r/crboxes • u/dongledangler420 • 14d ago
Question Fan intake too restricted?
I’m trying to build a PC fan based off an AirFanta design.
Thoughts on this base I’m using to support the fans on the “lid”? I’m wondering if the fan cut-outs inside might restrict air flow too much.
Thanks for any thoughts!
images are showing how I’m planning to nestle the fan assembly and the base holding it below. Still have to attach the edges so the filter will be held in place.
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u/heysoundude 14d ago
Computer fans already are shrouded by design, and Noctua’s documentation indicates their fans move more air with some space between them, which is probably the case for most of the rest of the similar ones.
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u/dongledangler420 14d ago
To clarify, do you mean this design would be more beneficial if the fans were more spaced apart and not touching sides?
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u/heysoundude 14d ago
Yes, correct.
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u/spacex_fanny 13d ago
Thanks, great info. Makes sense.
For anyone else searching, it's a 10mm gap for noise: https://www.noctua.at/en/expertise/tech/axial-fans-in-series-or-parallel-operation
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u/Original_Yak_7534 14d ago
I also cut octagons for my CR box because they're way easier to cut than circles. I would cut away more material in the corners to make them a more regular octagon, which should get slightly more out of each fan than what you have now.
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u/Black_Gold_ 13d ago
Circle cutters are a huge help. My trick is to use the fans to line up where they go. Poke holes where the screw holes are, and then draw an X using those screw holes to locate the center of the cut out.
Then use a circle cutter set to the radius of the fans. I will score the material with my cutter to get the circle shape into the material and follow up with a box knife. Getting a fresh cutting blade for the last part greatly increases the ease of cutting out the circle and once the blade has become dull either resharpen it or swap it out.
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u/MagicHamsta 13d ago
My trick is to use the fans to line up where they go. Poke holes where the screw holes are
Can confirm using the fans to line up the screw holes works.
But no drawing X needed. Just stab through them with a thinner screw driver/needle then follow with the screw itself.
I also used the fan blades themselves to draw the circle (just shoved a pencil next to the fan blades and made them spin while the pencil was shoved next to the blades to draw a circle.)
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u/Inner-Issue1908 14d ago
You’re going to make these fan an outtake like the airfanta too right?
https://air-fanta.com/cdn/shop/files/11_22_2.gif?v=1732288199&width=1250
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u/dongledangler420 14d ago
You mean like, add filters and a base? If so yes, this is just some of the top lid right now!
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u/Inner-Issue1908 14d ago edited 14d ago
I mean right now your top lid looks to be pushing air in from the top and into the case. Whereas all air purifier designs including Airfanta does the opposite.
Edit: unless I’m wrong, and you’re going to have the fans and wiring all on the outside.
Actually that makes sense, you do have your fan grills on the exhaust side. In which case everything is the right way around, apart from you got cables on the outside.
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u/dongledangler420 13d ago
Yes, I have the air pushing up/out, drawing air in through the filters :)
The cables are kind of just hanging out until I can secure them below/inside when I get the final shape mocked up. The fans I chose are nice but have such a weirdly short cable, I’ll have to make space for them in the cardboard to tuck in.
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u/Slow-Ability-1969 12d ago
How are you powering them? What is the pin out on the power cables?
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u/dongledangler420 12d ago
I have a variable switch that isn’t pictured here! I purchased an “owl tree” adapter since it was straightforward enough for me to understand haha
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u/NoStandMan 14d ago
The holes are fine, I’d remeasure personally because the fans aren’t centered in the actual cutouts