Powerfans VTX800 Vortex 739 CFM Powerfan, 8",Silver

This review is of the Vortex Powerfans VTX800 Vortex 747 CFM Powerfan, 8"In search of an 8" wind tunnel? Here it is. This thing is a beast! Realistically, it's a commercial/industrial product, and overkill for most residential applications. However, if you are like me, you enjoy going to extremes when you build things. If that sounds like you, read on.UNDERSTAND what you are buying before you purchase! I suspect most people who have posted negative reviews did so because this product did not meet their needs or expectations. In a nutshell, this fan is similar to FanTech's centrifugal fan design, however it is a modified centrifugal design. It incorporates reverse angled blades on the intake side and parallel fixed blades on the exhaust end, resulting in a tighter cone vs. typical centrifugal designs, and an air stream that more closely resembles the output of mixed use fan types. It is NOT a mixed flow fan. It doesn't have the parts nor the room internally to twist the air quite the way that mixed use fans do, but as I said it resembles mixed use fans in terms of how the Vortex VTX800 slightly modifies the air stream output at the exhaust point.NoiseRelatively quiet for a high-output centrifugal style fan. I would not call it, "quiet," but it's not a jet-engine either. Installed in an attic or another room, you should be fine for most uses if you are not running it on full power all the time. I don't have a sound meter, but I'd guesstimate ~50db at 1 meter. The air pushed by the fan also makes noise simply because you are creating a wind tunnel.Pros> Excellent build quality> 10-year warranty> Powerful output (rated 747 CFM may be an understatement, measured at the exhaust point)> AMCA Certified (Air Movement and Control Association International)> Solid, metal construction> Powder-coated, sealed metal surface (won't rust)> Stainless steel blades and other interior parts> Permanently sealed bearings> Noise> UL, ETL listedCons> NEMA-15 power cord (could be pro or con; for my use a con)> Permanently wiring requires re-wiring the device; unclear if that impacts warranty> Expensive compared with similar products (e.g. iPower is less than 1/2 the cost, but offers only 1-year warranty)Shipping & Packaging Comments> Amazon's fulfillment center shipped it double-boxed, which is good. Even though this is a very tough-built fan, lots of things are prone to damage in transit (especially if your products arrive via UPS)A number of compatible rheostats also sold on Amazon will allow you to adjust the fan speed in real-time, such as KB Electronics 8811012 Solid State Variable Speed AC Electric Motor Control, 5.0 Max amp, 115V, # K177-1005 for hard-wired installs, or Active Air ACSC Duct Fan Speed Adjuster if you'll be using the NEMA plug the fan comes with. Make sure any controller is rated for use with motors and supports at least 2 amps @ 120vac. These work by modulating the power provided to the fan. If you use one, you will need to experiment to determine the lowest input level of current before the fan stalls. Just above the stall point is your minimum setting. Where that is will vary based on the fan and the speed controller combination.Q: Why should I this when I can buy an iPower for less than 1/2 the price???A: Modified centrifugal type in-line duct fan means the Vortex VTX800 will do a better job of directing air flow further (straight line) versus a typical centrifugal fan. It's behavior more closely resembles a mixed use fan. Solid metal construction. No plastic. Heavy. Permanently sealed bearings. Very smooth bearing operation (no noise, little friction). Takes nearly 3 minutes for the blade to stop spinning after full power (wow)!Durability and 10-year warranty. To save money, buy the iPower in-line duct fan (which is centrifugal) for <1/2 the price . If you want a bulletproof fan, buy the Vortex.Word of CautionSome reviewers advise installing a grate at the intake. I strongly advise against doing that. If you have to worry about things getting sucked into this fan, you should probably reconsider using it. In the event something gets sucked up and either stuck inside or has potentially damaged the fan, it is easy to disassemble it (see photo with screws on side of the case).

Ordered 12in came with no speed controller. False advertising

Woah. This is a seriously powerful fan. It is relatively quiet given how powerful it is, but I suggest you install it inline (if possible) away from the room it's being used in to reduce noise. Really make sure you anchor it down -- and consider putting a thin layer of insulation/foam mat (like a yoga mat would work) between the fan and the floor/ceiling joist that you're attaching it to. This will cut down on the vibration noise as well. It's so powerful that you need to get a grate on the opening so that nothing gets sucked up into the fan. We were doing a bathroom remodel, and put paper/blue tape around the opening in the bathroom to prevent paint from getting on the duct work. We then turned on the fan to pull the paint fumes out. The fan sucked the paper right up into it! So, secure things that get close to it.

Nice fan, did the job well. Just like a few have said, it wasn't shipped with the speed controller. Amazon has this company confused with an optical company of the same name! So I wasn't able to talk to the company and have them correct the problem. Amazon was quick to offer me money back! More than I would have expected!

Screw came loose from fan, knocked it off balance and broke the cast metal neck. Only 3 months of use and it catastrophically failed. Bought another one because customer service is in Canada and good luck getting ahold of Amazon. I'll try the new one and post an update if anything happens. So far not soo good for this fan, but maybe it was just bad qa/qc

The Vortex fan was supposed to be shipped with a control box but wasn't. The fan took forever to get here, like three weeks. Probably due to winter storms. When I notified the company that they forgot the controller they shipped the box out immediately. The 10" Vortex fan is very high quality construction and I believe will last forever. I use it for a through-wall application to transfer heat from one part of the house to the other. The fan keeps the old drafty house pretty consistent. When it's on high it sounds like a jet and can really move the air, but a bit too noisy to run constantly. On low, I wouldn't call it whisper quiet but it is sufficiently quiet to run non-stop.

Love the fan. I sent a message that no speed controller was included and got a form letter response for a product return. Ended up buying my own. Great product, lackluster seller.

I used this fan to build an indoor swamp cooler for my garage. Using this fan, a 44 gallon trash can, pond pump, cheap fencing, and evaporative cooler media, I was able to keep my garage much cooler than I expected. I bought a controller for the fan and usually run it at half speed, which only pulls ~185 watts.How loud is it? When holding it, with no ducting connected, it is just a deep hum. My ductwork is a bit noisy at full speed, but that is to be expected with the 90 degree bend. I can still hold a conversation a few feet from it without the need to raise my voice.