Introduction: 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
Step 1: Parts
12v Power supply
2x12v Computer fan (I used the Thermaltake with leds)
M-Type inline dc power jack
Step 2: Tools
Screwdriver
Wire Stripper
Soldering Iron
Step 3: 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.
Step 4: 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.
Step 5: 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.
Step 6: Slide the Cover Over
Slide the cover of the plug over the metal jack and screw on.
Step 7: 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.
Step 8: 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.
Step 9: Sit Back and Admire Your Work.
Time to sit back and admire your work.
Step 10: 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.