Martin Lishman Ltd

Automatic Fan Control VS Manual Fan Control in Grain Stores

Barn Owl Wireless automatic fan controllers installed in a grain store.

Missed cooling opportunities can put grain quality at risk, while running fans for too long can waste energy. Automatic fan controllers remove the guesswork by monitoring ambient conditions and operating only when conditions are suitable.

This helps cut down on manual checks, reduce unnecessary energy use and maintain more consistent conditions within the store, giving you greater confidence that your grain is being cooled effectively, even when you are not there.

Feature
Automatic Fan Control
Manual Fan Control
Fan operation
Automatic Control
✓ Automatically switches fans on and off when suitable conditions are detected
Manual Control
× Fans must be switched on and off manually by the operator
Cooling opportunities
Automatic Control
✓ Responds whenever suitable cooling air becomes available, including overnight
Manual Control
× Short or unexpected cooling opportunities can easily be missed
Condition monitoring
Automatic Control
✓ Continuously compares crop and ambient conditions against the chosen settings
Manual Control
× Relies on periodic checks and the operator making the correct decision
Energy efficiency
Automatic Control
✓ Helps prevent fans running when conditions are unsuitable or no longer beneficial
Manual Control
! Fans may be left running for longer than necessary, increasing energy use
Crop protection
Automatic Control
✓ Provides more consistent control to support crop cooling and long-term storage quality
Manual Control
! Inconsistent operation can delay cooling or introduce unsuitable air into the crop
Time and labour
Automatic Control
✓ Reduces routine checks, unnecessary journeys and out-of-hours visits
Manual Control
× Requires regular visits to inspect conditions and operate the fans
Response time
Automatic Control
✓ Responds as soon as conditions move within or outside the selected limits
Manual Control
× Action may be delayed until conditions are next checked
Health and safety
Automatic Control
✓ Reduces unnecessary visits to the store, particularly during darkness, poor weather or outside normal working hours
Manual Control
! Frequent access to the store, climbing heaps and opertating electrical control
Consistency
Automatic Control
✓ Uses the same control parameters every time, regardless of who is on site
Manual Control
! Decisions can vary between operators and may be affected by other workloads

Consider adding automatic control to your store today. 

Learn More About Our Automatic Fan Controllers

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