FanChief Fan Controller – Setup & User Guide
Wiring, setup, and the parameter reference for the AutoVent FanChief Commercial fan controller. Version 7.
System overview
The FanChief Commercial is designed for easy installation and operation. The system is designed to control variable frequency drives on AmeriWind fans.
This is Section 1, the electrician’s guide for the FanChief system. The system is designed for the unique challenges of HVLS fans.
Main features
The FanChief system provides:
- Automatic control of VFD by time
- Touch screen display
- Up to 9 fans, each with their own speed
- 0–10v output for analog controlled fans
- Modbus output for wireless fans
Installing the FanChief
Consider the following before installing the FanChief:
- Protect the enclosure from moisture – mount it in a secure and dry place.
- Important: only drill holes in the bottom of the enclosures.
- Condensation runs downhill. Drilling holes into the top or upper sides of the enclosure voids the warranty.
Extending the temperature sensor
- Run 18–22 AWG wire (twisted or shielded wire if possible) from the sensor to the FanChief. Keep the sensor wire away from high voltage wire by at least 24 inches / .5 meters. Specifically, keep it away from the VFD output wires.
- Solder or use gel-filled crimps to connect your wires to the temperature sensor.
Wired Modbus FanChief power
The wired Modbus FanChief gets its power from the VFD. At least 1 of the VFDs will need to be powered up. No external power is needed. It should turn on as soon as a VFD has power.
How many fans should I have connected?
In the FanChief’s setup menu, P5 (number of fans) needs to be set to the fan quantity connected to the system. Then make sure each fan’s VFD Modbus address is unique. See below.
Fan’s Modbus addresses
- Fan #1 with an Invertek brand VFD needs to have a Modbus address of 21.
- Fan #2 with an Invertek brand VFD needs to have a Modbus address of 22.
- Fan #3 with an Invertek brand VFD needs to have a Modbus address of 23.
- Fan #4 with an Invertek brand VFD needs to have a Modbus address of 24, and so on.
Home screen & all-fans control
This is Section 2, programming. The home screen controls all fans. It has a main off/on for all fans, and a blank space that takes you to the menu.
If the All Fans Off button is selected, no fans will run and the timers are deactivated. If the All Fans On button is selected, only the enabled fans will run. The timers will be able to enable or disable individual fans.
Time clock for fans
The time parameters allow you to start and stop the fan via a weekly time clock. On the time clock screen you set the day of week the timer applies to, when fans turn on, when fans turn off, and which fans are affected. Press any blank space to exit.
The applicable days and fans applied are selectable. Any combination of fans can start or stop automatically.
Hours are on a 24 hr basis; 0:00 means disabled. There are up to 20 time periods. If there are 9 or more fans, 9 and above will mimic fan 8’s time parameters.
Individual fan page
Each fan has an individual screen with independent speed and direction. The individual fan page shows the selected fan, whether the fan is enabled, the fan’s direction, and the fan’s speed. Change the selected fan by pressing another fan in the bottom row. Press any blank space to exit.
From this area you can also reach the time clock, fan motor data, change date, and change time.
Parameter reference
There are several parameters that you can change. The parameters are labeled P1, P2, and so on. These parameters are the temperature setpoints and values you can adjust. From the menu you can scroll to other parameters and edit each parameter ID.
Fan Hz
The fan Hz scales each fan’s 0–100 percentage to the actual motor hertz or speed. Normally this is preset before the controller is delivered. Don’t think you can run them at unlimited speeds. The actual usable max speed is limited by the fan itself. You can also invert a fan’s rotation with P201 through P219.
| ID | Description | Default | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P161 | Fan 1’s minimum Hertz. | 6 | 1 | 100 |
| P162–179 | Remaining fan’s minimum Hertz. | 6 | 1 | 100 |
| 181 | Fan 1’s max hertz. Hertz command at 100% speed. | 18 | 1 | 255 |
| P182–199 | Remaining fan’s max Hertz. | 100% | 5% | 100% |
| P201 | Fan #1 – invert rotation, i.e. swap Forward & Reverse. 0 = no, 1 = yes. | 0 | 1 | |
| P202–219 | Remaining fan’s direction invert. | 0 | 1 |
Min and Max Hertz for AmeriWind fans (as of Feb 2022)
| Fan | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| 12 ft E series 1hp | 16 hz | 52 hz |
| 14 ft E series 1hp | 10 hz | 40 hz |
| 18 ft E series 1hp | 8.5 hz | 24 hz |
| 18 ft E series 1.5hp | 10 hz | 35 hz |
| 20 ft T series 2hp | 6 hz | 22 hz |
| 24 ft T series 2hp | 6 hz | 18 hz |
Configuration of controller
The setup menu configures the hardware and sensors on the unit. Do not change them unless you understand.
| ID | Description | Default | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P1 | Fahrenheit° or Celsius°. | F | ||
| P5 | Number of fans / zones. | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| P9 | Enable input. If you want an external digital input to turn fan off. 0 = not used, 2 = input 37, 3 = input 34. | 0 | 0 | 34 |
| P11 | Cost per KW for electric, for fan data. | 10 | 1 | 255 |
| P14 | Min voltage for 0–10v output, when fan is at slow speed. | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| P15 | Max voltage for 0–10v, when fan is at full speed. | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| P19 | Reset to defaults. Set to zero to reset the entire unit. Don’t do this unless you know what you are doing. | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Specifications
| Size of enclosure | Nominal 5″ H x 7″ W x 3″ D |
|---|---|
| Input voltage | FCT-1AC = 120–240vac; FCT-1 = 24vdc |
| Output | 2 normally open relays, pilot duty; 1 (0–10v) signal; Modbus wireless |
| Warranty | 1 year |