Have an ati fixture problems with fan..

[MarkKlier]

Got an ati fan from a fellow reefer in Cal. He packed it amazingly well, great care. Having trouble with the fan. He said it worked before and I believe him. I got a multiadaptor from Walmart that I set for 9v. Still no luck. Any ideas?
MK

 

[SkiFletch]

Is it not starting at all? Running feebly? Any twitching of the motor? have you verified the voltage with a meter? Any labels on the fan motor as to what it actually is (manufacturer, voltage, current, serial numbers, etc) since I'm sure ATI didn't make it

 

[MarkKlier]

LOL...no this guy was honest. After trying many different adaptors...office manager to the rescue!!! Her 12volt phone adaptor worked. Seems to be running fine
MK

 

[Tonynlo]

When I received my fixture, George at reefgeek specifically said to use the 9V setting on the adapter. There were also warning labels saying the same thing. I don't know why they don't just supply the fixture with a standard plug instead of the adjustables. The fans get dirty pretty quickly. Fortunately, the plastic rivots are easilly removed for cleaning/fan replacement.

 

[MarkKlier]

Thanks Tony. I will work on getting a 9volt one. Certainly would make it easier if they just supplied it. MK

 

[NirvanaFan]

all the computer case fans I've ever used were 12 volt. You can run them at 9 volts though, and they should run fine (just a bit slower). Once you get them down to 6 or 7 volts, sometimes they don't turn on though. Maybe yours just won't turn at 9 volts?

 

[SkiFletch]

That was my thought too. Running at a lower voltage also gets tricky if the bearings get even the slightest bit gummed up. Sometimes they can be push-started with something to break that moment of inertia. Furthermore if there are minor manufacturing defects in the motor, it could really not like 9v, despite working just fine at 12.

 

[Johnny C]

From what I remember when I had my Powermodule it ran at 12V. The reason why the adaptor is included is because the lights are manufactured/sold in Germany.

In the event that you ever have issues with the fixture, Greg @ ReefGeek is a great guy and is always willing to help as they are the sole US distributor of the ATI product line.

Be very cautious with the acclimation process over your reef, those lights are PAR monsters... most people find out the hard way!

 

[Gravesj1s]

I'd agree with what Johnny stated.Though, Im not real savvy in the electronic department so I thought a pic here might be more use, this is what arrived for the ati pm fixture I purchased from reefgeek.On my 4bulb 4' fixture ,having 2 fans I use the 4.5volt setting.

-Steve

 

[MarkKlier]

Okay finally just asked my wife. She is an EE. I remember when I told her we were overdriving T5's (remember when). She just looked at me and said "you damn fish people are going to burn the place down".
She said that you can run at 9 or 12 volts, but it is best to run it at the voltage that the it is spec'ed for. The life of the motor will be less if you run it at a higher voltage. This whole problem probably stems from the fact that Germany (and many others) use a 50hz frequency vrs our 60HZ. Then she asked me what the specs of the motor were Not sure why she thought I would know that, or why if I knew it I would have to ask what size adaptor

 

[gary greguire]

the problem with the nine volt adapter is that it may not supply enough milliamps

 

[MarkKlier]

Gary I have one of the variable adapters, just cant figure out what the "real" specs are. Get different answeres from different sites...

 

[NirvanaFan]

have a multimeter?

 

[jfl14609]

I have one he can use joe what ya thinking?

 

[jfl14609]

Mark might be worth it just to order this and know you have the right thing
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...dapter_for_Powermodule_&_SunPower_Fans_by_ATI