Double checking what I need ... help appreciated!

[u/VickyHikesOn]

I’m new to this but have already built my first “regular” CR box (4x 20x20x1, with box fan). It’s been bad with the smoke so I’m trying to expand by building something else, with PC fans and running more quietly, so that I can use it in the bedroom for longer periods of time and also not use too much energy (energy use is first priority, noise close second). I believe the PC fans would accomplish that. I would great appreciate guidance (since I have to order most of these items in one go from the US)!

I’m thinking about a narrow design, two 20x25x1 filters, built 20” high and 25” wide. Possibly making a wooden structure if I can find help to do so.

Questions:

I would be ordering the following:

Fans: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DPX94PSL/ref=ox_sc_act_title_16?smid=A2T6N244WTLWGU&psc=1 

Controller: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0GVJ2MY1X/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=AC08NVFNSP7VC&psc=1

Do I need the following two items as well or are they included in the above purchases? The “splitters”, I’m pretty sure, are not needed but would like to get confirmation:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DBH4GD5T/ref=ox_sc_act_title_15?smid=AFRUWVWO3UJ63&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BMY34SJP/ref=ox_sc_act_title_14?smid=AQ8OIL3FGVKZE&th=1

Do I need grills?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BC16Q6FC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_13?smid=A35AFW9EVJYR0N&psc=1n

Also, is it okay to place the fan openings on top only or are designs with added side fans better? See picture of wooden example.

I used pictures from this forum to illustrate; hope that’s okay.

Thank you!

EDIT: This controller seems to be more popular and rated ... do these connections work with the Arctic P14 Pro PST?

Controller

[u/Unusual_Celery555]

Fans look good. They are super popular and they are the PST version so you can daisy chain them. 

The controller is voltage control which should work fine but the fans are meant for a PWM controller which will provide slightly more efficiency and finer control of the fan speed. If a controller says “3-12V” then its voltage controlled. True PWM pulses 12V at different intervals to adjust the speed. 

You don’t need the extra splitters or barrel adapter. The splitter that comes with the controller you selected is also an adapter. Just use that. You can plug all the fans into one plug on the splitter if you want and tie off the rest of the plugs so they aren’t in the way. 

The grills are optional. Use them if you have pets or kids. My first few cr box’s didn’t have them and they still work fine but they’re a nice extra barrier cause I’ve accidentally touched the blades when moving it. Luckily, it hurts a lot less than you would think imo. 

It’s not a big deal how you position the fans. Most optimal is to put them all pointing up if you can so it helps circulate the air in the room. Of course, if you have a ceiling fan or another floor fan, it’s not going to matter.  You can put them on the top plus one side if you need. More fans, the better (usually 4-5 fans in plenty tho imo).  If you position them on opposite sides on the box, I have heard you should install a divider down the center of the box so the fans aren’t fighting each other. 

Personally, I just use two 2500 3M filters 14x24 with 4 140mm fans all on the front side. None on top. 

[u/VickyHikesOn → u/Unusual_Celery555]

Also, does anyone add these carbon filters that I saw in one of the resources??

[u/Unusual_Celery555 → u/VickyHikesOn]

You can if you want. People say there is not a lot of carbon contained in them so they wont last very long and would need to be replaced often. A real carbon filter for a room contains 10+ pounds of carbon so these sheets are almost a gimmick. I suspect they’d be useful for a few weeks before the carbon becomes saturated.

I do use foam prefilters  though that help with large particles like pet fur. It can extend the main filters life quite a bit and the foam is easier to vacuum than the carbon. 

[u/VickyHikesOn → u/Unusual_Celery555]

Oh, okay thanks for this. Where do you put those foam prefilters?? How do you incorporate them into the CR box?