Custom Mask Fan

[Aslan]

Okay, now before I start, the step-by-step thread on how and why I did this can be read here: http://www.pbreview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15923&page=8

I'm not going to post the whole thing here unless there's some interest.

Okay, so I got lit up in this one game...decided I really needed to do something about my mask fogginig. I tried no-fog spray...that stuff is garbage. I added a Vortex II mask fan, that helped...but not enough. So, I read this post about a guy using PC fans to cool his mask and I thought, "I might be able to pull that off." So, here's the mask before the mods:

http://www.jayloo.com/files/pics/35000/Mask_start_tn.JPG (http://www.jayloo.com/photo_gallery/show_pic.html?pIMAGE_ID=35385)

It's a JT X-Fire Elite. It worked good for this because it has a forehead guard and I took the visor off my pro-flex and added it to this mask. The more surface area to mount items to, the better. Here's a picture of the basic equipment used...two fans, a switch, and 2 9V batteries.

http://www.jayloo.com/files/pics/35000/wires_connected_tn.JPG (http://www.jayloo.com/photo_gallery/show_pic.html?pIMAGE_ID=35388)

Here's where the fans get connected to the visor:
http://www.jayloo.com/files/pics/35000/FansOnDremmelling_tn.JPG (http://www.jayloo.com/photo_gallery/show_pic.html?pIMAGE_ID=35390)

Here's what it looked like assembled:

http://www.jayloo.com/files/pics/35000/VisoronMask01_tn.JPG (http://www.jayloo.com/photo_gallery/show_pic.html?pIMAGE_ID=35391)

I had to add cable ties to secure the batteries and used twist ties to keep the wires from being everywhere. I added a camo mesh headnet to the mask to cover up the batteries and wires. I then found that the fans needed to have some inserts put in to direct the flow of the air more into the goggles so I added those. I'll try to get a better picture of it "in action" this weekend and post it. The cool thing about the mods is it only cost about $24, supplies more flow than a store bought mask fan, and it's virtually silent.

[shades]

I like it. I did the same thing with 2- 5Volt fans and put them in series and only had to use One 9volt. it keeps my glasses defogged.

[RoamingStorm]

sounds complicated. I just get anti fog lenses :rolleyes:

[Aslan]

sounds complicated. I just get anti fog lenses :rolleyes:

It has a thermal lens, thermal lenses work great...but not on eyeglasses!

[neppo1345]

You should try mounting the batteries on either side of the mask strap...

It just looks really bulky with it all on top, and probably a little heavyier on the nose.

[Aslan]

You should try mounting the batteries on either side of the mask strap...

It just looks really bulky with it all on top, and probably a little heavyier on the nose.

I thought about that. If I were to go with bigger batteries (RC car batteries), I'd have to go that route. However, the 9Vs fit really nice there and the weight is virtually unnoticeable...remember, the batteries are the only weight. The fans, switch, and wires weigh next to nothing.

[Jaan]

They make really small 20mm muffin fans that fit masks like those very well. All Electronics has them cheap.

I'm also working on a mask fan project since I wear eyeglasses too. It should be done in a couple of weeks, I'll post pictures when I'm done. One of the things I'm going to try to incorporate into the design is a small circuit called a "Pulse Width Modulator". Its basically a speed control for fans and motors which require full voltage to turn. It would be like turning the switch on and off constantly. That way you get better battery life and also it's quieter ... you can use two large fans running very slowly to move a large volume of air.

Nice project.