WTB: Fans

djyox · 01-17-2005, 04:01 AM

I wouldn't mind getting some 4" fans for my hood, and also like one or two smaller sized house fan types.

I can pick the 4" fans up at radio shack for $25 but can't find other house fans. I guess they arn't a big seller this time of year...

Anyhow, if anyone has something laying around, let me know...

Twins Guy · 01-17-2005, 09:35 AM

hey nick-check out http://www.silenx.com-super i just picked up a couple small ones from them for nano applications and they're awesome-quietest fan i've used...but i'm sure you'd be happy with their larger (92 or 120mm) fans too. you might have to wait til spring on the housefans. i have a 10" "turbo" black honeywell fan that's pretty solid-used for a month or two-say $5. if you're interested...
tg

djyox · 01-17-2005, 09:42 AM

actualy I am interested, I can't find fans anywhere, it 10" would actualy work nicely under the tank. Do I get a discount because I work next door to Honeywell?

I'll check out the site!

djyox · 01-17-2005, 09:44 AM

I wonder what would fit my hood....?? its already got the holes drilled, so maybe I need to wait to get home to figure it out, but looks like the same cost everywhere for these things ehh?

Fahz · 01-17-2005, 10:19 AM

Go with the Vantec 120mm stealth fans. they are 12v and really quiet low dBA is the key, also come in smaller sizes. I have two in my MH canopy and the temp stays steady all day. So quiet you have to check to see they are on. All you need is a 12v adaptor and they are cheap and easy to find. I have been picking adaptors up at the surplus store for $2 each.

http://www.bestbyteinc.com/products....9&pagenumber=2

Fahz

Twins Guy · 01-17-2005, 11:15 AM

the vantecs are 20dB, the silenx are 11 or 14dB. but the silenx do move less air. for my uses that's better-less evaporation, electricity and they still exhaust the heat. but if you need some evaporative cooling the vantecs might be better. many ways to skin a cat.
tg

Fahz · 01-17-2005, 04:58 PM

Heres some information on fan noise that you may find good reading. The Vantec's are only $11 and do the job and move some air. The power consumption is 1/4 amp at 12 volts and evaporation is a part of the cooling process.

Fahz

How do decibels relate to sound level?

The human ear's response to sound level is roughly logarithmic (based on powers of 10), and the dB scale reflects that fact. An increase of 3dB doubles the sound intensity but a 10dB increase is required before a sound is perceived to be twice as loud. Therefore a small increase in decibels represents a large increase in intensity. For example - 10dB is 10 times more intense than 1dB, while 20dB is 100 times more intense than 1dB. The sound intensity multiplies by 10 with every 10dB increase. Following is a list of dB readings from various sources to act as a non-scientific point of reference:

130dB - Jack Hammer (at 5ft)
120dB - Loud Rock Music (Also the pain threshold)
110dB - Riveter or a Heavy Truck at 50ft
100dB - Very Loud Classical Music
90dB - Heavy Traffic (at 5ft)
80dB - Heavy Traffic (at 40ft)
70dB - Department Store or a Noisy Office
60dB - Quiet Residential Street or background music
50dB - Light Traffic or an Average Residence
40dB - Very Soft Music
30dB - Quiet Auditorium
20dB - Faint Whisper (at 5ft)
10dB - Leaves rustling or a soundproof room / anechoic chamber

There are a number of factors that can contribute to the relative noisiness of a fan. In terms of raw numbers our fans are tested in free air (zero static pressure) with the noise sensor positioned one meter from the outlet side of the fan. There are several factors that could affect the noise characteristics of your fan and make it seem louder than it is... or needs to be:

1. Inadequate venting can increase the noise produced by a fan. The reason that this is so is simple: the efficiency of the fan is degraded by having to overcome a pressure differential. It decreases the effectiveness of the impeller, causes noise (dB) to increase and causes Airflow (CFM) to drop. Increasing the vent area to 1.5x the fan venturi (the big hole in the middle) should alleviate the noise if this is the problem.

2. Airflow obstructions can also increase fan noise. If there is an obstacle such as a PC board or light ballast within an inch or two of the fan inlet or outlet and directly in the airstream this can cause a localized increase (between the impeller and the obstruction) in static pressure. The effect is the same as if there was inadequate venting generally and can cause an increase in noise.

3. Vibration can also cause fan noise to increase. Often this is due to loose mounting screws. Other times it is caused by the fan being mounted on a thin metal, laminate or wooden surface. The fan will vibrate against the surface and the surface can act like a sound board, amplifying otherwise soft noise. This problem can often be solved by adding plastic or rubber grommets between the fan and mounting surface and which are commonly available at most home improvement stores.

4. Rattles, hums, squeals or clicking are usually balance or bearing issues. If your fan is a few years old and has been run more or less continuously the bearings may simply be worn out. If your fan has been running for less than 12 months and you experience any of these problems you should arrange for a replacement from the place where you purchased it (assuming that the unit has not been mishandled in some way).

tico mike · 01-17-2005, 05:36 PM

Funny...Loud Classical Music always sounds MUCH louder to me than that.

simonbos · 01-17-2005, 07:34 PM

ABC Electronics in downtown Minneapolis has a good supply of fans.

Skipponator · 01-17-2005, 07:55 PM

I just picked up 6 fans for $5 each, I guess the place in town has loads of them he said. Dunno how quiet they are since I havn't hooked them up yet. If anyone wants any I can bring some down in a couple weeks and drop them off somewhere.

reeftanktime · 01-17-2005, 08:50 PM

Need to add:
140db - 5 year old and 3 yr old stuck inside on a cold winter day.
0db - sound of Viking fans after losing to the Eagles.

clownfishcrazy · 01-17-2005, 09:10 PM

Dennis you forgot to add:
200db - Pack of disgruntled vikings fans beating up a packer fan.

Fahz · 01-17-2005, 09:19 PM

Cheap fans are just that, cheap, know what your buying or listen to the noise. This goes for football fans also Lets face it the vikes just didn't have it but they did put the packers in there place.

Fahz

djyox · 01-18-2005, 01:34 AM

here we go on the vikes again....jesh....

besides, nothing else matters after we beat the packers.....that is what most vike fans live for...

Fahz · 01-18-2005, 01:47 AM

My point is people buy cheap loud cooling fans then b***h about the noise do you want a jet engine or something quiet. I have a coralife fixture that use to sound like a jet engine starting every morning until I changed out the piece of crap fan. Now you can't tell the fan is running. I also had a Icecap 3" fan that was not worth the price and noisy. Thoughts on the Vikings come free of charge.

Fahz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fahz

Cheap fans are just that, cheap, know what your buying or listen to the noise. This goes for football fans also Lets face it the vikes just didn't have it but they did put the packers in there place.

Fahz