Why buy a commercial off the shelf solution when I could spend multiple hours and more money designing my own? At least I had complete control over the design and the resulting performance. Plus, it was fun! :)
I ended up making two of these, so some of the costs were amortized over a few units.
- The speed control knob is not mandatory, but I wanted to have some ability to balance airflow with fan noise.
- \<XYZ\> is a higher CFM fan, but would require the box to be thicker to accommodate and would require longer screws.
- Cost could easily be saved on the hardware by getting just the exact amount of screws needed at your local hardware store. I had the Ruthex brass heat set inserts on hand as well.
- Parts List Table
- McMaster-Carr
- 4x M4 x 0.7mm, 30mm long stainless steel socket head screw (Pack of 100: \$13.63) <https://www.mcmaster.com/91292A130/>
- 4x M4 x 0.7mm thread, 8mm long stainless steel socket head screw (Pack of 100: \$8.18) <https://www.mcmaster.com/91292A108/>
- 1x 1/2" push-in x 1/2" NPT Male liquid-tight flexible plastic conduit adapter (\$4.30) <https://www.mcmaster.com/75145K32/>
- This part is included in the Amazon conduit kit I noted before,
- Amazon
- ~600mm length of 3mm diameter epdm foam round cord (5 meters: \$6.49)https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZNH31LK/
- 1x Arctic P12 Max 120mm PWM Case Fan (\$9.99) <https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VDNKL4G>
- 1x 4-wire 12V fan speed PWM controller with knob (\$9.88) <https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BHNC776L>
- 1x 5.5mm x 2.1mm DC power supply panel mount jack with wires (5 pack: \$6.99) <https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082GHXS1Q>
- 8x ruthex M4 brass heat set 3D printing inserts (\$33.99 for a multi-size kit) <https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08K1BVGN9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1>
- I already had this kit on hand for general 3D printing design and prototyping work.
- ~5 feet (varies by application) of 1/2" non-metallic liquid-tight flexible conduit (25 foot length with connectors \[eliminates need for above McMaster-Carr part\]: \$27.98) <https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0756JWQY3/>
- I already had 1/2" LFNC (Carflex) on hand from previous electrical projects.
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