In "rack" Cooling - Updated
by joe in Circuits > Computers
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In "rack" Cooling - Updated
In my house I keep my linux box in a modified side table.
I removed the back, but it seems the external drives get a bit warmer in the summer months than I would like.
A trip to radioshack fixed this.
After doing this the first time, I decided to add an extra fan/
Also if anyone has a small (less than 10" ) vga lcd screen source, let me me know.
Thanks,
-Joe
I removed the back, but it seems the external drives get a bit warmer in the summer months than I would like.
A trip to radioshack fixed this.
After doing this the first time, I decided to add an extra fan/
Also if anyone has a small (less than 10" ) vga lcd screen source, let me me know.
Thanks,
-Joe
Parts
12v Power supply
2x12v Computer fan (I used the Thermaltake with leds)
M-Type inline dc power jack
2x12v Computer fan (I used the Thermaltake with leds)
M-Type inline dc power jack
Tools
Screwdriver
Wire Stripper
Soldering Iron
Wire Stripper
Soldering Iron
Identify the Problem
So while I was at this, I decided to move a power strip in to the "rack" and label the cables and organize them. Running all the cables from the wall to the "rack" was getting messy.
Test
The fan had a 4 prong PC power supply type connector.
To figure out which wires I needed for the fan I attached it to a 12v power supply and tried them all out.
To figure out which wires I needed for the fan I attached it to a 12v power supply and tried them all out.
Cut and Strip
As I said, the fan has a 4 prong connector for attaching to a PC power supply.
After testing which wires I needed It was obviously the green shrink wrapped wires.
I off the 4 prong adapter and stripped 3/4" of heat shrink from the end of the green cord.
This revealed 2 wires, I soldered the positive to the middle of DC power jack, and the negative to the outer tab.
After testing which wires I needed It was obviously the green shrink wrapped wires.
I off the 4 prong adapter and stripped 3/4" of heat shrink from the end of the green cord.
This revealed 2 wires, I soldered the positive to the middle of DC power jack, and the negative to the outer tab.
Slide the Cover Over
Slide the cover of the plug over the metal jack and screw on.
Attach to Door
This side table had two convenient crosses cut in to it. I put the fan behind one of them. Honestly if radioshack had of had two fans in stock I would have used two.
Radioshack did not have two, but Surplusgizmos.com had one so now there are two.
Radioshack did not have two, but Surplusgizmos.com had one so now there are two.
Stand Offish
After I mounted the first fan and had it running I noticed it was kind of noisy and did not pull in that much air.
I fixed both of these issues by moving the fans off the door with some spacers. I used washers and nuts since I had them on hand. This quieted the whole thing down and increased the air flow immensely.
I fixed both of these issues by moving the fans off the door with some spacers. I used washers and nuts since I had them on hand. This quieted the whole thing down and increased the air flow immensely.
Sit Back and Admire Your Work.
Time to sit back and admire your work.
Going Forward
So the next step is to put a thermostat on it so it only turns on at a certain temperature. But that screams of an effort I don't feel like putting in.