/ Register

Welcome to OrchidsForum.com. We are a friendly online community for Orchid Growers all over the world. If you haven't joined yet we invite you to register and join our community. Hope to see you on our forums!

What fans do you use?

Discussion in 'Growing Areas' started by AHAB, Aug 13, 2010.

  1. Aug 13, 2010 #1
    AHAB

    AHAB New Member

    Messages:
    127
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Central Florida
    I've been using oscillating fans that are available from Lowes, HD and Walmart set on high. They put out a fair amount of air, though it never seems to be enough to mix up all of the air from ceiling to floor.

    They only seem to last a year or so and either stop rotating or just stop turning. I'm using one in each corner and two box fans on the floor for the seedlings. So it adds up price wise.

    So, I'm looking for a "real fan" (humidity proof) oscillating fan(s) from greenhouse stores, but not sure about brands.


    I'd really like to use the rotating ones.

    Is there a formula for sizing the fans as far as diameter or cfm?
    GH is 25 x 20'

    Any recommendations?

    I run a rather high humidity so I want a lot of air movement.

    Thanks,
    Jim T
     
  2. Aug 13, 2010 #2
    Candace

    Candace Kept Woman Supporting Member

    Messages:
    1,151
    Likes Received:
    11
    Location:
    South of Sacramento
    I wouldn't recommend Air King. They were expensive, oscillating ones from Charley's and I wouldn't buy them again:<
     
  3. Aug 13, 2010 #3
    Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

    Messages:
    4,437
    Likes Received:
    107
    Location:
    Denver CO, USA
    I have a Schaefer (sp?) and it's been running since September 2007. I didn't cough up the extra coin for the oscillating mechanism, but if it's built nearly as well as the fan, it would be worth it.
     
  4. Aug 13, 2010 #4
    Forrest

    Forrest Really Neat

    Messages:
    2,300
    Likes Received:
    27
    Location:
    Northern California
    I have a schaeffer as well. I love it. Though, like Jon, I didn't spring for the oscillation.
     
  5. Aug 13, 2010 #5
    Kitty

    Kitty AKA\Debby

    Messages:
    734
    Likes Received:
    16
    Location:
    Napa Calif.
    what about ceiling fans? I'm considering a couple for my new grnhs. construction to start in 5 weeks, I currently use the floor oscillate from walmart type, they have lasted for years but it would be nice not to have them on the floor
     
  6. Aug 13, 2010 #6
    T. migratoris

    T. migratoris Active Member

    Messages:
    588
    Likes Received:
    64
    Location:
    Mother Lode area, California
    Ditto Schaeffer HAF fans. Seem to be bullet proof ... time will tell.
     
  7. Aug 13, 2010 #7
    Uluwehi

    Uluwehi angraecoids, dendrobiums and more Supporting Member

    Messages:
    1,973
    Likes Received:
    124
    Yep! Their fans are horrible. Never again!
     
  8. Aug 13, 2010 #8
    Candace

    Candace Kept Woman Supporting Member

    Messages:
    1,151
    Likes Received:
    11
    Location:
    South of Sacramento
    I would never use a ceiling fan because I hang plants. I know one person who has one and he's constantly "topping" his orchids when he lifts them too high.
     
  9. Aug 13, 2010 #9
    AHAB

    AHAB New Member

    Messages:
    127
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Central Florida
    Schaefer sounds great!
    Size of GH, size of fan?
    One fan or more?
    Thanks,
    Jim T
     
  10. Aug 14, 2010 #10
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

    Messages:
    1,808
    Likes Received:
    580
    Location:
    Oak Island NC
    I have two ACME Valu-Master HAF fans (purchased new for 75% off from someone with big dreams who never built their greenhouse) that have been in continuous use since 1999.

    They are 20" fans rated at 5000 cfm, and I had to install a speed controller to slow-em down to about 25% in a 20' GH, as we're not looking for a hurricane, after all. (If I water and the clouds roll in, I speed 'em up to dry the plants faster.)

    The fans are in the diagonally-opposite corners of the greenhouse, facing down the length of it, and that provides enough tumbling of the air to prevent significant stratification.

    Concerning ceiling fans, it's a tremendous idea if you have the head space for it. Go up to Bloomfield orchids if you want to see a fantastic greenhouse setup.
     
  11. Aug 14, 2010 #11
    Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

    Messages:
    4,437
    Likes Received:
    107
    Location:
    Denver CO, USA
    IIRC, Marni sings praises about using fans under benches instead of in the air above. Perhaps she'll chime in.

    Oh... and Ray raises a good point... put the fans on speed controllers.
     
  12. Aug 14, 2010 #12
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

    Messages:
    6,561
    Likes Received:
    2,361
    Location:
    Redding, California, USA
    I use a ceiling fan and a cheap oscillating tower fan in my small 8x16 gh. I haven't put an orchid into the ceiling fan (yet) but I have stuck a basket hanger into it. Most of my plants are mounted and hanging and the ceiling fan does eliminate some of the hanging space which is what I see as the biggest down-side.
     
  13. Aug 14, 2010 #13
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

    Messages:
    13,732
    Likes Received:
    3,530
    Location:
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Jon is right, I prefer most of my fans to be close to the floor. I have both wall mounted fans and small fans that sit on the ground that blow under the benches or down an aisle at the perimeter of each wall in a pattern so the air is moved in a circular pattern around the greenhouse. A few are oscillating, most are fixed. I also have 1 wall mounted fan up high that is oscillating. This are not big fans: 10", 12" mostly with 1 16" in each of the two bigger houses. The are set on low or medium so the air moves, but it isn't wind. The cool moist air is under the benches and I want to move that around and have air move up through the pots above.

    I've never had a ceiling fan. I have been in a number of greenhouses that have them and don't see an advantage as far as the plants are concerned. They leave the corners dead. If I were going to do something more overhead, I would put in an air tube with holes in it. I think it is much more effective about mixing and distributing the air throughout the space.

    I should mention that I use fans from Home Depot or the local hardware store. They work for several years (2 to 6) and then I replace them. Most of them use the same hanger so I don't even need a screw driver for the job. For the ones on the floor, I put a piece of corrugated polycarbonate over them if necessary so they don't get watered too often. I do have some that are from the hydroponic industry that are a bit lower velocity and I like them too, but they don't last much longer.
     
  14. Aug 15, 2010 #14
    John Klinger

    John Klinger Active Member Supporting Member

    Messages:
    905
    Likes Received:
    206
    Location:
    Roseburg Ore
    I have 2 52" ceiling fans in my green house and they do a real good job. When I purchased the fans 7 years ago from Home Depot also purchased 2 kits of fiber type blades. Have not had a problem yet. A ceiling fan on high costs the same to run as a 20" breeze box fan low. Am very satisfied wit the fans and the job they do. The configuration of my house is such that all areas are covered.
     
  15. Aug 15, 2010 #15
    AHAB

    AHAB New Member

    Messages:
    127
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Central Florida
    John,
    Do you have the fans blowing down or up towards the ceiling?
    Same question for winter time.
    Thanks,
    Jim
     
  16. Aug 16, 2010 #16
    John Klinger

    John Klinger Active Member Supporting Member

    Messages:
    905
    Likes Received:
    206
    Location:
    Roseburg Ore
    With the heat we are having [85-95]and low humidity[15-30%] in the day time, my fans are running down, on hi. Does a real good job. In the spring and fall we do difrent things with speed and direction of air flow. Winter is another change,pulling heat down on low. I do not turn my fans off at anytime. As for stuffing plants in them, never have, you become aware of them. As for hanging, I have about 75 plants hanging at present.
     
  17. Jul 29, 2011 #17
    piwa

    piwa New Member

    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    fans

    How do you wire a computer fan to run on direct house curent? I am putting together a display tank for moist growing orchids.
     
  18. Jul 29, 2011 #18
    Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

    Messages:
    4,437
    Likes Received:
    107
    Location:
    Denver CO, USA
    You have to get a converter that changes the house current to a similar voltage as the fan. Most computer fans are 12V (though some are 24V). Converters are easily found throughout the house. They're the little black cubes you plug in to the wall then into your cell phone, cordless phone, electric razor, etc. They'll have output specs on them. Anyhow, you clip off the female adapter on the end of the cord then figure out which lead neads to go to which lead on the fan. Electric tape them together, and you're ready to go. You should also make sure the converter has the same (or more) amperage rating as your fan.