Question on using an AC fan/blower with the stoker

[j lewis]

Using the stoker on a smoker made out of a 500gal tank. Need a larger fan/blower than what is available. My understanding is that the fans from Rocks are 5v DC. Guessing it would take a relay with a 5V DC pick voltage that would go to either a 12 or 24v DC relay that would control the 120v AC to the fan. Has anybody tried using AC fans? or anybody have some thoughts, experience or insight?

 

[Amir]

The relay part is fine and others have tried it. But I would be hesitant to use a 120 volt fan with it. Any short and you would be sending that back to the stoker, and if the stoker is networked, back to the rest of your house.

Why not use a more powerful 12 volt fan? That way, you can use a single 5 volt fan which controls the 12 volt circuit (the supply and control voltages of relays are independent from each other). If you go this way, you may want to search the threads as someone used a solid state relay which provides better reliability.