ECO Farm 12'' MAX Inline Fan VS Can-Fan Max Fan Pro 6" Mixed Flow Inline Fan
An inline fan is a great way to add extra circulation and humidity control where needed. The main benefit compared to a freestanding fan is that they integrate into the ductwork, meaning you can add them to existing infrastructure.
Of course, in these instances, you’ll want the quietest inline fans you can find. After all, there’s no point adding extra circulation if it means adding loads of noise too.
In this article, I look at the best inline fan for use around the home. I also provide a clear guide to help you make the best selection based on your needs.
How are Inline duct fans and the duct fan boosters different:
The inline duct fan is the more powerful blower fan of the two. It moves the most air. Given the differences in technology and applications, 12-inch inline duct fans can provide up to 1500 CFM. However, duct fan boosters can power up to 800 CFM airflow with a 12-inch fan.
Inline duct fans remove heat and humidity from grow tents and rooms most of the time. It’s also possible to find them behind closed doors where servers and AV equipment are kept safe. Many inline duct fans are used with flexible duct tubes and other things like silencers and carbon filters, making them less effective. Only duct fans that can move air can run normally and lose very little or no CFM. Duct fan boosters are often used in home heating and air-conditioning systems that need extra help with the airflow.
Features:
This ECO Farm inline duct fan is used in indoor grow facilities and vertical farms, heating and cooling transfer, commercial drying and air filtration applications. Inline blowers can also create a negative pressure environment, simulate wind, exhaust odors and fumes, and draw in fresh air from outside. The blower provides an airflow rate of 2120 CFM using 550 watts at maximum speed. The fans don’t “purge” at lower speeds or waste power. The fans give you unique control flexibility without background noise or hum at low speeds. Coated steel housing prevents rust and protects the motor and blade from accidental damage and harsh elements to reduce maintenance in demanding applications.
Can-Fan Max Fan Pro 6" Mixed Flow Inline Fan 420 CFM
Features:
The Max-Fan® Pro Series is even more efficient and stronger than the original Max-Fan® design. The Max-Fan® Pro Series has a much more robust housing due to the fiberglass reinforced plastic compounds that meet all of the UL and CSA requirements. The fans have three control speeds for true performance. These fans run quieter than the Max-Fan®. The fans come with the EZ Mount™ bracket for easy mounting.
Things to look for before buying Inline Duct Fan
There are many fans from different brands. But does every one of them fit your choice? Certainly not. So, there are few things you should consider before getting a fan for your grow tent. Let’s look at the fundamental points you should take out on an inline duct fan.
Size
The first thing you need to look at the size of your grow tent. If you are growing plants in a small space, getting a bigger fan is unnecessary. Besides, if you take a big fan that you don’t need, it could lead your growing plants to death. The best way to take an approximate measure is the area of the tent.
For example, if you have a tent that is 10 square feet in the area, the best fan would be 10′” inches in diameter. If your tent is about 5 square feet, then the best choice is a 5″ inches diameter fan.
Airflow Rate
Airflow rate is measured in CFM (Cubic Feet minute) in fans. You have to understand that you can’t use the same volume area to measure the power of any inline duct fan. You have to take the maximum number of CFM according to your fan size.
Suppose you use a huge fan in a small tent. That is a totally wrong calculation. You have to take a small fan for a small tent and a bigger fan for a more giant tent reminding the best CFM in the fan. A better airflow rate means a better fan.
Speed Adjustment
It is one of the features you should look into an inline duct fan. Sometimes you need to increase the airflow and sometimes decrease it. It depends on the weather outside the tent. So, Having a speed adjustable fan is a great way to go. At least having two speed settings in a duct inline fan is a plus.
Build Materials
We want a long time service from any product we buy. An inline duct fan is no different. The performance of the fan also highly depends on the build quality. The stronger the casing, the more influential the motor you will get. And the fan won’t shake the structure while running.
You should probably go for steel fans because steel is more durable and stays in good share for more time. Also, there are some fans with ABS plastics and steel fusion. Those are pretty good too. However, don’t go for a low-end plastic build inline duct fan. That won’t even survive for months after heavy airflow.
Noise
Accept it; noise is uncompromisable. Any fan, large or small, will have noise. But new inline fans are trying to reduce noise as much as they can. Companies claim their fan is silent, but it’s not possible to make a fan totally silent.
But when you stand aside by an inline fan, you will understand why noise reduction is necessary. The fan can make intolerable noise if you don’t want to get complaints from neighbors. Don’t want to get caught in a plant-growing restricted area, then take a less noisy fan.
Oscillation
Change in air direction can be a great asset. It’s not likely to have all the plants in the center of the tent. So, getting air into every corner is an excellent benefit. The old way to aerate every corner is by using multiple duct fans in the same tent.
To avoid complex structure and reduce the cost, a fan capable of oscillation is preferable. Always go for something that can automatically circulate air in different directions without any manual effort. Inbuilt oscillation is an asset, but if mounting is possible, it is also fair.
Power Source
When in the tent, plants need a controlled environment to grow. And if the fan is not working for a long time, then there could be a humidity build in the tent. That will make the plants dull. So keeping the fan always active will need a suitable power source.
There is mainly a Wired, USB powered, and battery powered fan available now. The battery is good for backup when there is a power failure. But if the battery is damaged anyhow, then the whole system is blocked. So, it is not the best of choices.
Wire power duct fan is still the most recommended. Because you can’t notice when the battery is dead and also the air ventilation system. Yet a long wired USB fan is also preferable because you can use it with USB capable Battery source.
Warranty
You would want your fan to serve for a long time. But what if the product is defective? To ensure you get the value of the money you spend, choose something with a warranty. By this, you will keep calm and work on your grow tent with any duct inline fan.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you’ve now got some useful information for choosing the best inline fans for your needs.
My top picks vary by room or setup, but they all offer decent CFM, low noise levels, and easy installation.
Do you have any other suggestions for the best inline fan? Let me know in the comments below.
评论
发表评论