DIY Light Trap

slider11111

Member
I was going to build a small cab for Cloning. I searched the net for a way to block the light coming out of my vents and about the only thing I could purchase was some Dark Room vents for 40 dollars apiece? They wouldn't work for the fan so I thought I would build my own and share. These could be built as simple as using some cardboard and Tape!!! I used stuff I had lying around.

I used some plywood left over from a different project and a six foot piece of 1 1/8 by 3/8 molding. I bought a 3" fan at R.S. and built the trap around this fan. I made two three inch holes in the cab. I used a 3" hole saw and cut two holes in the cab. The intake in the lower left and the exhaust in the upper right. I screwed the fan in on the inside of the cab and also inserted two screws in the top of the intake so help support the trap. I planned on caulking the traps to the back of the cab as it has a cheap thin back on the cab.
I cut two pieces of plywood and just guessed at the length of the dividers. They ended up being 3 inches long. I used a small brad nailer and glued everything together. I also calked all the seams inside and out with paintable caulk.
I taped off the 3/8 part that was going to be caulked to the cab and then primed and painted the trap. I used flat black to absorb the light. Do not use a gloss paint!!! I let it dry over night and the next day I test fit it. I pulled off the tape and caulked the area where the tape was. I placed the traps over the hole and rested the top on the screws. I also caulked around the outside where the trap met the cab.I placed some weight on the traps and let them dry. They work perfect and the fan moves the air just fine.
 

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LVTDY

Well-Known Member
I was going to point out the reduction in air flow, but your last sentence was "the fan moves air just fine" so nevermind. Do you notice a decrease at all in air flow, or has it somehow stayed the same?
 

slider11111

Member
If my fan is on high(I have a controller) there is less airflow. If I turn it down a little it works just fine. Also the fan is brand new?
 

4xfish

Well-Known Member
Just just did this, took all of 20 mins for intake and exhaust... Works great for light, but the air flow decreased substantially! U must make the trap quite a bit bigger than the fan. My fan is a 120mm the trap is 1" deep 9" high 5"wide. Baffles are 2 7/8 long and are spaced 1 1/8" apart. I'm gonna cut the baffles so the overlap is minimal. And see what happens.Temps before traps: 80temps after traps:92
 
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