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Helmet fans and cooling systems
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:06 pm
by Aaron-Wan-Kenobi
Okay, I just got my costume approved and now its time to upgrayedd. I need some system to cool my head down while sporting this costume. Where does one acquire small fans that run on batteries, and what other ways are there to cool down?
Re: Helmet fans and cooling systems
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:39 pm
by Toyhunter80's
I do not have my Royal Guard helmet yet and I am not sure how I will cool it when I get it. There are no openings where the fan can pull air in from outside.
To answer your other question, you can get little fans made for computers at Radio Shack. They also have the battery packs to run the fan. Or there are vendors who sell nice helmet fan kits, some even with rechargeable battery packs.
In my Galactic Marine helmet I have two of these fans each running off a 9 volt battery. I am looking for a better set up though as the 9 volts get hot and don't last real long - only a few hours.
Re: Helmet fans and cooling systems
Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 4:38 am
by LuciousTalvloinne
I've tried that in my helmet and it didn't work cause of the angles of the cheeks. Some individuals have mounted Fish air motor with tubes running under the helmet.
Re: Helmet fans and cooling systems
Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 3:46 am
by Toyhunter80's
MAN! I got my helmet yesterday and it fits great. But because the bottom sits flush with my chest, back, and shoulders, I can hardly breathe. Anyone have any tips? Also, the original lens is only attached at the corners which helps to clear the fog, I am concerned that when I replace the lens it will fog up and I will have even more trouble breathing.
Re: Helmet fans and cooling systems
Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:58 pm
by Darth Skellington
Many people leave air-flow gaps when they attach thier new visors. I'm having a few issues attaching my visor to my fibre-glass helmet, but when I try it with a small gap at the bottom and top of the visor, it allows for decent air-flow and virtually no fogging. It sometimes fogs just a tad, but immediately unfogs in about 1 second. I haven't tried in yet in hot weather for a troop, so not a lot of practical experience yet.
Re: Helmet fans and cooling systems
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:02 am
by Ang
Darth Skellington wrote:Many people leave air-flow gaps when they attach thier new visors. I'm having a few issues attaching my visor to my fibre-glass helmet, but when I try it with a small gap at the bottom and top of the visor, it allows for decent air-flow and virtually no fogging. It sometimes fogs just a tad, but immediately unfogs in about 1 second. I haven't tried in yet in hot weather for a troop, so not a lot of practical experience yet.
The trick is controlling your breathing as well. I have vents where my visor is, and it helps. It will fog, but if you work on exhaling a large breath downward it will stop a lot of internal fogging. Sometimes a deep inhale can clear it too. Just play around with it.
Re: Helmet fans and cooling systems
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:52 pm
by TK9115
I've got the small PC fans running of rechargeable 9V batteries, and a visor gap. Good point about the breathing to clear and control vapour- somethiong I do in my Stormtrooper lid which doesnt have the lens gaps and fogs up a lot worse than the RG one. One thing I want to avoid is breath condesning on the inside of the lid by breathing 'down' and having a lovely dribble down the robes

Re: Helmet fans and cooling systems
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:14 pm
by Ang
I've never had a problem with condensation actually, even during our long St. Patrick's Day Parade in Boston. (My headband however did slide in front of my eyes, so fogging was the least of my worries.)
Then again, I have a tiny resin bucket, and my head still fits in there. I think I have the smallest head in the 501st Legion.
Re: Helmet fans and cooling systems
Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:36 pm
by TR-2011
I have a DP bucket and I got a flat computer fan in it. Works nicely. Air is taken in from the sides of the visor. I bought two fans but the other sucker wouldn't stick

Re: Helmet fans and cooling systems
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:39 pm
by Darkyoda
Hi there !!!
For the moment, I've no cooling fans or any other system... But, i'd like to find some, because it's hot very quickly inside such a helmet !!!
For the fog, my solution is an anti-fog spray for scuba diving-mask... it works very well !!
Spray one or two time inside the visor, put it by the whole visor with a wet finger, let it get dry a little and that's done for many hours !!!
One of my friends uses anti-fog spray for motorbike helmet, but i think the result is not as good as my anti-fog spray...
I hope my solution will help you...