ceiling fan dimmer w/ pumps

[eameres]

Anyone try running a pump off of a dimmer for a ceiling fan? I understand that regular dimmers are pretty much a non-starter, but would dimmers made for inductive loads like fans and transformers work?

Isn't a pump just a fan that pushes water instead of air ?

Wouldn't this sort of things make for an awesome X10 controlled wavemaker?... http://www.smarthome.com/2205l.html

 

[eameres]

nobody's tried this? I'm thinking I should head over to home depot, but a fan wall switch controller and try it with one of my left over rios for starters...

 

[dderue]

I am not an electrician, but my understanding is that thuse dimmers affect the htz to the motor to adjust speed. The fan motors are made to handle this adjustment, I would not believe that a pump motor is. You would probably fry the pump.

 

[MinibowMatt]

you would need to use a rheostat to control a pump.
I wouldnt do it though, it will probably cause the pump to wear out.

 

[Karl K]

Try it and let us know. With an old garbage pump, what have you got to lose?

If it works, your be a hero!! (of sorts...)

I also want to see if it will work