Cooling Fan Configuration

[chull13]

How do you T5 users (or MH users) keep your bulbs cool? I am in the beginning stages on my canopy design so I need some info. I was thinking of having 2 4" fans on each end of ther canopy but do I want all 4 fans blowing air into the canopy or have fans blowing in on one end and fans pulling air out on the other. I would think this would create a nice draft flow through the canopy. Any input would be appreciated.

Canopy is roughly 18" front to back and roughly 36" long.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[victor626nj]

i have one at each end cooling off the end cap i plan on putting one in the middme as well to keep the whole bulb cool

 

[tnyga]

8 dollar Walmart fan on my sump... 250MH lighting with actinics...halides are mounted in my canopy also....

 

[chull13]

Is it necessary to buy the $30-$40 dollar fans or can I get them cheaper somewhere. What about using just a regular computer fan?

 

[victor626nj]

i would get the antec fans they have a low medium and high speed on high you can here them but on medium or low they are completely silent ....and they come with leds they are about 15 each but worth it imo im going to go with a smaller fan so i wouldnt know what to telly ou about that

 

[chull13]

where do you get them? I am looking @ around 4" fans.

 

[victor626nj]

go to frys ....you allso have to get a ac/dc converter thats another 12 bucks ...but they have a million fans there dude youll find the one thats for you ...you can also ask them to hear how load they are ...im useing a 4 inch fan but will probably end up getting like 4-6 fans that are about 2-3 inches to make sure that the bulbs are really cool

 

[glxtrix]

I got these big fans from radio shack that I'm going to put in my hood. They were 20 a piece or something like that. AC too, so you just needed to wire an electric plug to them. I got those over the smaller computer fans because they move a lot more air. Going to put one on each side of the canopy. The back is open so that will be the venting area. Who knows I might try to put them on the back open portion so i dont have to cut holes in my canopy. Brandon, what do you think about that. I remember awhile back you stating good places to put the fans on your canopy. You think the sides are better or will the back work as well? Other than that, I have a 6" desk fan blowing on my sump thats hooked to a ranco single stage temp controller

 

[chull13]

How big is Big? I was also thinking about mounting to the back of my canopy as mine will be open as well. I just don't want a really tall canopy.

 

[jetchris]

dude ask Jin, he knows a place where you can get those computer fans for around $5

 

[glxtrix]

I think mine are like 4" maybe 5.

 

[mojo]

Check out this page:

http://www.coolerguys.com/sff21.html">http://www.coolerguys.com/sff21.html</a>

I use them to help vent my canopy. 4" and are incredibly quiet.

Also- it's a better configuration to make your fans blow into the canopy and just allow the air to escape somewhere - if you suck air through the fans that's coming from inside the canopy, the salt air will just eat them up...

 

[glxtrix]

hmmm with that said it'll prolly be better to place the fans on the sides rather then on the back....the back might just recirculate salt air....not good.

 

[chull13]

Good point Chris. I don't think of this. So do you guys think 2 fans on each end will be sufficient to keep 6 bulbs cool?

mojo;121483 wrote: Check out this page:

http://www.coolerguys.com/sff21.html">http://www.coolerguys.com/sff21.html</a>

I use them to help vent my canopy. 4" and are incredibly quiet.

Also- it's a better configuration to make your fans blow into the canopy and just allow the air to escape somewhere - if you suck air through the fans that's coming from inside the canopy, the salt air will just eat them up...[/QUOTE]

 

[victor626nj]

if your overdriving no thats why im getting more fans to keep them as cool as possible the ends of my bulbs are cool but the middles are not

 

[mojo]

Depends on how much flow the fans can supply, how many bulbs you have, etc. It's a tradeoff- if you have 10,000 cfm fans, then the bulbs won't get hot, but it'll sound like a tornado.

As far as sound is concerned, it's typically better to go with larger and more fans than smaller, faster ones...

 

[chull13]

These units look pretty cool.

 

[haninja]

<span style="color: black;">Go with the 120mm fans. They are bigger and make less noise. I second Victor's suggestion: Antec fans at Fry's. That is what I http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showpost.php?p=59186&postcount=8">used</a>.</span>
<span style="color: black;">If you have an open back canopy, have both fans pull air in or push out. If you have one pushing in and one pulling out you will only have a one fan worth of air flowing through your canopy. If both are pulling in (or pushing out) then you have 2 fans worth of air circulation,</span>

 

[chull13]

I guess you don't want to blast too much air or evap will be a huge issue.

 

[victor626nj]

ok i went to frys and the fans i mentioned are 20 a pop but well worth it imo ...im gonna see if i find something better before i get them though