I just bought a new wall fan (the oscillating kind with plastic blades with 3 speeds) and it's too powerful on the lowest speed setting (too much noise and wind for the room). How can I reduce the power and speed below the lowest setting?
I've measured an input of 53 Watts at 240 V in the lowest speed. The other fans in the house have low speeds ranging from 35 to 45 watts, so I want to lower this one to that power level by shaving off 5-7 watts.
I've tried a triac-based dimmer in series, and it worked (was able to start and spin the blades with the dimmer turned down to 40 watts of input power, at which point the output from the dimmer was 204 Volts) but it made the motor buzz audibly at mains frequency (50Hz).
Are there any alternatives that don't make audible noise? Maybe resistors and/or capacitors in series? I can't return the fan because I've already changed the plug from the 2-prong EU plug to the 3-prong UK type to match the sockets in my house.
I've measured an input of 53 Watts at 240 V in the lowest speed. The other fans in the house have low speeds ranging from 35 to 45 watts, so I want to lower this one to that power level by shaving off 5-7 watts.
I've tried a triac-based dimmer in series, and it worked (was able to start and spin the blades with the dimmer turned down to 40 watts of input power, at which point the output from the dimmer was 204 Volts) but it made the motor buzz audibly at mains frequency (50Hz).
Are there any alternatives that don't make audible noise? Maybe resistors and/or capacitors in series? I can't return the fan because I've already changed the plug from the 2-prong EU plug to the 3-prong UK type to match the sockets in my house.
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