The usual reason is to mitigate noise levels on the CZ-TD550 centrifugal fan. The W150 stock fan is an axial inline fan and is already pretty quiet. NOTE: ALL THUNDER MACHINES Q3 2021 CONTAINER #103 AND NEWER HAVE OEM INLINE QUIET FANS! Here is more: Exhaust System Changes Q3 2021
Here is some information about your stock fan PRIOR TO CONTAINER #103 for comparison:
Machine | Fan Model | Duct Size | Airflow | Noise | Link |
Mini 60 | W150 | 6" | 323 CFM | 26 dB | |
Odin 22/32 | 4" | ||||
Aurora | HF75-S | 3" | 76 CFM | 26 dB | |
Nova 24 | W150 | 6" | 323 CFM | 26 dB | |
Nova 35 | CZ-TD550 | 6" | 482.6 CFM | ||
Nova 51 | CZ-TD550 | 6" | 482.6 CFM | ||
Nova 63 | CZ-TD550 | 6" | 482.6 CFM | ||
Titan 250 |
Here is some information about your stock fan CONTAINER #103 FORWARD for comparison:
Machine | Fan Model | Duct Size | Airflow | Noise | Link |
Mini 60 | W150 | 6" | 323 CFM | 26 dB | |
Odin 22/32 | HF-150PE | 6" | 380 CFM | 55 dB | |
Aurora | HF75-S | 3" | 76 CFM | 26 dB | |
Nova 24 | HF-150PE | 6" | 380 CFM | 55 dB | |
Nova 35 | HF-150PE | 6" | 380 CFM | 55 dB | |
Nova 51 | HF-200PE | 8" | 735 CFM | 70 dB | |
Nova 63 | HF-200PE | 8" | 735 CFM | 70 dB | |
Titan 250 |
This is some basic info on AC Infinity Cloudline S-series axial inline exhaust fans
Model | S6 | S8 | S10 | S12 |
Duct Size | 6" | 8" | 10" | 12" |
Dimensions | 7.9 x 12.6 x 8.4 in. | 8.5 x 11.9 x 9.2 in. | 11.3 x 15.1 x 12.2 in. | 12.2 x 17.7 x 14.0 in. |
Airflow | 402 CFM | 807 CFM | 1201 CFM | 1604 CFM |
Noise | 32 dBA | 39 dBA | 48 dBA | 62 dBA |
MSRP (Feb.2021) | $109 | $169 | $269 | $369 |
Link |
you can use other similar fans as long as they meet or exceed the minimum airflow and they do not exceed the current draw and other specs of your stock fan.
You can connect an exhaust fan that does not draw more current than your stock fan. You will find that info linked above. To do this you will need an IEC 60320 C14 Male to NEMA 5-15R Female 10A adapter like this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00066HQ50/
NOTE: many inline axial dc fans come with a digital controller for operating the fan. it is defaulted to 'off'. so you should power the fan and set the speed before operating the laser.
you could flip the test switch on the tl timer to energize the fan, then set the speed on the fan controller, then flip the tl timer switch back off. Here is more on that: Testing/Adjusting Peripheral Systems using The TL Timer
or you could plug the fan into a regular outlet and set the speed, then plug back into the laser.
at the end of the day, you need to power the fan and turn it on with the controller so it will retain that setting.
DO NOT USE AN ADAPTER LIKE THIS TO RUN AN EXTERNAL AIR COMPRESSOR FROM THE COMPRESSOR JACK ON THE LASER. THIS IS FOR ADAPTING THE EXHAUST FAN TO ACCEPT AN AFTERMARKET INLINE FAN.