CFM's of air as the bathroom fan I had and as I said they are virtually silent. And yes it was a very pleasant surprise when the fans just happened to fit into the vent, love it when that happens!

I do like my Flexi rack, it works very well for my purpose considering the ability to customize, minimal cost, and the fact that it is really most of the time out of sight in a closed closet. Sure you could spend more for something really fancy, but everyone who has seen my setup in person have no idea I made it myself and are awed by all the equipment in one spot.

If I was to do my Flexi over I would take the time to router a round-over on the edges of the shelves and then I saw an idea where someone cut PVC pipe to fit over the threaded rod between shelves and painted it black, gave a real nice substantial look to it.
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post #8 of 13
11/2/12 at 12:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BIGmouthinDC View Post

http://www.panasonic.com/business/building-products/ventilation-systems/products/whisper-wall.asp and an attic fan line voltage thermostat ($20) will get the job done.

+1 I'm doing just this in my theater now, except I'm using PID controllers to control the fan. 

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post #9 of 13
11/2/12 at 12:56pm
The problem I had using a line voltage controller was that it was a mechanical device and you could only approximately set the temperature. So after it activated and cooled down to around the shutoff/activation point it would constantly turn on and off for a few minutes and you could hear the sound of the switch. I like the coolermaster temperature control as I can set it to come on at one temperature and turn off at another and it is all digital.
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post #10 of 13
11/2/12 at 2:56pm
check w/ a local indoor garding shop (hydroponic shop). part of my job is working at one. and we sell products to turn on & off fans w/ temp. nomaly around $80-$100. and they can easily handle big fans. then can handle out 1000+ cfm ones. basically you set the temp on the controller and when it hits there it turns on fans .

another things to keep in mind when looking @ fans is if rating is under "load" or not. booster fans are to be used w/ a main fan. i know 4" fan we sell is like $120 and 140cfm under load (pulling through carbon filter)

hope it helps some
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post #11 of 13
11/2/12 at 3:17pm
here is smoething like what i was talking about

http://www.amazon.com/TMP-DNe-Day-Night-Temperature-Control/dp/B0026QU966
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post #12 of 13
11/2/12 at 4:18pm
I'm having a similar problem right now. I have bath ceiling fans in my A/V Closet. There is a manual on/off wall switch inside the closet.

However, I'm wondering if there is temperature controlled wall switch that I could use to automatically turn on the fans when the closet get hot enough.

EDIT: Actually just found this LuxPro LV3 Line Voltage Thermostat, Cool Only which should suit my needs. Anyone know of others switches like it that work well?
Edited by DANNER - 11/2/12 at 4:30pm
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post #13 of 13
11/5/12 at 8:32am
Thread Starter 
Well my builder checked with their HVAC guy and he has some solution he has used for equipment closets before that involves a vent fan and thermostat. It's probably along the lines of what Bigmouth has suggested. I'm going with that so it can be handled during construction, as adding that after the fact would either be a lot of work, or not look good at all. If I'm not satisfied with it I'll go with Cheezit's design.
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