Clip Fan vs USB Fan

[Ca++]

I'm sure many of us have used the 6-7" clip fans. They come from many sources, but commonly fail when the rear bush oil turns to tar.

I have been trying to find a fan that uses ball bearings and an EC motor. Best I can see is DC fans of the brushless type, but no ball bearings.

Does anyone have any side by side comparisons? I hope the DC fan doesn't make the VVVVVV noise, and instead goes Ffffff. With a very notable difference in vibration, which is where the VVVVV comes from. It's them 50-60hz torque pulses that a brushless generally won't have. I have been very impressed with the EC fans and Pumps, so I'm hopeful.

I dis scoff at the idea of USB once, but I am finding 10w 6" fans, that due to efficiency, should equal the 15w AC clip fans.

I use little fans on the floor between my pots. Not oscillating, but for setting up air corridors to ensure my fresh air gets to everything. As such, these typical cage things have my eye. Most are about 5w

4" blade set might be flying to do any work, but these are in every store. The USB charger costs more..

 

[Three Berries]

I've got two fans just like that black one. I point them straight up on the floor. Then use a USB 6" to blow across the top. Not all USB fans are alike efficiency wise.

I take my small fans apart once a year to clean them and usually lube with some real light weight oil. Worst thing you can do is use a too heavy oil. It will increase the wattage quite a bit.

 

[Ca++]

Hey TB.
Are they comparable to a PC case fan? The sort of thing that's concerned with low noise?

 

[Three Berries]

They are 4" so a bit bigger. I don't hear them from outside the the tent.

 

[Three Berries]

I'm running my MH TSL2000 300w light at full power for the flowering now. The two drivers on top are kind of warm. I'm going to put one of those fans at the top blowing across them. Not much air movement at the top of the tent other than the suction flow.

 

[Ca++]

Case temp makes quite a difference to lifespan. At 75c you should get 5 years of 12/12

LED temp effects their efficiency. A fan might raise system efficiency a few percent. Which seems little once you own a light, but at purchase time, we spend quite a bit on a few percent.