The ultimate beginner's guide to PC FANS

[PACKERBACKER]

I found a super strong fan with adjustable controller.

Airflow-Max. 72.91CFM
Static Pressure -Max. 13.78mmH2O

http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_spec.php?pno=fm81&area=usa

I have a question also though. My grow area is only going to be 12(l) x 7(w) x 15(h). Will this type of fan get rid of all smell(with a diy carbon scrubber of course)? I will be using some of my Apollo 11 clones also which aren't too smelly to begin with.

I spent the majority of this weekend looking for a new fan and came across the same one by silverstone. I can't find where to buy it though. I have a 20 cubic ft space and the same question as CARE giver. Is this enough fan w/a scrubber?

 

[ScrubNinja]

Hi chaps. I haven't used or even thought about pc fans or any fans for a long time. But I think that silverstone is around about the same specs as the thermaltake I was using, and as such, one could say that it should (or could) be enough for the average micro grow. Care Giver, yes for a tiny space like that it should be in the ballpark assuming you get everything else right and aren't running 600w of CFL lol. Packerbacker, that seems like a fairly large cab in comparison, so if you were running a fairly large amount of lighting, or in a hot room, or had undersized intakes, or whatever else, you may be disappointed.

I actually wanted to buy silverstones at one stage but the store ran out and didn't restock. I like that they are white as standard. I can recommend ebay as a good source for fans.

Best of luck

 

[cloneX]

I have a Delta Brushless Fan Model AFC0912DE
DC 12v 2.50A -SP03
It has four wires Blue White Black Red
I have only been able to get it to spin with black & red and then it only seems to pulse, by spinning up then stopping before starting again, how can I keep it spinning all the time, or is this model useless for growing? Thanks for any help, wondering why it has four wires and not just two?

 

[ScrubNinja]

CloneX, I think you need to hook it up to a PWM speed controller..

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=411817

D=speed controlled externally by pwm controller

The same guy noted elsewhere speed problems when hooked up the usual way. I've always avoided PWM so I can't tell ya much more, but good luck.

 

[googolsack]

Please just ignore me if this is irrelevant, as i haven't read much of this thread, but some hydroponics stores on ebay sell computer type fans of different powers, and they have a power plug and cord connected.
I don't like playing with wires and such.

 

[Secretweapon]

Please just ignore me if this is irrelevant, as i haven't read much of this thread, but some hydroponics stores on ebay sell computer type fans of different powers, and they have a power plug and cord connected.
I don't like playing with wires and such.

those are prob DC fans

 

[mrbolloks]

Im looking for a little input on this fan I ripped from a small space heater.

I took out the heater parts and was left with a sturdy, steel framed, ball bearing fan that has a dial for speed control. It was designed to blow through a one inch thick radiator that heated up. It blows lots of air on max and is loud as hell, which isnt really an issue for me. I cant find a thing on the internet about the fan and was wondering if any of you could give me an estimate on what kind of CFM and pressure rating this fan might have (judging from the info on the fan in the pic).

Its 4 3/4" across and 1 1/2" thick

 

[Jenn]

Hello all

This is a great pc fan thread. I bought a fan a few years back when I needed one from - buyextras.com

They sell fans and blowers already wired so you dont have to mess with anything. If you have the parts laying around then knock yourself out but if you just want to buy something ready to go then I suggest this place.

Here is a picture of the one I bought, I really dont remember much about it, but it was quiet and had a pretty strong breeze.

Happy growing - Jenn

 

[gloryoskie]

Anyone using Noctua brand fans. I like them, very quiet and powerful.

 

[Derka]

I recently added a Scythe Katana 120mm fan (12dc, .06 amp 120 cfm+) I have been using these fans for several years. They are fantastic, move an incredible amount of air, they are solidly built, respond well to a fan controller.

The fan is attached to the side of an open reflector, held on by a pressure fitting, sort of hard to explain. Anyways, as I was raising the reflector this morning, in part to the blinding brilliance of a 400 watt hps, my index finger got caught in the blades. I got about an inch wide gouge that opened up to the bone, and 5 sutures.

This is a plastic fan, not a metal one. So guys, as a plea, learn from my dumb mistake, if your hands go close to those fans, just turn them off.

 

[mrbolloks]

I just got a Delta AFB1212GHE - CF00 fan and when I bought it I was under the impression that it was 2.45amps but upon arrival I see its actually 3.24amps. Ive ordered a Sunbeam PL-RS-3 Rheosmart 3 fan controller but Im afraid it doesnt have the amps (30w per channel, 12 volts, 30 divided by 12 = 2.5 amps). Now if I hook this big bastard up to the fan controller with only 2.5 amps, Im going to burn out the fan controller right?

Or...

will it work at 2.5 amps and just "under amp" the fan? Is that safe?

I would like to not burn my house down (or my 30 dollar fan) so any answers would be greatly appreciated

Ive also got a 600w 3amp ceiling fan dial controller but again its only 3amps


EDIT
OK so the 3.24amps listed on the fan is apparently the startup amperage? Im quite confused now. Newegg has it listed as 2.45 amps, the sticker on the fan says 3.24, and Ive just been told by a cooling guy that the amperage on the sticker is the amps used to start it up (should run at 2.45 amps)

Can anyone confirm that?

BTW, at 256 cfm, this thing is a fucking monster. Keep all fingers AWAY from the blades with this one and make sure everything is strapped down. It gives my big ass box fan a run for its money!

 

[trichogg]

Im using pc fans in my grows now, and 12v fans work great.

 

[smittymac]

second best post I've come across on IC. PC grower

 

[Dion]

hey ninja, what the latest and greatest in micro grow fans?

delta? ac?

what do you recomend for 3 cubit feet of space?

also is it possible to use pc fans with a carbon scrubber? (can lite)
stacking them perhaps?

thanks

 

[Dion]

 

[grouchy]

I tried different methods of attaching scrubbers to pc fans and the best way I found was a push/pull set up.

It uses a plastic container with a carbon layer and two fans. One mounted to the lid and the other mounted to the bottom of the container. The lid mounted fan is secured to my cabinet and its not removable. The container uses some aluminum mesh and polyester filter cloth to support the carbon horizontally and can easily be refilled.

It could probably work vertically mounted as well but you want to make sure the carbon doesn't settle and create gaps.

You can adjust the amount of carbon and speed of the fans to achieve the best performance.

 

[Budracer]

I save all those little annoying low voltage transformers from old cordless phones, kids toys, walkies talkies what have you anyways then I hook it up to a light dimmer and whala fan speed controller

 

[grouchy]

I found a pic of my filter set up

 

[Dion]

thanks guys

 

[Kaskadian]

This thread is a fantastic source of information for us micro growers. I'm surprised that this thread hasn't been stickied (hint hint mods). Thanks for all the hard work and contributions guys.

Kas