Firewood blower fan question

JMER817 · Jan 8, 2015

Have a Lennox Brentwood woodburning fireplace with the optional blower fans. The blower is plugged into an outlet inside the unit. A rheostat is also spliced in line to adjust the blower speed and turn off manually if needed. There is a thermostat that mounts to the bottom of the fire box that automatically turns the blower fan on and off. The rheostat just sits inside the unit behind the bottom louver. I would have wanted this controller mounted on the wall outside of the unit but didn't follow up with my builder fast enough. As a result if I want to adjust the blower speed or turn off the fan I have to remove the louver.The outlet that is located inside the unit is powered from an outlet that is located outside the fireplace over to the right. Do you think it would be ok to place the rheostat in this outside outlet which would basically control the current going to the outlet inside the box?

clemsonfor · Jan 9, 2015

I dont think it would be to code to have a rehostat in an wall line that feeds an outlet. That said it will work and its your house and do what you wish is what i say.

mbohuntr · Jan 10, 2015

I see you just logged in, I deleted my post as I looked up the Lennox blowers, and they are indeed in-line with your line voltage, so my post is completely wrong.

JMER817 · Jan 10, 2015

mbohuntr said:
I see you just logged in, I deleted my post as I looked up the Lennox blowers, and they are indeed in-line with your line voltage, so my post is completely wrong.

I was getting ready to google a schematic for it. So do you see a problem controlling the receptacle? My other option is to weld a plate on the louver and mount the rheostat there. That way the electrical connection remains the same.

mbohuntr · Jan 10, 2015

I'm not going to recommend anything, but here is a link that might help. My fireplace fan allowed me to place the rheostat up on the side outside the unit. I personally wouldn't mess with the receptacle as you might have code issues like clemsonfor said...

http://www.ohmite.com/techdata/controls_rheostats_wiring.pdf

PILOON · Jan 10, 2015

It is all a question of current draw. (watts)
At worst tool supply houses sell a power rheostat to control router speed that handles up to 15 amps.
Otherwise on low amperage motors a common light dimmer rheostat could do the job.

Raspy · Jan 11, 2015

Don't get a light dimmer, they don't work on motors. Get a fan speed controller. They are easy to find at Home Depot in the fan section. They sit in a box and have various types of knobs to adjust the motor speed. Most of the ones I see lately are three speed, but Nutone makes infinite ones for their bath fans, or at least they used too. These look like, and wire in, just like a light dimmer.

JMER817 · Jan 11, 2015

I already have the rheostat that is designed to work and came with the blower kit. The schematics show it spliced in between the receptacle in the fireplace and blower which is the way I have it set up now. My question is why can't I place the rheostat in the receptacle that is on the outside of the fireplace that is feeding the receptacle inside the fireplace. This would allow me access to it without having to pull the louver off the fireplace and reach in under.