Home of the Sovereign Protectors

Having done a troop last fri night, I really noticed the fogging issue and was wondering if anyone has used a little air pump before. One of the guys at the troop said he heard of a snowie that got an air mattress pump and ran the tube up into his helmet.
Seeing as we wear robes hiding it would be easy, it's just is it going to help prevent the dreaded fogging. At the moment it gets to a point were I have trouble seeing anything after maybe 15 mins. Also our vader said to try small computer fans just above the visor, to suck air in from the visor.
Any Suggestions or comments on what you guys have done to help prevent fogging would help.
Thanks Redpaint

I tried to build a rig that had battery powered squirrel cage fans mounted on my belt and then ran hoses into my bucket. Didn't work well, I don't think the fans were powerful enough to push the air all the way through.

However, I've recenly come up with the idea to mount those fans inside the bucket itself, along with the battery pack. I think this will work much more efficiently!

I saw a recommendation concerning a flexible plastic tube connected to a snorkel mouthpiece:

http://www.jedi-academy.com/royal_guard_helmet.html

I myself haven't attempted to do it yet, but it may be worth a try.

Cheers!

Oh yeah, that was the other thing I forgot to mention. That since my first troop I have employed the use of some type of hose to exhale through to keep from fogging up. This too has run down the inside of my robe and tied against my chest so it doesn't make any unpleasant looking bulges.

I'm not sure what they're called but I've seen a low profile fan that vented out of the side instead of on the top. A couple of those mounted under the helmet, say below the chin pointed up might do the trick.

I'm still going slowly, because of the limited space and visibility inside the damn thing, but...

I have spacers inside the brow overhang in front of the lens, and I left gaps for airflow. I'm still working very carefully inside the brow to make room for the smallest computer case fans I could find -- 40x40x10mm. I'm trying to shape air channels to let the air get up behind the fans. I'm still concocting notions for how to direct the outflow to go down over my face/inside the lens. I'm going to mount the batteries inside the front of the cowl where there's ample room and have a contact switch in the padding.

I've been trying to take pictures, but that's even harder than working in there, and most haven't come out well. I have a much more compact digicam now (than my old film camera), and as soon as I turn back to the Guard bucket I'll snap some from inside. I've been focussing on Jen's Scout helmet to get it in shippable form so she can finish it and make Lancer.

--Jonah

Finished my fan project!

I didn't have enough room in my DP to mount the traditional cpu fans, but one of my garrison members purchased a lot of various fans and electronic components that he's selling to us at cost. He'll probably be posting info on the Legion boards or the Great Lakes Garrison's boards.

Anyhow, you can see my set up below. I have everything velco'd in, primarily because I can't get my head in with the fan placed where it is. I velcro the fan itself into position after the helmet is on. I was unable to mount the fan lower, as it sucked up the top of my cloak and plugged up.

Fan had 3 wires, 1 wire was cut. Connected the switch and 9V battery terminal together. I kept most of the wiring in the wiring jacket and velcroed the whole system in. My next step is to upgrade my visor, allowing for a wider viewing area and leaving some gaps in it to allow for ventilation. I will also use anti-fog cream (we found it as a paintball accessory) to keep the visor from fogging up. The fan works well on it's own, but why not take the extra care. It should last for weeks before needing reapplying.

For those of you with larger helmets, fans are very doable, and easy, too! You should have plenty of room.

(sorry... my photos won't load up, click the links)
http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26 ... G_5409.jpg


http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26 ... G_5410.jpg

http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26 ... G_5411.jpg

http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26 ... G_5412.jpg

That is AWESOME! I have a couple sets of the same type of fans that I was planning on installing in my helmet, except that I was going to use magnets. I probably have enough room in my bucket to not have to worry about the space....but I'd rather be sure and safe than sorry!

I wanted to ask, are you happy with the placement of the fan? As far as directional air flow goes. I was thinking about using two fans, one aimed up each of the front ridges toward the corners of the visor. I'll post some pics, considering that I have til the end of April to get this done......better get moving!

Again...Great Work!!

As for the fogging, try the Rain-X anti-fog wipes. Has worked well for me.

psujedi27 wrote:are you happy with the placement of the fan?

I think so. I haven't trooped with it yet, but even with my contacts, there doesn't seem to be a problem. Since it is blowing up the front of the helmet, my face feels cooler (and hopefully dryer - I hate sweat in the eyes, especially with the contacts!). The only problem is going to be hearing people, as the fan makes a bit of noise. The switch is convenient so I can shut it off if I do need to hear.

I only wish I could have placed the fan lower, but as I mentioned, it sucks in my robe and doesn't move air then.

If I ever get one of the larger helmets, I'd probably have 2 of those fans to really move the air.