How to Reduce Fan noise?

element2k10

element2k10

Well-Known Member
Hey guys i have a 6inch inline fan and i was wondering what can i do to reduce the noise from that fan because its very loud i have this this foam thats about 1 1/2 inches thick would i be able to wrap this foam around the inline fan and parts of the duct to keep it quiet or will it start a fire?
 
bobilu

bobilu

Well-Known Member
I got the same prob. I got one of those 6" Vortex fans and it's louder than shit. I'm gonna encase it in that spay foam this weekend. I'll let you know the results.
 
shepj

shepj

Oracle of Hallucinogens
a couple options.. run to your local fabric store, they sell this foam that looks like plywood.. only foam! It's all speckled (horribly ugly) I think it may be used before putting down a wood floor? Found it! it's called "Rebond" foam.

They also make soundproofing foam, a (generally) more cost efficient alternative to dynamat. Make sure the fitting between your grow box and the fan are tight, throw some tape in between the joints or use some caulk (to eliminate any rattling, and also will help muffle it).

Ah, another one is called Neoprene foam (maybe acoustic foam?) Much cheaper than brand name bullshit:
http://www.foambymail.com/Foam%20By%20Mail.data/neoprene.jpg

The soundproofing foam looks like this: http://www.foambed.com/merchant/images/eggcrate1.jpg

The "horribly ugly speckled" (a.k.a rebond foam):
http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/images/foamtype_1.jpg

Dynamat:
http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/ca/reviews/20040217/dynamat2a.jpg
 
element2k10

element2k10

Well-Known Member
i have the sound proofing foam except its yellow does the color make a diff it looks exactly the same...? will i still be able to use it just wrap it around the inkline and the duct and is this a fire hazard?
 
shepj

shepj

Oracle of Hallucinogens
element2k10 said:
i have the sound proofing foam except its yellow does the color make a diff it looks exactly the same...? will i still be able to use it just wrap it around the inkline and the duct and is this a fire hazard?
Click to expand...
Does color matter? Are you racist? lol i'm jp. Nah I don't think the color makes a difference dude.

A fire hazard? Assuming it is not close to uour lighting, no, but your ventilation will need to be efficient, as the foam will be sealing the joints much tighter than before.. so you don't want your box to overheat! Most of the heat is used in cars or housing appliances, they can take some heat.
 
element2k10

element2k10

Well-Known Member
im not going to be using the inline for the growbox it is going to ventilate my cooltube it is 160cfm free air flow and 250 boosted then there will be 1 foot of duct between the tube and the inline and another 3 feet from the inline to the outside. will this foam insulate it and help dampen the noise alot? is 160 cfm to much for a box that is 2x2x4?
 
shepj

shepj

Oracle of Hallucinogens
element2k10 said:
im not going to be using the inline for the growbox it is going to ventilate my cooltube it is 160cfm free air flow and 250 boosted then there will be 1 foot of duct between the tube and the inline and another 3 feet from the inline to the outside. will this foam insulate it and help dampen the noise alot? is 160 cfm to much for a box that is 2x2x4?
Click to expand...
Ahh.. all right then. I would imagine it will muffle the fan a bit. I have never tried, but I would imagine it will help.

"The formula for Cubic feet is:
length × width × height"

You have 16 cubic feet, your fan clears out 160 cubic feet per minute.
To be honest, your fan is a little excessive, you could've made due with a computer fan.
 
pinspot

pinspot

Well-Known Member
First off, How do you have the fan mounted? Is the noise problem from vibration, or from the actual wooshing sound of the air? Theres a couple things you can do. If vibration is problem the problem, just hang it with bundgees. If it's the noise from the air movement, you can put a speed controller on the fan. You can pick one up at Harber freight for less than $20. They call it a router speed controller. it's exactly the same controller the grow shops sell, but for much less.
 
pinspot

pinspot

Well-Known Member
element2k10 said:
its the vibrations from the fan im going to suspend it from bungees and then wrap it in the silencer foam
Click to expand...
No need to wrap it in foam. Just by hanging it from the bungees will eliminate the vibration noise, and once the duct hose is attached, the fan itself should be quiet. The only thing you should be hearing is the air movement.
 

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shepj

shepj

Oracle of Hallucinogens
The suspended fan looks a little ghetto, but props on the simple design without having to dish out $$$ on shit.
 
waldocat420

waldocat420

Well-Known Member
i know a 4" vortex is a lot quieter than a 6", but in my 1br condo it was pretty freakin loud when plugged in. I purchased a speedster fan control for about $30, and i was surprised how well it works. . i dont need mine on high, which is the defualt setting so its on low most of the time. . its so quiet now. . if you dont need your fan full blast i would consider one..
 
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