Creality Space Pi filament dryer fan relocate

This is a mod to the Creality Space Pi filament dryer, to relocate the original 5025 type fan.

Why that may make sense you ask?

Let me tell from the start.

My device started to make terrible noise when the fan kicked in, so assumed an design issue and I had to open it.
It turned out that the fan had been mounted horizontally, which I think is not ideal,
but depending on the bearing concept might still be fine.

Besides the orientation, the location itself is not ideal either, as the fan inlet is kinda blocked/against a wall.
Also, the fan outlet was not sealed towards the heating unit, so effectiveness did suffer for sure.

So, I was about to change something.

First, opening the device is not possible, as 2 of the screws are hidden behind the display.
So I did cut the bottom plate as far forward as possible with a Dremel cut-off-wheel carefully, see marking, to take it off.
There's a replacement for the bottom plate to print obviously. Prepare the original housing so the new bottom plate does fit.
I used 2 additional 3x12 screws (holes to be drilled accordingly).

I designed a duct, to seamlessly adapt to the heating unit with reasonable routing for better distribution over the heating unit
and to relocate the fan accordingly. Fan inlet was now exactly where the air recirculates.

Duct and bottom plate to be printed in temperature resistant material of course. Tested with PETG up to 60°C (150+h in the PETG setting) with no negative effects.
The duct has some offset build in towards the fan, so the gaps (fan outlet, fixation points) have to be filled/sealed with some
self-adhesive foam. I used 2.5mm screws to fasten the fan, so I had enough clearance in the bores to completely isolate the fan from the duct
with foamy/rubbery materials, hoping it would quiet down the fan.

Somehow it now works quietly, so didn't even have to replace the stock fan so far.
But if you do, look for good quality bearing options.

Use some new rubber sticky feet on the bottom plate.

Hope you like it.

Best regards
from Bernd's Custom 3Ds