A little extra cooling..

[partypalooza5]

I was unhappy with how warm the PC light I have gets, It's probably normal and safe but I doubt adding more cooling will cause any negative effects.

Basically: All I did was get a small cardboard box, cut out the top and bottom, press fit a computer fan into the opening at the top, tape it up a bit, and connect the wires to a wall transformer. It pulls out a pretty decent amount of hot air from the vent holes in the fixture. I'm now pleased.

Here's the pics!

I may paint the box black or something to make it less noticeable

For one, this fan is soo much quieter than the two mini ones inside the fixture, and also this fan will be on no matter what, meaning cooling for when the daylight bulbs are on (for some reason the fixture fans only go on with the actinics..? ) And the new fan will help cool it down after it goes off too.

I love random projects like these! lol
.

 

[jessicasmarine]

Adapt and overcome,

 

[guns286]

I have been wanting to do the same thing to my tank. Not so much because of the lights, but because my livingroom (where the tank is) can get pretty hot in the summer. And, of course, that raises the water temp.. My wife (the air conditioner nazi!) turns of the a.c. when I'm not home.
Based on what you wrote, it seems like you have the fan facing out. Is this to draw out the heat from the lights? I guess in my case I would face the fan in, to draw in cooler air? Or should I do the same as you?

 

[partypalooza5]

I have been wanting to do the same thing to my tank. Not so much because of the lights, but because my livingroom (where the tank is) can get pretty hot in the summer. And, of course, that raises the water temp.. My wife (the air conditioner nazi!) turns of the a.c. when I'm not home.
Based on what you wrote, it seems like you have the fan facing out. Is this to draw out the heat from the lights? I guess in my case I would face the fan in, to draw in cooler air? Or should I do the same as you?

Yes, I have the fan pulling cool air in through one vent (other side of fixture, there are two small crappy fans that are stock on the fixture.) then blowing it out.

Well, If you have a fixture like mine (one or two vents on each end) You could build two fan assembly's, have one pushing cool air in and the other pulling warm air out. Wire them to a 9VDC wall transformer and you'll be good to go! lol

 

[partypalooza5]

WOAH! I can't believe how silent it is now!! The "quiet one" pump is louder! LOL

-very happy-

 

[krap101]

Well for computers, if you had to have one fan, you'd choose one exhaust, so I'd assume it'd be the same for drawing heat from lights.

Is there any reason for the cardboard to be there? I'd imagine that the closer the fan is to the light, the more air that would be pumped out. Possibly suction?

 

[partypalooza5]

Well for computers, if you had to have one fan, you'd choose one exhaust, so I'd assume it'd be the same for drawing heat from lights.

Is there any reason for the cardboard to be there? I'd imagine that the closer the fan is to the light, the more air that would be pumped out. Possibly suction?

Well, there are two vent holes (like 1"x1") that are about an inch apart. The 80mm fan wouldn't work as effectively if I put it directly on the vents. This way it makes sort of a "duct" that sucks air through both of the vents. And there is some suction, The vents on the opposite side of the light have air being sucked in even with the stock fans off.


gotta love DIY.

 

[krap101]

Maybe a bit much?

Anyways, the duct does make more sense now .

I always thought these were interesting

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_cooling

 

[Zer0]

I want that computer cooling system. Looks beast.

Anyways, pp5, awesome idea, and depending on how cool my light runs, im gonna do the same. Great job and great idea.

 

[guns286]

Sorry for the delay in writing back. My computer is messed up and I cant get on all of the time.
I have a stock, came with the tank, light for my 75g. I was thinking about making vent holes in the tank lid and setting up the fans over them. What do you think?

 

[krap101]

Well cf's put out alot more heat than normal tubes. The thing is, we don't *need* to do anything. Cooling on a computer is much more important than cooling a light, and cooling a metal halide is more important than cooling a t8. You may see an increase in life (by a little) but it's your choice.

 

[MichaelsLilGray]

Maybe a bit much?

Anyways, the duct does make more sense now .

I always thought these were interesting

Thermoelectric cooling - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That literally made my day xD

 

[partypalooza5]

Sorry for the delay in writing back. My computer is messed up and I cant get on all of the time.
I have a stock, came with the tank, light for my 75g. I was thinking about making vent holes in the tank lid and setting up the fans over them. What do you think?

Heh, maybe your computer needs a new fan? xD

Well, generally moisture and electronics don't mix. Do you mean holes in the fixture or like the top of the tank above the water? I wouldn't really do a fan directly over the water.

 

[partypalooza5]

Well cf's put out alot more heat than normal tubes. The thing is, we don't *need* to do anything. Cooling on a computer is much more important than cooling a light, and cooling a metal halide is more important than cooling a t8. You may see an increase in life (by a little) but it's your choice.

In my case, the light bulbs may not produce alot of heat but the ballasts are like little ovens. And since they are crammed into a tight space (inside the fixture) they don't get very good cooling with stock fans.

It may not be necessary, but I think it helps with longevity.

 

[partypalooza5]

Maybe a bit much?

Anyways, the duct does make more sense now .

I always thought these were interesting

Thermoelectric cooling - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LOL That's not a case fan, that's a fan CASE! xDD

I love thermoelectrics, but they are just really inefficient IMO.

(shoot, I probably should have done multi quote lol)

 

[fishmonkey]

wow great idea AJ!

 

[Trisomy21]

lol I've actually already got a 120mm fan rigged up to A/C. Might try this.