Helmet fans: Why not Noctua?

[Atnevon[501st]]

Hey folks,

I just started my armor journey with an Deuno Nova ANH Stunt kit. 

 

I remember from troops with my garrison seeing bucketed folks having some fans in their helmets. The common ones I see are the blower-type; and the consensus I see if there is a tradeoff for the cooler head — sound. Many have a harder time hearing people around them.

 

I've built PCs for many years and noticed the blower-type fans I see are often on graphic cards. While, a more standard fans are on the CPU, case, ect. I know Noctua to be some of the quietest fan choices; brown color being a very subjective choice.

I know size is a factor; but, is it? Or is it an airflow need?

To beat the tradeoff, I got to wondering if any troopers have used Noctua fans? I looked up "smallest noctua fan" and the this is the smallest they make.

 

Newb question, sure, but, would this be an option to get some cooling inside while keeping noise done to hear better around you?

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

It can get hot very quickly if you are standing in place for some time or in larger groups like conventions, screen can fog up very quickly. Having a little breeze across your face can make you feel a lot cooler, trick of the mind I think.

 

I've tried a few fans like what you show but found they don't direct enough air compared with the blower fans.

 

My setup. 

I have two blower fans (squirrels)  50mm x 15mm 5V and that's important, any higher volt and you they can scream.

 

I use 4 x AA 1.2 V rechargeable batteries (4.8 V total).

 

Both fans are wired separately, I only use one at a time, the other is for backup. 

 

I tested the rechargeable batteries the other day for a new helmet project, the fan ran for just under 8 hours before needing recharging. Using standard AA batteries the fan will run for a lot longer, I just hate throwing away batteries.

 

Also I add flywire mesh to the outside of the blower fan intake, especially required for those with facial hair 

[themaninthesuitcase[Admin]]

I recently re-did my fans with 5015 hydraulic bearing fans from aliexpress. The old set I had were never quiet and had gotten really rattley.

 

These new ones I've only trooped a couple times but have been more than quiet enough for me. Being 5v I can run them off of a USB power bank. I also wire mine separately, not being from somewhere hot it's more about stopping my helmet getting stuffy or fogging up.  With one on I've never run the battery flat in a whole days trooping. I've occasionally used both for a bit bit never very long, it's just not needed.

 

Why not noctua? These fans cost £6 for 5 and do the job. The flow is also not ideal. The blower fans suck the air away from you and blow it away. The noctua is a through design so it's either blowing directly away or at you, and there's not really any good way to mount that and still get good flow.  Plus you might even feel the cold a bit.

[ukswrath[Staff]]

Being completely biased here . The fans I sell (40mmx40mm) are custom made. Roughly 1500 rpms. This allows for adequate air flow and quiet operation simultaneously. 

 

Most fans on the market regardless of size, run at 2000-2500+ rpms. Great air flow but noisy as heck. 

 

 

[Hesikaya[TK]]

Andrew,  I have been using 5015 5V USB fans in my TIE Bucket and run them through a USB switch with a USB rechargeable battery pack.  The TK bucket has a less room, so I have wired in some similar fans that also run off a USB rechargeable battery pack.  As Tony mentioned above, the fans can get noisy. I wear some earbuds that are plugged into a Velleman stereo ear kit so I can hear really well. 

 

The addition of fans to your bucket is HUGE! I'm in Arizona and it is pretty much a must have. When they die, you can go from "it's warm but comfortable" to "OMG get me out of here" really quick.  

Edited March 4 by Hesikaya

[Shanester[TK]]

I have been using Tony's (ukswrath) fan rail in my helmet for about 8 years now and they are not loud, I am just hard of hearing.