DIY suggestions for fan cooling system...

[mtbound10]

I am going to be putting in a few fans somewhere in my equipment cabinet and I am just looking for some pointers on placement and or brand/models for good fan units.

I have seen units that just get placed directly on top of whatever unit you might be trying to cool but I was considering mounting 1 or 2 fans per a shelf to keep things circulating or just to introduce some cooler air...

Any suggestions?

 

[CraigV]

Some other considerations are - which way will the wind blow? Will it blow onto the equipment? If so, you have to consider dust & other airborne particles being blown onto/into the equipment.

Will the air blow into the listening area? Will this contribute to the overall heat in the room?

Noise levels are also to be taken into consideration. Some computer fans are said to run quiet, but what about a power supply?

There’s also the consideration about interference with sensitive electronics. Will having an electrical motor near a TV, DVD or receiver be perceivable as interference? Also, if the fans are on the same outlet as the rest of the gear, will it cause electrical noise to find its way into the equipment?

Not saying it can’t be done, just some things to consider while you’re figuring out how/where everything will go.

 

[agarwalro]

The age old question suck or blow

What kind of cabinet or rack is it? If it the open kind, a simple pedestal stand running on low will be sufficient.

Control the airflow if the cabinet is of a closed/ nearly sealed design.

In all cooling solutions that need high capacity heat exchange, it is not sufficient to have incoming coolent at a lower temperature. You need to create circulation and dissipation for most efficient cooling. In this case, if you have fans pulling air into the cabinet or fans blowing air out, it will not be nearly as efficient as having both, placed at the appropriate locations.

Hot air rises, so put fans that exhaust air at the top of the cabinet. If possible have cold air coming into the rack only from the lower side.

Alternately, pick the equipment that generates the most heat, cut holes on the back and mount fans blowing air onto these. Ensure that there are sufficient vents strategically placed to vent hot air out. You could even have fans placed on the vents to suck the hot air out.

Suck or blow? Why not both

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Always suck the hot air out from the back and let the cool air be pulled in from the front.

I use two Sony Scythe S-FLEX fans which are very quit. I made the back cover for my crendza where it attaches via velcro so I still have easy access to my amp. Works like a charm.

 

[Mike19]

Parts Express #305-200 , 305-205, 305-210, 305-215, 305-220
305-260.

 

[droht]

coolerguys.com

I've been putting this project off for quite a while myself...

 

[Sounds Good]

coolerguys.com

I've been putting this project off for quite a while myself...

they seem to charge a lot for their fans kits... if you buy just the bracket its not to bad...

 

[zipia.salute1]

Cut a hole in your cabnet and use a few cheap computer fans. Maximum PC had an article on how to DIY a few months ago.

 

[Sounds Good]

Cut a hole in your cabnet and use a few cheap computer fans. Maximum PC had an article on how to DIY a few months ago.

what do you use to convert DC to AC? i would assume a converter from radio shack would work...

i forgot i found this converter i had for a DIY fishtank lunar lights...

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2552560

Power Features
----------------------------------------------------------------
Voltage Required 110/120
Power Type AC to DC power adapter
Intended Device Type Products requiring 3-12VDC/1000mA
universal/multi-voltage Yes
Power Voltage 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, 9, 12VDC


will that power possibly 4 120mm pc fans?

 

[highfigh]

I am going to be putting in a few fans somewhere in my equipment cabinet and I am just looking for some pointers on placement and or brand/models for good fan units.

I have seen units that just get placed directly on top of whatever unit you might be trying to cool but I was considering mounting 1 or 2 fans per a shelf to keep things circulating or just to introduce some cooler air...

Any suggestions?

As long as there's a source of sufficient incoming air below the hottest part of the cabinet, drawing the warm air out will keep everything cool. Keeping the hottest piece at the top minimizes the cooling requirements too, since only that one can actually get hot as long as air flow is good. That way, if the fan fails, convection will still cool most of the equipment. If the hottest piece is at the bottom, it can cause all of the other equipment to run hot.

 

[agarwalro]

Always suck the hot air out from the back and let the cool air be pulled in from the front.

I can guarantee that you are pulling in a lot of air from the cable opening just below the fans. Try holding a cup of hot tea (or incense stick or cigarette or any other source of visible smoke) near it to veryify.

I recommend moving all the wires to one side and covering almost all of it up with some duct tape. This will ensure that most of the cold air is coming from the front of the cabinet.

 

[edlehman]

I installed Coolerguys dual fan kit with thermal control a couple weeks ago. It's working great.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

You are correct but in reality, there is another piece that velgros on the opening that you see in the picture(you can see the velcro) It is sealed tight around my cables and the cabinet is sealed from shelf to shelf.

I can guarantee that you are pulling in a lot of air from the cable opening just below the fans. Try holding a cup of hot tea (or incense stick or cigarette or any other source of visible smoke) near it to veryify.

I recommend moving all the wires to one side and covering almost all of it up with some duct tape. This will ensure that most of the cold air is coming from the front of the cabinet.

 

[agarwalro]

You are correct but in reality, there is another piece that velgros on the opening that you see in the picture(you can see the velcro) It is sealed tight around my cables and the cabinet is sealed from shelf to shelf.

I can now sleep peacefully .