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  1. #1
    Member Rank = Nisai Gnmm's Avatar
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    DIY variable pump. Can it be done?

    Here is a crazy question to the more electrically experienced people out there. Assuming health and safety around electrics and water is not an issue, can you fit a dimmer switch to a normal pump to turn it into a variable one? Or is this as I warned you.....crazy?



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  3. #2
    You can buy a plug in speed controller for very little money. They work with fans which use the same technology as pumps, so worth a try if you can find an enclosure to fit it in.
    My DIY ponds from 1988 until present day.
    All can be found here:
    https://www.ukzero.com/pond.htm

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  5. #3
    Interesting idea, thanks.
    is this the type of thing that might work?
    I have an oase 18000 that i would like to step down a bit for use on my skimmer.
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Variispeed-Fan-Speed-Controller/dp/B00HXDXBAI

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  7. #4
    As long as your pump is less than 300W that looks like it is worth a go.
    The pump speed is governed by the 50Hz mains frequency - so such pumps (and fans) all run at the same speed (approx 3000rpm). These electronic devices are able to alter the frequency and hence the speed.
    My DIY ponds from 1988 until present day.
    All can be found here:
    https://www.ukzero.com/pond.htm

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  9. #5
    Thanks for the reply, I will buy it and see.
    I presume this would lower power consumption as well, same as my aqua forte DM vario...?

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  11. #6
    Senior Member Rank = Gosai KevT's Avatar
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    Hi

    I did this some 20 years ago as back then the pumps used loads of watts - I used a standard dimmer switch in the garage and you can run the pump full speed in the summer and then in the winter I used to play with the dimmer switch until the pump stopped and then moved it a little to give the pump just enough watts to turn it over - worked for years until I bought an Oase Eco Pump on 80 watts - £££ savings - I think the pump was a dirty water pump with a float and running at 1000 watts was expensive to run and not rated for 24/7 running - how things have moved on

    KevT

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  13. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by DavidKoi14 View Post
    I presume this would lower power consumption as well, same as my aqua forte DM vario...?
    Yes - it should lower power consumption. If it is moving less water it is using less energy.
    To use the same amount of energy as on full power, all the difference would have to be converted to heat and the controller would get very hot indeed.
    A fan speed controller, being designed to control a fan motor, will have the right circuitry to do what you want relatively efficiently.

    My DIY ponds from 1988 until present day.
    All can be found here:
    https://www.ukzero.com/pond.htm

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  15. #8
    Thanks all, part is arriving later so will let you know how it goes.

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