Long time listener, first time poster

I'm installing a one of these new fangled EPA approved wood stoves that has a cold air intake, blower, lightened flywheel, etc, etc

The damn fan is mounted on the back side and the stove sits partially in a bump out so actually turning on and adjusting the fan will result is full thickness burns over 30% of my body.

So the only course of action, as with all things is to take it apart and modify it.

So I've removed the blower motor control and I'm turning it into a wall mounted switch

My question is:

Will adding 6-8 feet of wire between the switch and the blower motor have any effect on the performance of the blower motor?

Experts and theorists please weigh in

Call Bob Villa.


Next caller... Tom from Grand Rapids.... what's yer question?

I wouldnt think so. Its just a rheostat  going right to the blower right? 12 or 14 gauge wire?
You should be fine.

So here's what you should do. Cut a hole in the side of the house behind the stove and install a cat door. Then all you have to do is go outside and reach through the cat door to the switch and operate the stove. Easy.

Oh and install an easy button while you're at it.


Take pictures of your project and share.

I feel it would absolutely upset the performance of the unit.

I say that because, as you haven't been to visit in like half a decade, I feel you *should* burn.

There, I said it.



(It should be fine-go real modern and wire it to a remote for maximum laziness)

If it's like most it should be fine.  On my woodstove w/ blower, the thermostat is inside the blower housing as is the thermal safety switch.  Simply extending the wiring to a wall plate shouldn't affect the operation of the blower motor at all.

JM

Quote from: Mother on February 24, 2015, 08:48:06 PM

My question

is:



Will adding

6-8 feet of wire

between the switch and the blower

motor

have any effect on

the performance of the

blower motor?

If the adjustment is like a dimmer switch (a variable resistor), then the only thing I can think of to suggest is to make sure that your wiring isn't adding a significant amount of resistance to the circuit, or your fan speed will be slowed down.  Make sure you use a heavy enough gauge of wire and you should be fine.

I'm sure there's a way to figure out what gauge wire you would need for 8 feet of length with some fancy equations and whatnot, but I'll be damned if I'd use a pen or a calculator to figure it out.

I'd check the resistance of the switch at minimum and maximum speed settings, then attach the extension wires (of a gauge I guestimated to be sufficient) and check the resistance again.  Provided the new and old resistance readings are "close enough", I'd proceed with wiring it up.  If they aren't close, I'd get heavier wire.

14 ga wire should be fine Mom.

6 feet isn't enough length to add any appreciable resistance to the circuit.

You people are no fun.... A fireman starting a fire via bad advice on the internet is how legends are made.

Quote from: Grampa on February 25, 2015, 01:34:29 PM
You people are no fun.... A fireman starting a fire via bad advice on the internet is how legends are made.

I was hoping he was going to cut a hole in the wall and post pictures. That would make this a memorable thread.

Quote from: ducpainter on February 25, 2015, 09:27:50 AM
14 ga wire should be fine Mom.

6 feet isn't enough length to add any appreciable resistance to the circuit.

That's why you tell him to start with 28 gauge and test the resistance.

To improve his guestimation skills for future projects...

OK

so I cut a hole in the wall, now what?

Forget the cat door. Put one of these in nearest the switch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69yswP-MSvQ#t=71

Like has been said, probably not much current between controller and fan (maybe a couple amps).  Just make sure it is good wire rated for in the wall use.  I would use similar to what the controller had initially.  And use some good wire nuts if you have to splice into the old wiring - no electrical tape!

mitt

No electrical tape 

It's called that for a reason