Rubbermaid Fan Silencer - GreenPassion.org - Dedicated to Medicinal Cannabis Cultivation and Education

mpm2004 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-22-2009, 03:53 PM

Rubbermaid Fan Silencer

Decide how big your fan is and what kind of attachments you will need.
Mine is an 8” fan from craigslist ($20 what a steal) and I needed it to go to a 6” duct for my light. So I needed some converters, but you may not need the same if you use a 6” fan. So purchase accordingly.

Step one, go to your local Homedepot and buy the needed items:

1 Rubbermaid box big enough to fit your fan and the metal connectors
1 8” or 6” collar
1 8” to 6” reducer or 6” straight connector
1 box all purpose metal screws (great for anything)
4-6 6” duct clamps depending on your setup
1 25ft length of 6” duct tubing
2 can foam spray or 1 can and foam liner
1 roll cellophane (Safeway not Homedepot)

1) Test fit the fan and traces the outline of the intake on the inside of the Rubbermaid box.

2) Drill 4 holes along the inside edge or your traced circle and use it as a guide to take the duct piece to trace your hole on the outside. (way easier then trying to cut from the inside.)

3) Take your jig saw or tin shears and cut out the hole on the one side of the container.

4) Once done test fit the fan and make sure it all lines up

5) Repeat the same steps (1-4) with the output side of the fan on the other side of the Rubbermaid box.

6) Once again give it a dry test run to make sure everything lines up.

7) Once it all works out, take the fan and rap it in cellophane so that you don’t have foam stuck to your fan FOREVER!

8) Cut out the cellophane so that it is not in the opening of the fan (Pot heads beware)

9) Drill a pilot hole and screw the duct parts to your fan, to lock it onto place as well as making a secure seal so no foam gets in your fan.

10) Fill the box up to about ½ way with foam and then let it expand, to seal the fan into place. No need to fill all the way, it will just make more work down the road.

11) Let dry for 4-6 hrs before giving it a test run

This is a cheap and easy way to make a portable light weight fan concealed box/silencer for your grow setup. I like the fact that I can move it all around with little difficulty and it is very light and not an eye sore. (PS candy and soda from Homedepot optional)

tokecrazy · #2 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 05:54 PM

Nice set up.If you use insulated duct you will have a lot more sound proofing. Insulated duct costs a little more but it's quiet. Good set up.Peace

budman13 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 07:10 PM

Dude this totally awesome man I love this idea. How much does it queit down the fan thanks for the great pictures....

4maggio · #4 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 05:11 PM

High mmp.... Very well done; I may be overlooking the obvious but I thought it was the rushing air thru the fans exhaust that made the most noticable noise. NO?

Is it 'noticablly' more quiet, enclosed like that?
It is very stealth, do you run it full out or 'on slow'?

mpm2004 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 12:05 PM

I would tend to agree that it is the ducting that is the loudest part. But it does help keep the noise and vibration down.

PS I might offer some amendments to the post, and I am going to set it up with a 6"can filter. I also had to get a new setup, because I was cranking the heat up plus 100F.
Keep living the dream

peazy704 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-13-2009, 02:16 PM

I have the same box setup. can you show pics of the inside of your box for comparison please?