Fan question

[iaJim]

I'm installing an Ice Cap thermostatically controlled fan in my hood.

I have two possibilities: install it in the top or in the end. If I put it in the top of the hood, I'll draw air out. If I put it in the end (which I think I'll do) should I pull cool air in or exhaust hot air? I'm leaning toward pulling air in and sending the air over the bulbs to get additional cooling.

What would you do?

 

[Nykademus]

Fans should blow into the canopy, so that salt does not ruin your fans.

 

[iaJim]

I had decided to blow it into the canopy. I'm glad to get your take on the salt; that makes sense. Thanks!

 

[iaJim]

Well, here's a little follow up. The Ice Cap fan is remarkable. It ramps up as the temp rises. It really gets going, and it does a great job to control the temp. After my lights came on, the temp didn't rise above 80.5, and the chiller didn't have to come on. I'm very pleased. I haven't hooked up the Aquacontoller Jr. yet. I don't know whether I will hook the fan into it or not. Since it responds to heat, I am leaning toward not hooking it up. I may also not hook up my chiller since it is one floor below the tank and the controller, probe, etc. Don't know what to do about that.

 

[JHAI3]

How do you wire a fan? I am interested in adding some fans to my setup but have no idea of the wiring. Thank you in advance.

 

[iaJim]

The Ice Cap requires no wiring at all. It comes with a quick connect that connects the fan to the wall transformer. There is a temp probe that I used a cable tie to connect to the back of my hood. The big deal is cutting the hole for the fan to fit in. Luckily, I have a friend who is a contractor, and he loaned me a 4.5 inch hole saw and a low speed drill. Both worked like a charm. If you don't have a friend like that, you probably can go to a rental place and rent both. A regular drill will work, but you have to really go slowly because the hole saw wants to grab. A corded drill with an extra handle on it is a good idea. If you're concerned about wiring, the Ice Cap is probably a good choice. The temp probe's ability to ramp up the fan when it's needed is also a good deal.

 

[kerr]

where did you put the temp probe? is it in the water? or some where in the hood? I have two Ice Cap fans in my hood and I put the probes hanging above the water and below the lights but not sure if I was going to acheve the best results from there.
Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[iaJim]

I put it about three inches above the water. I figured it is the air ambient temp under the hood that I am worried about.

 

[kerr]

Thanks sounds like it was the right thing to do.