***Last updated on June 18, 2004***

OK, just finished reading through 10 pages of the fan section and about 20% actually relates to different fan types so here's a list that I made after collecting everyone's posts. I have placed links for each fan but of course shop around for the cheapest place. Also these are in order based on dB (noise output)

Brand............................CFM...........dB...........Volt...........Price........Bearing Type
ThermalTake Thunder....78.............21............12.............$9.99.......Sleeve Bearing
Evercool PCAC...............100...........23............12.............$16.50.......Dual Ball Bearing ONLY SHIPS IN AUSTRALIA
Evercool PCAC...............100...........23............12.............$9.99.......Dual Ball Bearing
Aluminum 120mm..........80.............29............12.............$15.00.......Ball Bearing
Antec 75003.................79.............29.8..........12............$12.99.......Ball Bearing
Kingwin F-012BB...........79.14........30.............12............$6.99........Dual Ball Bearing
Enermax UC-12FAB-B....94.92........30.1..........12............$12.05.......Dual Ball Bearing
Evercool........................84.5..........31..............12............$9.99.......Ball Bearing
ThermalTake.................78.............34.............12............$8.99........1 Ball & 1 Sleeve
Panaflo M1A Fan............85.5.........35.5.........12.............$11.95.......Hydro Wave?
Ultra Cool......................89.............36............12.............$11.00.......Dual Ball Bearing
Speeze 12025S1M3/4...78.34.........37............12............$4.69.......Sleeve Bearing
PC Toys ThermoMaxx.....92.............39............12............$9.95........Dual Ball Bearing
Artic #Kest-471BW........112...........40............120...........$14.50.....Ball Bearing
Artic #Kest-471SW........112...........40............120...........$12.85.....Sleeve Bearing
Delta 120x38mm...........108...........41.3.........12.............$15.00.......Ball Bearing
Sunon 120x38mm.........108...........42.............12............$8.99........Ball Bearing
SilverStone...................103............44............12.............$19.99.......Dual Ball Bearing
Sunon 120x25mm.........90.............44.5..........12............$16.00.......Dual Ball Bearing
YS Tech 120x25mm.......105...........45............12.............$13.00.......Dual Ball Bearing
YS Tech 120x38mm.......125...........45............12.............$15.00.......Dual Ball Bearing
NMB 4715KL-04W-B49...118...........46.5.........12.............$9.99........Dual Ball Bearing?
ThermalTake A2018.......93.7.........46.5..........12.............$14.05.......1 Ball & 1 Sleeve
Delta FFB1212VHE........151.85.......53.............12............$21.95.......Dual Ball Bearing?
FrozenCPU 172mm........260............55.............12............$29.99........Ball Bearing

And no I don't know a way to setup columns so I improvised. Also all the fans above are just basic fans EXCEPT the following:
Enermax UC-12FAB-B has Manual Speed Control
PC Toys ThermoMaxx has Thermal Speed Control
SilverStone SST-FMC3XW has Manual Speed Control
ThermalTake A2018 has both Manual and Thermal Speed Control

*Specs may not be correct because it's getting late so correct me on anything you notice that is incorrect, also each site has different specs even with the same model number I will make changes to this list as others post with additions/corrections so that everything is in one post.

Thanks ScOrPiOn

The arctic's are 112cfm, not 120

Thanks xanderphillips, it is now updated. However the link I have posted shows 120CFM so not too sure on what the actual rating is but it's only a difference of 8 so it doesn't really matter


No problem Brain. Also just noticed I'm at Fanatic status now...went by quick

As few people will bother reading your last line, about updating as needed, may I suggest adding a tag at the beginning of your post?

***Last updated on May 18, 2004*** for example.




Oh and congratulations on being a Fan-atic. Quite a coincidence, isn't it? Heh heh.

Nice idea Tony, consider it done.

Hi, I've just come across this site that sells fans that have been specifically chosen for their low decibel ratings. Check out www.endpcnoise.com

What about 115 volt fans? Does anybody know where to get them, or should I use a case fan and power supply from an old computer. I'd rather use a 115 volt fan I could just plug in to an outlet I put in my box.

AL_B

Radio Shack has them but they're over priced and under spec. Do a Google search for 120 volt 120mm fan.

or do what i did -

if you got or can find an old microwave tear it apart and get the fan out - mine is pretty big i would have to say around 120mm - dont know the cfm - but its pushes air really good - kinda lound - but i can turn up my 2 15" jbl's (mids highs) and two 10" jbl subs - cant hear the fan after that -

Al_B,

Here's where I got one. It's fan part number CF-154 - 120 VAC 120MM SQUARE COOLING FAN for $13 bucks. Been running about a month, no problems so far.

They have a lot of other odds and ends too... like FS-10 - 10A 3AG FUSE, or a FHBL-41 - 4-POSITION AGC FUSE BLOCK, SNAPPABLE, for switches take a look at LRS-17 - 120 VAC LIGHTED ROCKER, and lots of splices, connectors, etc.

In case the link doesn't work, go to allelectronics.com and search for the part number.

Artic 120mm, 120vac

hth,
Mark

Mark,
Thanks for the link. I did some more research and decided to go with the one on your link. I was happy with the 120 cfm rating, which is why I went with the one you are using. I'm holding my breath on the decible rating though.

Again, Thanks

Al

Your welcome,

Actually, I think Brain pointed to that link first... maybe months ago. I just found it like you.

I like the fan.. keeps the LCD in the mid to low 80s.

Mark

Nice dBs rating but not enough CFMs...unless you increase number of fans

How does this one look, I found it at PC case gear in Australia (www.pccasegear.com)


Evercool PCAC

The Evercool PCAC exhausts up to 100CFM of hot air from the front of the case. This unique blower is intended for use in cramped cases where the airflow is restricted, and it is difficult to install additional case fans. The PCAC is quiet in operation and features fan speed adjustment via an easily accessible knob.

Features

First unique turbine lateral cross-flow fan design, high air flow volume provides up to 100 CFM which allows the blower to dispense large volume of heat.
Classical appearance for the case shows the quality of the blower.
Fits Standard 5.25" Drive Bay
Dual Ball bearing (longer life expectancy)

Specifications

Outer Dimension: 82x80x67.2mm
Fan Dimension: 80x80x25 mm
Current: 0.07A ~ 0.13A
Fan Speed: 1100 ~ 3000 rpm
Airflow: 53.2 ~ 100 CFM
Noise: Lo< 21 , HI<23dBA
Voltage: 12V


$16.50
inc GST within Australia

Cool

Damn.

I just cut the hole for my 120mm fan!! That things looks excellent, 23db at 100CFM....
If my Jaycar 47db is too noisy I'll be getting one of these!

Of course, it shouldn't be too noisy inside a coffee table anyway.

Cheers,
Arkay.

Nice find Toker.

Here is the actual link for the fan HERE


I don't think they ship out of Australia though

I'll add it to the list though.

U.S. source here. and on sale for $9.99!

Thanks Rorshach for the link...I added it into the list.

Also you can search on Ebay for "Evercool Air Conditioner" and find the clear blue models being sold for $9.99 and you can pay with Paypal

Could this unit work to power up the lamp and the LCD just siting under a cabinte?

http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/NX-4090.html?id=78gC8Tdb

I dotnt hink it will power the lamp - but might want to wait for someone else to answer

You need a ballast to power the lamp. The ballast runs on 120v.

I have a question about wiring up the case fan.. How do i get the 120 coming in to 12V? do I have to put in a cpu power supply to convert it? Sorry I am a newbe trying to learn.
thanks..
Looked thru the forum more and found my answer..

Hi DeBo,

You can use the CPU power supply (some have), but you may want to go to a smaller "wall wort" type power supply.

Mark

Yep, like RCL said, a computer power supply would work, you could use a simple AC/DC converter (wall wort), or you could just use a 120VAC fan (Like the ever-popular Arctic) and eliminate the need for a converter...

Has anyone tried the evercool fan yet? I was thinking about buying it.
I'm undecided which to go with.. Standard 120mm or this new fan..

I'm a little concerned the plastic on the evercool might melt since it's
designed for a 5.25" bay. It also looks a little harder to mount in the box.

But I do like the low dba with the high cfm.

I'd like to hear from anyone who has tried it

Dave..

Hi everybody (My first post in this forum)

I have been looking for some quiet fans to my computer before. And the best fans that I found for the job were from SilenX.

Yes I know that they are expensive and that we would need two of them to use it for the projector. But I think that it would be worth it. And when I will be building my thats probably what I will go for.

Here is a link to there web site.

http://www.silenx.com/productcart/pc/confi...=3&idproduct=76

Specifications:
Fan Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 25mm
Fan Input: 12V/1.2W
Fan Speed: 1800 RPM
Air Flow: 58 CFM
Noise Level: 14 dBA
Three Pin Connector
Four Pin Connector

I have used SilenX fans for my PCs and they are great. I was hoping to use one for my projector but I was concerned that 58 cfm might be a little low. If it is, I wouldn't hesitate to add 2 fans, because they'd still be a whisper.

Nice to hear from someone that owns it

I am planing on bying the 120 mm fan. And from what I have read on the net about SilenX they seam to do the quitest stuff that is out there for computers.

I might also bye a powersuply from the for my computers, but that is a bitt of a maybe for the moment.

Just got off the phone with allelectronics.com, and they are out of the Artic fans. The website shows them as being in stock, but the customer service rep said they were out. She didn't know when they would be back in stock. Bummer-

I got mine from ebay summaelectronics.. Quick shipment!! here is a link
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=3826060350

check it out

sorry if this is a dumb question...

i just received my artic fan and i cant figure out which wire is positive and which is negative... can i just try it out and see if it works or will that ruin my fan...?

thank you,
joon

Although I don't have a link handy, I remember reading somewhere in the forums that you can wire up the artic either way and it will spin correctly. This is different from some other fans, where if you wire it up incorrectly, the fan will spin backwards.

-Oloff

Here is another that I did not see on the list.

http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/nexus120mm.html

120mm 22.8 db
$20

I have not tried it, but I am going to order it and see how it does. I have a fan now that is way to loud.

Corbett

Joonietang,

The arctic fan is 120V AC. There is no polarity on alternating current. Wire it up either way and the airflow will be as the arrow on the case indicates.

Cmessa,
From the looks of the airflow in the chart you will almost definitely need two of these fans to keep the projector cool. Nice noise level but making room for two 120mm fans may be troublesome for most.

^^Ditto.

I've decided to try that fan. Plastic, yes, but I can't see the temperature climbing so high that it would be a problem. Proximity to the Norpro or bare lamp would be the key. Aside from the CFM and decibel rating, the plus for me is that, if ordered in black, which some sites supply, it would baffle light leakage from the box due to its configuration. I plan to draw air through the bottom and keep the fan high as I'm using the elec. ballast. Slot on the bottom would draw in cool air, with the fan drawing the most hot air possible from the top area of the light chamber. If anyone has taken temperature readings in the light chamber area in a box built to plan specs it would be helpful info. Also, if anyone has tried the fan and it failed, it should be removed from the list at the beginning of this post. If I end up being first I will surely post any success or failure.

Dave also

I've been reading these forums with pure joy ever since I found Lumenlab. Been in the background for months and finally am ready to make some posts. First, thanks to Brainchild and all the rest of you who have made this one of the best places to be in cyberspace. On this thread some of you have been looking for a 12VDC power supply for your fan(s) and possibly for your LCD. I bought one of these on ebay:


It is a switching power supply for an external SCSI and has +12VDC/4A and +5VDC/4A outputs. This gives me the ability to switch my fans from 12v to 7v if I so decide. It is small but has no fan so it will have to be placed in the cooling circuit somewhere. I plan to use it in my box. It cost me $9.99 and the guy on ebay has 100 of them. If anyone is interested I will post a link to the seller.

This is insane... I'm getting so frustrated trying to find all the parts and I can't even find a decent 120v 120mm fan!!! Anyone?

Just buy a fan and be done with it.

It really depends to what you want. Just remember that many of these fans will be rather loud (excess of 40dB) for many people's taste. If you don't want to listen to a constant hum, I would suggest finding a way to control the speed, ie attenuator for either AC or DC. The downside is less flow for your box. I think that you could use two exhaust fans at lower speeds to compensate for the flow.

For 120V AC fans, this thread has pretty good links.

12V DC fans...take a look at this tread.
http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1497

I ordered from www.nexfan.com (Thermaltake 120mm 12V DC, fan guards and a cheap fan controller). Shipping is reasonable.

SVC Online cooling store is another place to go for 120mm 12V DC fans. Shipping is also reasonable. They have the Panaflo which has been a good fan (less noise, high flow) for $10.

The power supply can be purchased from walmart for $17 (PowerLine 1000mA/3-12V selectable power supply). You will have to modify it in order to have it work properly. If not walmart, any electronic shop should have something similar.

Hi all! First post. I had a long one but my computer decided to freeze halfway through it. :angry: So this is the reader's digest version.

More than you ever wanted to know about fans and airflow.

http://www.nmbtc.com/html/fans/engineering...eering_101.html

It's a very informative read (in fact the other pages on that site are just as good). I was concerned about the pj's resistance to airflow. ie-100 cfm fan having to pull air through various places results in 50 cfm. (for example, made the #'s up)

Dunno, anyone noticed a difference in the flow out of the fan after they put it in the pj?

Thanks,
-Jay

P.S. I've REALLY enjoyed looking at everyone's projects, seen a ton of great ideas, hopefully after I move I'll be able to start on mine!

Hey dgg5252,

Any luck with that fan yet? How does it do? Any pics? Thanks.

Andy

Building this weekend. I did see a drawing in the reflection thread today where it was incorporated into a proj. design. Hopefully next week will have at least results and hopefully pics.

Link

Thanks for the fast reply! Definatly let us know after you finish up your building adventure this weekend! I am also thinking about using one of these in my PC. Where did you get one in black? Thanks.

Andy

I got the fan at Black Fan. They had it in black which is opaque rather than the translucent ones most sell. Also, the downward nature of the exhaust is a natural light baffle. I doubt heat will be a problem as the air is constantly circulating with a fresh air intake. I'm also slotting my box at the bottom with the fan at the top to accomodate my final plan to build the proj. into a chest style end table with legs.

Dave

how did people go with the evercool pcac fan ?? any good ?? does it push fresh air in or take hot air out ??

Pulls it out.