Dimmer switches

[EccentricDyslexic]

Just to let you lot know, you can control the power of a March-May MMP3 pump with a light dimmer switch! Its not perfect, but perfectly useable! Got it working fine with my RIMs, all valves wide open!

Steve

[themadhippy]

Not really a good idea as the pump is an almost pure inductive load that most domestic dimmers don't like,also the way most dimmers work is by chopping up the mains.so the motor is constantly stopping and starting,eventually leading to a rather warm motor .The best way depending on the motor is to either use a proper variable frequency motor controller (expensive) or a variac

[EccentricDyslexic]

Thanks Madhippy, your right, the motor got hot, but the dimmer worked ok, but will take your advice cus i want to protect the motor! I did look into the more expensive options but they are really expensive! Next time id go for a noninduction motor!

Steve

[6470zzy]

Next time id go for a noninduction motor!

Steve

I would be interested to see one of those on a pump.