DoomsdaysCW
So, something unusual we noticed during the blackout while using our woodstove (which we use only in emergencies). We have an Eco-Fan that pushes warm air into the rest of the house. Whenever we put an LED battery-operated candle near the Eco-Fan, the candle would dim. I'm wondering if the motor in the fan emits some sort of electromagnetic field that interferes with electricity transfer or functions as a dampener. Has anyone else who uses an Eco-Fan noticed this phenomenon?
#EcoFan #Geek #ElectromagneticFields
Dec 22, 2023 at 7:35pmWeb
Show threadJames Trickle uPDec 22, 2023
@DoomsdaysCW Interesting. You can wrap all but the LED part of the candle in aluminum foil to cancel out most of the electric fields and Radio Frequency Interference, leaving just magnetic effects, as an experiment. If the RFI reduction makes your problem go away then you know it's emitted RFI that causes the effect. If it's still weak you know it's emitted magnetic field causing the problem. #science #emi #rfi #RF
Show threadJames Trickle uPDec 22, 2023
@DoomsdaysCW One possibility is that magnetic fields may cause Hall Effect behavior where currents flow only to one side or the other of a conductor, which can increase the series resistance and voltage drop. This effect could be amplified and result in a dim LED. Or not, just musing.
Show threadDoomsdaysCWDec 22, 2023
@opalmirror Ooooh... Sounds good to me! Thanks for chiming in!
Show threadJames Trickle uPDec 22, 2023
@DoomsdaysCW EMI and RFI sleuthing is right up the alley of some #AmateurRadio folks who enjoy finding out what emitted fields do to nearby devices. I'm a radio hobbyist and sounds interestingish to me. KN1X monitoring.
Show threadDoomsdaysCWDec 22, 2023
@opalmirror I used to do ham radio way back when I was a tween. I appreciate being in such good company here with all the #AmateurRadio folks -- especially @ai6yr!
Show threadAI6YR BenDec 22, 2023
@DoomsdaysCW @opalmirror Thanks! Looks like a fun problem to figure out there....
Show threadDoomsdaysCWDec 22, 2023
@opalmirror @ai6yr Probably the main reason I gave up amateur radio is my radio broke (it had been my uncle's), and by the time I was a teenager, I had discovered computers, which became my new "obsession".
Show threadJames Trickle uPDec 22, 2023
@DoomsdaysCW @ai6yr I got interested when I lived in the country for about 10 years as a way to develop supportive community. I got active in emergency service (ARES) and helped with a backcountry repeater for a non-profit trail and historic structure repair team. When I moved to the 'burbs I have stopped being active.
Show threadDoomsdaysCWDec 22, 2023
Very cool, @opalmirror !
@ai6yr
Show threadJames Trickle uPDec 23, 2023
@DoomsdaysCW @ai6yr I figure if it is meant to be it is and I'll be active and if not I'm not. Not worrying about it.