The Sleepy Llama Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 I thought I would start a conversation here about helmet fans. So do you use them? How many, 1 or 2? Kit or DIY? Or just your general thoughts. Please feel free to add a picture of your bucket. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trooper1 Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 Yes I do, and just recently switched to Ukswrath fan setup. It works much better than my older 12 volt radio shack computer mini fan setup. the setup has 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne Trooper Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 I have 4 5v fans, 2 by my hovi tips pointed up and 2 in the rear pointed down as an exhaust. They are wired into switches on my bracket so I can turn on/off left and right side. I have always used both though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spOOL68 Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 I'm using the eqdizzle double tap fan setup. Two fans and it's hooked up to 10000mah USB battery. Longest troop so far was a bit over 3hrs and no issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iconoclasta_88 Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 I don't use it atm. I went full accurate assembly and replicating a few years ago and fans just don't meet the concept. I used to have them anyway afew years ago, or more than a few, I used computer fans powered with 1 9V battery each. To be honest, they served well for a while, but after getting used to the armor and helmet, I just didn't need them. I can see needing them if trooping without removing the helmet for a few hours straight or in very hot conditions, but that doesn't happen very often to me. Anyway, I do think that it is a little mod that does make the costume less uncomfortable, its just I'm a replica kind of guy. Saludos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kman Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 I was working on my bucket during the dry spell, after Echo stopped making fan brackets and before Ukswrath picked up the mantle. So I replicated Echo's setup as well as I could, in terms of bracket shape, working from photos in his sales thread. I made a few cardboard mockups before I dialed in the size I liked for the bracket. Then I took a cheap black plastic bin from Walmart and sacrificed it to the scrap plastic gods, cutting my bracket out of it. Covered it in Gaffers tape to soften the sharp edges. Simple 5v blower fans (squirrel fans) from Amazon, a couple of switches from Radio Shack, a 5V lipstick-style cellphone charging battery (3000 mAh) and some quick disconnects for the wiring completed the setup. I chopped up some old USB cords (an old keyboard and mouse that didn't work very well anymore sacrificed their USB connectors) to connect the fan wiring to the battery packs. Clean side, all mounted up: Under-side, hidden behind the bracker while wearing: Here it in, in place: (I was still toying with wire routing at the time this was taken) I loved the toggled switches I used, but they proved to be a bit fragile on the underside, as they're a little deep. I toyed with 3D printing a housing for them, but ultimately decided to give Ukswrath's brackets a try, once he started selling Echo's original design (with permission). His switches aren't as easy to actuate as my toggle switches, but the form factor is better and they're more durable, so that's what I've been trooping with since. I still use those same phone charger batteries to power it, though. They're velcro'd in place with industrial Velcro. Works great! I get 8+ hours of runtime off of a charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sleepy Llama Posted March 16, 2017 Author Share Posted March 16, 2017 Very cool, Kman. I like that bracket set up. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne Trooper Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Here's my bracket, although it's been changed a few times since this picture was taken. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trooper1 Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 They do work well, yes indeed. Looks good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 Fan kits - http://forum.mepd.net/index.php?/topic/15118-ukswrath-slys-cooling-systems/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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