I plan to install a fan on my old Coulter 13.1 inch, F4.5 reflector. It has a thin mirror. The red tube is 16 inch diameter.
I bought a 3-inch brushless 12VDC cooling fan from Radio Shack ($20) and a battery attachment. My goal is to remove the air layer hugging the primary.
My questions are:
1. Is this fan to big or to small? I tried a 2-inch fan which I didn't think would blow air much to the other side of the tube. Does that matter? Is a 3-inch to much fan?
2. Should I install 2 fans on the tube or is one enough?
3. If one is all I need, I want to install it on top of the tube. Does it make a difference in performance where I install it, i.e. on the side of the tube?
4. Should I install it to blow air over the mirror or reverse it to pull air across the mirror? Would the reverse help with air currents in the tube? By the way, there are three holes in the original Coulter mirror cell.
5. The fan seems to run smooth but do I need a damper between the fan and the tube, like rubber or form?
6. Should I add a fan or two to the back of the mirror cell? Should they pull or push air.
7. How far forward should I place the fan from the face of the mirror.
8. I there an optimum fan arrangement?
All suggestions appreciated
I bought a 3-inch brushless 12VDC cooling fan from Radio Shack ($20) and a battery attachment. My goal is to remove the air layer hugging the primary.
My questions are:
1. Is this fan to big or to small? I tried a 2-inch fan which I didn't think would blow air much to the other side of the tube. Does that matter? Is a 3-inch to much fan?
2. Should I install 2 fans on the tube or is one enough?
3. If one is all I need, I want to install it on top of the tube. Does it make a difference in performance where I install it, i.e. on the side of the tube?
4. Should I install it to blow air over the mirror or reverse it to pull air across the mirror? Would the reverse help with air currents in the tube? By the way, there are three holes in the original Coulter mirror cell.
5. The fan seems to run smooth but do I need a damper between the fan and the tube, like rubber or form?
6. Should I add a fan or two to the back of the mirror cell? Should they pull or push air.
7. How far forward should I place the fan from the face of the mirror.
8. I there an optimum fan arrangement?
All suggestions appreciated