tunze/lighting dimmer

[fishamajiggle]

can i put my tunze 6060 on a lightinig dimmer switch so I can control the flow during feeding time? I dont want to hurt the pump but i would think it is the same principal as a fan speed control in a house. can you give me advice?

 

[rvitko]

It is not possible to control the pump that way, it will damage the pump. On a synchronous motor like submersible pumps use the speed is determined by the Hz not the amps or volts. Hz control is very expensive and can result in unreliable operation.

 

[fishamajiggle]

thank you for the quick reply. I will put the pumps on regular light switches so i can break the circut for feeding. thank you very much for your help. is it controlled by hz due to it starting on such a stressful inductive load?

just wondering

 

[rvitko]

All submersible aquarium pumps work the same way, the electromagnet changes polarity at 60Hz and this makes the permanent magnet spin. Motors which can be dimmed are termed asynchronous or split pole/shaded pole and such motors cannot be made submersible.

 

[fishamajiggle]

thank you for the info. and in the timely fashon. i much appreciate it.