Fan noise reduction options.

[Slim Pickens]

I have a problem with fan noise after having to relocate my garden area.I am/was using a CAP 4",and this fan does make noticeable noise when walking by the exhaust port.The area that I was in formerly was away from any foot traffic,so it wasn't an issue.The noise isn't just the sound of air movement,I can also hear the fan running.It isn't deafening by any means,but it is noticeable.

Opinions based on experience is what I am hoping to find.I have been reading the "Whisper Fan" thread trying to glean enough info to make an informed decision on what is the most reliable remedy.I have the following options that I am aware of currently.

1.Whisper inline fan @ 120cfm.

2.Soler And Palau TD 100x. Soler And Palau has a model TD-125 also.The TD125 might be a decent choice,but it is 5" (what engineer in his right mind would design a 5" fan),but I suppose I could shim the filter and exhaust pipe to fit.

3. a Variac to reduce the speed (and therefore the noise) of my existing CAP fan.I installed a router speed controller on the CAP,but now it whines when I dial the fan speed down. ): I think that this option would probably be "iffy" ??.

So.Those are the options that I am aware of at the moment.I need to be pretty confident that the chosen remedy is reliable,as I live in SE Asia and getting anything sent here is time consuming and expensive.

My new garden area is 7'L x 3.5'W x 5.5' H,so it is not an overly large area by any stretch.

Anybody?

 

[FlaDankster]

Vortex S-line is a very quiet fan also.Have had one for about a year now on a speed controller......no whining noise from the motor.

 

[Miraculous Meds]

So reducing fan speed don't go below 50% cause the fan can overheat and fail.

Now on reducing noise. U can buy duct mufflers or look into diy. theres some ideas somewhere on this site if u search. Plus insulated ducting does a good job with noise reduction. Ive used both of those and they work well. Now for ur fan, u can insulate that as well. I haven't done this yet, but I seen someone on this site use the box the fan came in and filled it with great stuff foam.

 

[the gnome]

a sure fire way to reduce noise and keep your cfms in the black is getting an oversized fan + using a speedster to reduce rpm's.
doing this along with insulation techniques can get you in a very quiet mode of operation

 

[Slim Pickens]

Thanks everyone for your opinions.

I am having a lot of company in and out for the next week or so,but after it is all over I will try to insulate the fan and see if that produces noticeable improvement.

I am reluctant to buy another fan of the same type configuration.I would rather chance it with a Whisper type fan if the insulation doesn't cut it.

I tried a speed controller already,that just made the fan mad and it started whining.

 

[theother]

I have a problem with fan noise after having to relocate my garden area.I am/was using a CAP 4",and this fan does make noticeable noise when walking by the exhaust port.The area that I was in formerly was away from any foot traffic,so it wasn't an issue.The noise isn't just the sound of air movement,I can also hear the fan running.It isn't deafening by any means,but it is noticeable.

Opinions based on experience is what I am hoping to find.I have been reading the "Whisper Fan" thread trying to glean enough info to make an informed decision on what is the most reliable remedy.I have the following options that I am aware of currently.

1.Whisper inline fan @ 120cfm.

2.Soler And Palau TD 100x. Soler And Palau has a model TD-125 also.The TD125 might be a decent choice,but it is 5" (what engineer in his right mind would design a 5" fan),but I suppose I could shim the filter and exhaust pipe to fit.

3. a Variac to reduce the speed (and therefore the noise) of my existing CAP fan.I installed a router speed controller on the CAP,but now it whines when I dial the fan speed down. ): I think that this option would probably be "iffy" ??.

So.Those are the options that I am aware of at the moment.I need to be pretty confident that the chosen remedy is reliable,as I live in SE Asia and getting anything sent here is time consuming and expensive.

My new garden area is 7'L x 3.5'W x 5.5' H,so it is not an overly large area by any stretch.

Anybody?

If it's a tent go with a quieter fan, if it's a room consider building a plenum. Basically a larger space the air bounces around in before being pushed out smaller openings. IME this is the only thing that handles that situation. Maybe an inline filter now that I think about it. I have one of the inline phresh filters (I think that's the brand). That fan seems pretty quiet now that I think about it.

Check icmag for plenum build threads, I'm sure I have seen them here.