ATI Sunpower fan operation

[Potatohead]

When I bought this unit I figured the fans were either turned on when the lights are on or activated by a thermal switch in the unit. From what I can tell, they're on as soon as you plug them in, which is not a big deal but seems kind of weird and requires another timer for the fan. Am I missing something?

 

[Hentz]

I thought the same thing. I have the ATI 6x39 SunPower. While its nice how you can control the fan speed, I did find it odd that it's not just plugged into one of the plugs for the lights.

Maybe its so you can have the fan on for the 2 or 4 bulbs by them selves.

Or maybe it just need a separate plug to allow for the fan control?

No idea... But I'm also curious. 3 Plugs is what turned me away from this unit the first time. Expanding my outlets on my Apex, made me not mind the 3 plugs.

 

[AZRippster]

I thought only the Dimmable Sunpower provide fan control due to the controller having the capability of temperature sensing.

 

[rtparty]

A standard Sunpower will have 3 plugs. 2 for bulbs and one for the fans. The fan plug should have a a way to select the speed of the fans by setting a voltage. The best is usually between 6-9v depending on ambient temperature. I found 7.5v the best for me and my house ran around 70-74 year round.

You will need them on a separate timer or combined with the 2 bulb plug. That way they turn on whenever the bulbs are running. I personally liked a third separate timer so I could let them run for about 10 minutes after all lights shut off. It just cooled everything off for the night.

 

[Potatohead]

A standard Sunpower will have 3 plugs. 2 for bulbs and one for the fans. The fan plug should have a a way to select the speed of the fans by setting a voltage. The best is usually between 6-9v depending on ambient temperature. I found 7.5v the best for me and my house ran around 70-74 year round.

You will need them on a separate timer or combined with the 2 bulb plug. That way they turn on whenever the bulbs are running. I personally liked a third separate timer so I could let them run for about 10 minutes after all lights shut off. It just cooled everything off for the night.

That's what I figured as well, so I got a third timer to turn them off a few minutes after also. My unit came set with them at 9v, maybe I will turn it down one click, it's in my basement and usually around 70-71.

 

[rtparty]

That's what I figured as well, so I got a third timer to turn them off a few minutes after also. My unit came set with them at 9v, maybe I will turn it down one click, it's in my basement and usually around 70-71.

9v is probably too high and over cooling is bad as well. If you have a reliable way to measure the bulb, check the temperature of the label end (label end should be below the holes) and it should read about 105F

 

[Potatohead]

9v is probably too high and over cooling is bad as well. If you have a reliable way to measure the bulb, check the temperature of the label end (label end should be below the holes) and it should read about 105F

I stuck a thermometer just far enough in the air outlet to get it to stay in place and after a few minutes is was solid at 40C which is 104F. I guess with the 8 bulb it needs a bit more air... The instructions did say to set it at 9. I checked with only the two bulbs on and it was only 29. I might be able to get one of those temp guns from work to check the bulb itself.

 

[rtparty]

I stuck a thermometer just far enough in the air outlet to get it to stay in place and after a few minutes is was solid at 40C which is 104F. I guess with the 8 bulb it needs a bit more air... The instructions did say to set it at 9. I checked with only the two bulbs on and it was only 29.

Perfect! Doesn't the 8 bulb have 3 fans? I think that's what I remember

 

[Potatohead]

Perfect! Doesn't the 8 bulb have 3 fans? I think that's what I remember

Just two

 

[MiddletoM]

i have the dimmable 8x54w model. It has 3 fans and they always seem to be running on full, even when running the 2 moonlights on 50%.

 

[Potatohead]

I found a temp gun here at work. From my research the cold side of the bulbs should be about 35°C/95°F?

 

[rtparty]

I found a temp gun here at work. From my research the cold side of the bulbs should be about 35°C/95°F?

That sounds right. I put 105 but 35C sounds correct. If you're already at 9v, I don't think I'd bump up to bring the temp down a lot. I remember 12v being LOUD!

 

[Potatohead]

Alright so I finally got around to measuring this, and I don't think the temp gun is measuring the bulbs correctly because it's reading anywhere from 45-70C which clearly isn't right. Maybe it's just going through them and reading the reflector or something. I'm still getting 40-41C air temp out the exhaust which seems about right to me. I'd like to turn the fans down a bit but I probably shouldn't. They're a bit loud at 9v but not too bad.