Noise Problems - Valueline 435 CFM Fan

[clp]

Hey guys,
Just installed a seperate 6" fan for venting my 1000 W hood and its doing an AMAZING job. This thing is a f*ckin jet engine!
Only problem is the noise. If you put your ear up to the door you can semi hear the humm of the fan.
I don't think it is from the whoosh in the ducting. Its more of a sound coming directly from inside the tent.

It isn't vibrating or shaking at all and seems to be running very smoothly. It's just pulling through so much air that it's running quite loud.
Any suggestions on how to better soundproof the room?
I may be able to create a box around the fan but am not sure if I have quite enough room. Any other suggestions or DIY instructions? Also a muffler in the attic wouldn't fix the problem that much I dont think. The sound is coming from inside the tent.

Thanks IC

 

[Phedrosbenny]

Do you honestly think somebody will be putting their ear to the door?

 

[clp]

Honestly.. No I don't. I'd still like the peace of mind though - there are people going near the room that have no idea what is happening in there; I'd like to keep it that way.

 

[EatMoGrass]

I have a muffler in my tent.
I couldnt imagine running a powerful fan without a muffler either directly attached on inches away from the fan.
I hung my muffler from the top of the tent right where most people hang their filter.
I cannot hang my filter as I use a Can 75 and its way to heavy to hang in my 4x4 tent so it sits on a small table in the back corner of my tent.
I also applied Dynamat automobile sound insulation to the exterior of my Vortex 6" fan.

Sure I give up some floor space with the filter on a small table in the tent but I like using a oversized carbon filter as my plants have been known to funk out a small area with a Can33 or even a Can50 filter.

Here is a pic of my tent with a couple branches still drying. Nevermind all the flypaper...I had a bit of a gnat problem this cycle.

 

[pine boy]

I think a speed controller will let you slow down your fan,reducing the noise.

 

[intotheunknown]

i have...

i have...

that exact fan, with speed controller. the speed controller helps, but not all that much unless you have it down pretty low. which that might be all you need in your case. but unfortunately it is what it is. you could try to insulate the fans casing with dynamat which is sold at automotive stereo installation places like car toys etc. i guarantee that would help out a whole lot. also you could use insulated ducting, which works pretty well to reduce noise.
i also take 2 bungee cords and hook them to the side brackets, tie a knot in the top end and hang it from that. that also helps, depending on how it is mounted, and to what its mounted to.

 

[EatMoGrass]

The smallest box of Dynamat was more that enough to cover my Vortex 6" fan.
The package of Dynamat I bought at Circuit City 3 years ago was called the Dynamat "Wedge Pack". I think it was only about $30. It may have been enough to cover two fans.

My muffler was far more effective but cost me $80. Both the muffler and Dynamat were worth every penny in my opinion.

I also have the speed controller that has already been mentioned here and I recommend one of them also.

 

[j242]

not to hijack but I am about to buy myself a 6" inline and was wondering who makes the quietest one?

 

[clp]

^^ Please make your own post..

I've heard the speed controllers are bad for your fans? Any advice on that one?
That sounds perfect as I definetly do NOT need 435 CFM going through JUST my light. I think that would help with sound quite a bit. Price and effeciency?

 

[Jdizzel]

I use a ball bearing fan its only 240 cfm but its just cooling my 600w hps it works great mounted in the atic with rope inbetween 2 studs, u can bearly hear it at nite. Butthe speed controller sounds like the best idea. Or a timer to run when its less likly that people are around. Good luck and happy venting

 

[PeterPotatoes]

^^ Please make your own post..

I've heard the speed controllers are bad for your fans? Any advice on that one?
That sounds perfect as I definetly do NOT need 435 CFM going through JUST my light. I think that would help with sound quite a bit. Price and effeciency?

I have had a speed control on my vortex and it's been going strong for a over a year ( I put on half speed when lights are off)

Insulated duct will also help reduce noise.

 

[haze_daze]

Get a fan speed controller and some acoustic ducting, they are worth they weight in gold. As my tent is in a bedroom I turn it down to the lowest speed on my Ruck 150 and CF at lights off. Make sure it's voltage stepping or the fan will buzz. Mine never goes over 60% speed and the max temps I have hit so far are 29c under a 600w, although that may change in the summer when I'll switch it up if need be.

http://www.fantronix.com/acatalog/Silent_Fan_Speed_Controller_-_1-Phase.html#aF_2dP12

 

[clp]

Man those damn fan controllers are almost as much as my fan!
Do they or don't they hurt a fans motor over time? I've heard both sides now..

Any specific models you guys would recomend?

 

[smokey117]

wrap ur fan in towels or put it in a boz and add towels inside it it will drop sound to almost nothing i have 2 6inch canfans running full power 24/7 no sound if u wrap them ive been running them for over a yr and no probs just my 2 cents

 

[intotheunknown]

Man those damn fan controllers are almost as much as my fan!
Do they or don't they hurt a fans motor over time? I've heard both sides now..

Any specific models you guys would recomend?

wait, what?! where the hell are you shopping?
there is a speed controller called "the speedster" and its only 25$ at a shop nearby me. i believe CAP makes one for around the same price.
do a little reading about them and your type of fan here:

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...org.mozilla:en-US:official&ndsp=20&tbs=isch:1

 

[EatMoGrass]

I have been using my fan speed controller for about 5 years now and have not had any problems. I usually run it between 65%-90% speed.
The one I have is a generic homemade type(I didn't make it) that only cost me $25 but its probably not UL listed.. I think I may have heard you can use a router speed controller from Harbor Fright for cheep. But that I'm unsure of so look into it before trying it.

 

[intotheunknown]

I have been using my fan speed controller for about 5 years now and have not had any problems. I usually run it between 65%-90% speed.
The one I have is a generic homemade type(I didn't make it) that only cost me $25 but its probably not UL listed.. I think I may have heard you can use a router speed controller from Harbor Fright for cheep. But that I'm unsure of so look into it before trying it.

as a matter of fact, that router speed controller from harbor freight you speak of is the exact speed controller im using, which i believe is identical to the speedster. its also cheaper. i havent had any problems with it yet, but it does make the fan hum at lower speeds. but imo its really not that bad. but if you read the link in my last post it explains things pretty well.

http://www.horrorseek.com/home/halloween/wolfstone/HalloweenTech/dimbuy_SpeedControl.jpg
this is what i have 18$

 

[clp]

Alright, well the real question for me now is whether or not its BAD for my fan. I've read in a couple places that it kills the motor ALOT faster.
I've also read some fans like Vortex etc are able to be speed adjusted due to a unique build. Would my Valueline fan be adjustable?

 

[haze_daze]

If you get a voltage stepping controller they don't damage the brushes as there is no resistance. The buzz or humming sound from the fan using the non voltage stepping controllers is resistance.

You can also box your fan and fill it with foam as it also helps with the noise. As I have my tent in a bedroom which I sleep in I had to take these steps to get a nights sleep. The boxed fan is on the roof of the DR120, nicely supported by the bars underneath and leaves much more space inside.

 

[SELFHEMPLOYED]

I have a muffler in my tent.
I couldnt imagine running a powerful fan without a muffler either directly attached on inches away from the fan.
I hung my muffler from the top of the tent right where most people hang their filter.
I cannot hang my filter as I use a Can 75 and its way to heavy to hang in my 4x4 tent so it sits on a small table in the back corner of my tent.
I also applied Dynamat automobile sound insulation to the exterior of my Vortex 6" fan.

Sure I give up some floor space with the filter on a small table in the tent but I like using a oversized carbon filter as my plants have been known to funk out a small area with a Can33 or even a Can50 filter.

Here is a pic of my tent with a couple branches still drying. Nevermind all the flypaper...I had a bit of a gnat problem this cycle.

Hey man you are seriously compromising the (already) small area of your grow by having that cna 75 in there. Why don't you put it outside the tent and push air through it.

I know what you're going to say "they aren't designed to be pushed through" Well just cut the pre filter off the outside and lay it on the inside instead and you're good to go.

It does not make any sense to sacrafice 1/4 (at least) of your growing area to a carbon filter.

Also to the OP I have a 8in fan attached to a can 66 blowing straight down and out through it with insulated ducting on the intake part of it and I can't hear it 6 feet away. Essentially the carbon filter is your muffler