Air Cooled Paintball Mask

I work as a paintball referee and a chronic problem that I have is my mask fogging up. I consider this the worst thing to happen on the paintball field, whether reffing or playing. As a ref, I can't keep track of players or accurately declare hits. As a player, even if my marker fails or I run out of paint, I can still be a diversion or a flag runner. Nevertheless, I'm pretty useless when I can't see. I've tried various anti-fog sprays, but they only last a game before giving up. The basic idea here is to put a fan in a paintball mask to continuously circulate air and remove humidity. Pretty simple, right?

Step 1: Materials and Tools

Materials:
1 paintball mask
1 computer fan, 12v
2 slide switches, DPDT
1 resistor, 10 ohm
1 9v battery, preferably rechargeable
1 9v battery holder or connector
4 1" long bolts, must fit through holes in fan
4 matching nuts
4 small zip ties
some wire
solder
electrical tape

Tools:
dremel tool
soldering iron
wire stripper
pliers
screwdriver

Comments

[tynow]

Hi, i just wanted to point out that you said 2 DPDT switches, but in the diagram you put a SPST for the power and a DPDT for the speed selection.

[JamesRPatrick]

The DPDT switch for power only functions as ON/OFF, so you can use an SPST switch for that function. These switches came in packs of two, so it may be more convenient to just buy a single pack of DPDT switches.

[tynow]

ah, ok, i see how that would make sense, just wanted to make sure u knew.

[kmgcmk]

I just tried this with a smaller fan (out of a game station cooling unit). It helped, but did not stop the fogging completely. The photos look like the fan is blowing "in". I started the day like that, but swapped at lunch (I love zip ties). Do you know if this fan system works best blowing "in" or "out"? I plan to put a larger fan in before my next outing, if I can get one to fit in my mask.

Thanks for the instructions.

[JamesRPatrick]

This one blows inward(toward the face) and works like a charm.

[ilpug]

Well, This is a great design for paintball. I have the same chronic fogging problem in Airsoft, and i am trying to figure out a way to build in a fan. An idea i was working on earlier involved a small turbine on the outside front of the mask and tubes to carry air into either side of the goggles. Unfortunately, this design was noisy (i have no extra computer fan), and looked positively ridiculous. I would totally adopt this design, but the inside of my mask has no room for a fan! I am also wondering how much noise your version makes, because in an Airsoft application i need the system to be virtually silent. Does the bottom edge of your goggles in your mask have holes in it? i am wondering how the air circulates into the goggles.

[JamesRPatrick]

The foam doesn't seal completely around the eyes. There are gaps on either side of the head, so the air gets around.

[ilpug]

Okay. I am going to experiment with drilling holes in the bottom frame of my goggles, because they have no holes in the bottom or the sides. I will have to get another type of fan and build it in.

[goober6]

why truck bed liner??

[JamesRPatrick]

It's like liquid rubber. I usually have a can somewhere in the garage and it's good for waterproofing.

[xXxMattThePossumxXx]

very cool, and it seems to work, based off of what ive heard from other modders. I have seen people put two smaller fans above their eyes or near the earpieces; propably less chance of getting paint splatter on them than in front of the mouth. But that's still slim odds that you get hit right in the mouth.

[JamesRPatrick]

It's a huge advantage if you have any amount of humidity in the air. Especially if it's raining, you can sneak around other players who can't see more than 20 yards. I actually did get hit in the mouth the last time I played, and the fan still worked fine. It wouldn't cost much to replace anyway. I think the fan kept the sharp pieces of shell from getting to my mouth, too.

Smaller fans would work well, but I was sourcing from an old desktop at the time and only had the big ones. However, the overhead design might be more susceptible to rain damage.

[xXxMattThePossumxXx]

That makes sense. But what do I know. It never rains here, and its never humid (lol).

[JamesRPatrick]

Lucky...I bet an evaporative cooler would work especially well in your area.

[BOOM5601]

Me likey, cheaper alternative to the actual fans.

[JamesRPatrick]

Next challenge is making it waterproof.

[BOOM5601]

Sugru!

[JamesRPatrick]

Never used Sugru before.

[JamesRPatrick]

I was thinking more like hot glue and a different motor.

[BOOM5601]

Nah, you should be fine without waterproofing it. Unless you're a really clumsy woods player, or an unlucky speedy, it wont get wet.

[JamesRPatrick]

I've used it on two rainy days(out of 7 total days) without issue. But I'm concerned about nonstop scenario games in the rain. I might spend the day laying in the mud and I don't want to even be thinking about my goggles.

[BOOM5601]

Well, the water wouldn't really do anything to the circuits, but the mud might jam the fan.

[mikeybo2]

I just made a simpler version of this yesterday. I used a very old pc fan 9 volt connectors and electrical tape. I stripped the ends of the fans wires electrical taped the 9 volt wires to the fan wires. Then i taped the fan in with electrical tape. Now when ever i connect the fan to the battery it keeps running keeping me cool.

[JamesRPatrick]

Sweet! Can you post some pictures?

[mikeybo2]

I have to get a new fan when i do ill post some pictures i accidently knocked the fan out of the housing

[mg0930mg]

I went paintballing today, and did this mod last night, I didn't fog up all day. Thanks, although your schematic confused the hell out of me. :P

[JamesRPatrick]

The schematic has been updated.

[mg0930mg]

Looks great.

[JamesRPatrick]

Sorry about that, I was using someone else's computer at the time and it didn't have any apps that could draw. Thanks for the support!

[mg0930mg]

I posted it up on the nation!

[JamesRPatrick]

Can you post a picture of your rig if you get the chance?

[mg0930mg]

Totally forgot about this, I need to fix mine to my new mask. It is just sitting in a plastic bag, at the bottom of my toolbox.

[mg0930mg]

Mine actually broke, from my crappy soldering. However, my dad should be teaching me, before my next scenario. Hopefully, by this weekend I will post something.

[Allan Mankato]

Could you possibly make a clearer image of this? or of the circuit itself? Because i really want to do this but i don't have a whole lot of soldering/electrical experience but i think i have enough to do this. It would be much appreciated. By the way this is an awesome project. Because i have like 2o fans just lying around.

[JamesRPatrick]

Sure! I'm not great with the symbols but I'll try to make it understandable. I'll start on it right now. Thanks for reminding me!

[JamesRPatrick]

Here you go, check step 7.

[Allan Mankato]

Thanks a lot!

[Allan Mankato]

That is much appreciated! I just have never had to put a resistor of that type in to a circuit before. Once again, thanks!

[JamesRPatrick]

Glad to help!

[mattbomb]

what happens if yo get shot right were the fan is and could shoot shrapnel into your mouth from the fan