| Author | Post |
|---|
James Kirkland
Guest
| Joined: | Wed Jul 23rd, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 3 |
| Favorite Fan: | TBA |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 23rd, 2008 06:32 pm |
|
I've recently tried a number of modern fans in my office claimed to be "whisper-quiet" that infact sound like a caged tornado, and no operating speed under 10,000 rpm. In my ambling across the internet this site kept coming up in my search for quiet, slow fans.
Having now looked at the many beautiful antique fans out there, I'm ready to purchase with the minor reservation of having no expert knowledge of what I'm buying. If anyone cares to indulge me, I'd love thoughts on the following:
Looking for a fan that can sit on a desk, probably no larger than 12" across. Ideally with an ultra slow setting (to the point you can follow the blades as they turn with your eyes), and naturally very quiet. Do the 5 speed variants have this kind of option?
Secondly, total newbie question, do the fans that date back as far to the turn of the century run on regular 110V A/C or need some kind of adaptor/transformer?
Thanks for any help, James
|
Zachary Yarnes
AFCA Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 14th, 2005 |
| Location: | San Antonio, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 516 |
| Favorite Fan: | Lasko 2068A01 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 23rd, 2008 06:39 pm |
|
Really old fans sometimes run on DC power
They also can have light socket plugs.
I'm afraid I don't know of a fan like the one you're asking for but it seems to be that if you can follow the blade with your eyes it's not going to be doing much...
|
James Kirkland
Guest
| Joined: | Wed Jul 23rd, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 3 |
| Favorite Fan: | TBA |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 23rd, 2008 06:47 pm |
|
Thanks for the electric info. I may have overstated how slow I'm talking about, I'd be happy with any reasonably slow setting (though perhaps there is some odd one out there that is super-slow), just no roaring noise would be pleasant.
|
Allen Colson
AFCA Member
| Joined: | Sun Apr 20th, 2008 |
| Location: | Atlanta, Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 261 |
| Favorite Fan: | GE 16" Vortalex and Phil Rich Windm |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 23rd, 2008 06:52 pm |
|
Hi, some of the older fans were marketed as residential models and were supposed to be quieter by comparison to the commercial models. Usually these are identifiable by their fan blade having six wings as opposed to the usual four. The motor for a residential fan often has six poles in its stator which causes it to turn slower than the standard four pole motor. They added extra wings to the blade to compensate for decreased performance at slower rpm. I don't know if these are what you would consider "Whisper quiet" but are less noisy than some of the four blade fans.
The GE Vortalex fans are often pretty quiet, available and not too expensive. They came in models from about 9" up to about 24" with three or four wings. The pie wedge blades are characterized by a pointed hook like projection on their trailing edges at the extreme end of each blade.
As for newer fans, the new Vornado 5 speed Premium circulators probably have about the slowest and quietest low speed you will find and are quite effective. The quality is still very good for something that is mostly made of plastic.
Hope this helps. Allen
|
Zachary Yarnes
AFCA Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 14th, 2005 |
| Location: | San Antonio, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 516 |
| Favorite Fan: | Lasko 2068A01 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 23rd, 2008 06:52 pm |
|
Well one I've used and had good experience with is the GE Quiet Fan...it's one speed but it's VERY quiet (as the name suggests it would be)
Attached Image (viewed 309 times):
|
Allen Colson
AFCA Member
| Joined: | Sun Apr 20th, 2008 |
| Location: | Atlanta, Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 261 |
| Favorite Fan: | GE 16" Vortalex and Phil Rich Windm |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 23rd, 2008 07:00 pm |
|
| Zachary, I have the brown version of that with the round bakelite adjustable stand and a red badge on the cage. Very quiet indeed. One of my favorites.
|
Zachary Yarnes
AFCA Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 14th, 2005 |
| Location: | San Antonio, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 516 |
| Favorite Fan: | Lasko 2068A01 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 23rd, 2008 07:02 pm |
|
Mine didn't fare so well, the blade was damaged when we moved...now it's like this:
Attached Image (viewed 302 times):
|
Myles Gifford
AFCA Member
| Joined: | Tue Jan 1st, 2008 |
| Location: | Crete, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 1144 |
| Favorite Fan: | Gasp! vintage fans |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 23rd, 2008 07:02 pm |
|
i have a aqua green quiet blade 10'' 1 speed they are very quiet and the best part is they are easy to find for cheap
|
Allen Colson
AFCA Member
| Joined: | Sun Apr 20th, 2008 |
| Location: | Atlanta, Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 261 |
| Favorite Fan: | GE 16" Vortalex and Phil Rich Windm |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 23rd, 2008 09:52 pm |
|
| You will be able to find another blade I am sure.
|
Zachary Yarnes
AFCA Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 14th, 2005 |
| Location: | San Antonio, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 516 |
| Favorite Fan: | Lasko 2068A01 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 23rd, 2008 10:29 pm |
|
I already have actually, Bill K is sending me one...it's scheduled to come today...
|
Jay Bernard
AFCA Member
| Joined: | Tue Nov 15th, 2005 |
| Location: | Thibodaux, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 302 |
| Favorite Fan: | GE Vortalex |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 24th, 2008 02:07 pm |
|
| Wow.. this thread got hijacked quick! Anyways, to answer your question james, a good, slow running, 12" fan would have to be the all time most practical, durable fan built, the Emerson 77646. these fans run forever, are VERY efficient in terms of energy useage, and are SILENT on low speed, and barely a whisper on high, and move TONS of air.
|
Allen Colson
AFCA Member
| Joined: | Sun Apr 20th, 2008 |
| Location: | Atlanta, Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 261 |
| Favorite Fan: | GE 16" Vortalex and Phil Rich Windm |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 24th, 2008 03:18 pm |
|
| I second that.
|
Duane Burright
AFCA Member
| Joined: | Tue Nov 15th, 2005 |
| Location: | Malibu, California USA |
| Posts: | 1376 |
| Favorite Fan: | Signal - Model # 1249 Cool Spot |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 24th, 2008 03:32 pm |
|
A consideration would be a Robbins and Myers "Quiet Deco Fan", specifically the 12" 3 speed model. Like the Emerson 77646 which Jay recommends (and I do too, I sleep with one running) the R & M has deep pitched overlapping blades.
What makes the R & M special is the 6 pole motor it has; high speed is only 1070 RPM while low is 800 I believe. That low rotational speed combined with the blade attributes make for silent running with good air movement.
|
Nick Loos
AFCA Member
|
Posted: Sat Jul 26th, 2008 03:46 am |
|
James, If you are looking for a nice fan that fits your description, this may be one you are looking for. It has been beautifully restored. It has 3 speeds, low speed is just a nice pleasant whisper.It also oscillates. It may be worth a look. Item number: 110272609854.
Nick
|
Rob Duffy
Guest
| Joined: | Fri Jun 27th, 2008 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 392 |
| Favorite Fan: | Vintage fans! |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 26th, 2008 04:23 am |
|
| I do know a fan that runs very slow on low. It is not loud either. The 12" Panasonic from the 1980's with the blue blades is very quiet. I don't think you will find a fan that runs slow enough to follow the blades with your fingers.
|
Rob Duffy
Guest
| Joined: | Fri Jun 27th, 2008 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 392 |
| Favorite Fan: | Vintage fans! |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 26th, 2008 04:27 am |
|
I also recommend an Emerson 77646 as they are indeed very quiet. I am thinking of getting one after I get a Panasonic/Galaxy with blue blades. Might be soon if Josh sells me one. =]
I do use my R&M 5 blade fan from the 1920's but it is not as quiet as a quiet blade fan.
|
Myles Gifford
AFCA Member
| Joined: | Tue Jan 1st, 2008 |
| Location: | Crete, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 1144 |
| Favorite Fan: | Gasp! vintage fans |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 26th, 2008 05:59 am |
|
Rob Duffy wrote: I do know a fan that runs very slow on low. It is not loud either. The 12" Panasonic from the 1980's with the blue blades is very quiet. I don't think you will find a fan that runs slow enough to follow the blades with your fingers.
i dont know most fans i see that spin slow to where you can follow the blade with your finger have some serious issues like bad bearings or burnt up windings
|
James Kirkland
Guest
| Joined: | Wed Jul 23rd, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 3 |
| Favorite Fan: | TBA |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 28th, 2008 09:57 pm |
|
Thank you all for your suggestions, I have a lot to look through :)
Nick Loos wrote: Item number: 110272609854
Where is the listing to which this item number refers?
Thanks, James
|
Duane Burright
AFCA Member
| Joined: | Tue Nov 15th, 2005 |
| Location: | Malibu, California USA |
| Posts: | 1376 |
| Favorite Fan: | Signal - Model # 1249 Cool Spot |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 28th, 2008 10:07 pm |
|
James Kirkland wrote: Where is the listing to which this item number refers?
Thanks, James
eBay.
|
Current time is 04:26 pm | |
|