[VanceVoj]

Hello, I am in the 7th grade do a science fair this year. I am making a vacuum cleaner, I used an average sized small plastic box, and a 12V computer fan. I also have a plastic tube that I shortened for the sake of making it not have to suck from so far away. My problem is, is that I cannot make it have enough power, I am positive it is getting 12 Volts of power from my 12V batter I got at ACE Hardware the other day. But it sucks little to nothing, I put it in backwards the way it sucks in. I am very stuck and it is due on Wednesday but I really need it done this weekend, help me please. Any thoughts or suggestions help!

[Fr_Chuck]

It would appear that the box is too big? There is not a good seal on all parts?
The fan, running on battery is not powerful enough to created the air flow needed?

[talaniman]

Get a bigger fan. That may require a bigger power source also.

[smoothy]

Fans are rated in cubic feet per minute. You can't create suction unless you can move enough air, and control that air.

[ma0641]

The fan you have is an open axial flow fan, will not develop enough static pressure. You need a closed axial like a vacuum cleaner or centrifugal fan. Plus, you need a high volume fan. A computer fan will not work.