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08-01-2006, 10:46 AM
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#1 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Posts: 170
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Laptop Cooling Pad Question?
Hello,
Sometimes my wife's laptop runs for hours on end, and I noticed it gets pretty warm to the touch. I've seen a few of those laptop cooling pads/bases with fans which draw the heat from the laptop. I need a cooling base that will blow upwards onto the bottom of the laptop. I was going to just make one with (2) 80mm fans. Will a standard USB PORT on a laptop support the load of 2x80mm fans? I really didn't want to use a 12vollt external power supply. Thanks! 
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08-01-2006, 04:54 PM
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#2 |
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Wrench Bender
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Plymouth,MN
Posts: 5,961
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I believe that USB only supplies 5v and I would think that 2 80mm 5v fans would draw over the rated currant load of a USB port.
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"When sliding down the banister of life; look out for splinters pointing up."
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08-02-2006, 06:00 AM
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#3 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Posts: 170
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Yes, I think the USB is 5v. It's not worth overloading the laptop mobo. Besides I can't seem to find a large enough 5v fan to use.
I'll most likely use (2)80mm 12v fans, and a small external wall transformer. Thanks anyways! |
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08-02-2006, 06:11 AM
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#4 |
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Forum Administrator
Staff
Premium Member
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Joplin MO
Posts: 37,786
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I'd look at a passive cooling pad. Just getting the laptop off the table to allow proper airflow will help.
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08-02-2006, 10:52 PM
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#5 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Posts: 170
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Hello,
Unfortunately, the laptop isn't always on a table/desk, sometimes it's actually on someone's lap (now blocking the bottom cooling fan). I purchased a 2x2x1/8 sheet of fiber board (similar to peg board) from Home Depot - "ON SALE" cost $1.00 Used a old cordless phone base transformer rated @ 12vdc 200ma - cost FREE (2) new 80mm 12v PC fans - cost $11.00 (1) power switch from Radio Shack - cost $2.50 I cut (9) .75 x 1.5 inch scrap pine stock blocks used to join the corners and sides (leftover from other woodworking projects) - cost FREE I drilled lots of 3/4 & 1 inch holes on the sides and bottom. The 1 sheet of fiber board was enough materal to construct a 11x16x1.5 box About 3 hours to build at a cost under $15.00 The biggest problem was all of the cooling pads on the market draw the airflow downward from the laptop. My wife's laptop needs upward airflow to the bottom. Overall, it's not going to win any beauty contests, but (2) 80mm fans will definitely keep the air flow moving especially when she sits in her favorite chair. Thanks! Last edited by caesar; 08-02-2006 at 10:56 PM. |
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08-02-2006, 10:57 PM
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#6 |
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Kickin' it
Staff
Premium Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 7,723
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Sounds like an interesting project. Would you mind posting a photo or two?
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Fold for PCMech: Team 13761 |
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08-05-2006, 02:52 AM
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#7 |
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V12
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Houston, T.E.X.A.S
Posts: 3,488
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Actually by pushing air into the laptop. All your really doing is trapping hot air inside the chassis. Theres a reason why their exausting and not pushing it. But some older or different laptops might be having fans in the bottom pushing inside. But that would be to poor design. But eh, if it works. Some pics would be great.
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“We must not let ourselves get driven off course, no matter what happens we must stick to our natural game” -Zenedine Zidane Last edited by Mr.Ferrari; 08-05-2006 at 02:55 AM. |
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08-05-2006, 01:01 PM
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#8 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Posts: 170
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Here's some pics, the air holes are cut the same in the masonite fiber board on the opposite ends. Wife informed me that I have to install a couple fan grills on top for safety.
I understand what your saying about the air flow. But this particular laptop has the intake fan on the bottom and it exhausts the hot air out the back. That's why if you put the laptop on your lap you would be blocking the intake side of the cpu fan, the main reason I didn't just purchase one retail. They all have a downward air flow which would have caused a vacuum condition between the pad & the laptop. With this design I am pushing/forcing cooler air into the bottom intake fan of the laptop. (like a turbo charger). I know the majority of laptops need downward airflow, But one could always remount the fans in the cooling pad to blow downward if need be... Overall size was about 11 x 16 x 1.8 inches. tip: another good "free" source for 12vdc 80mm cooling fans are burned out power supplies. Enjoy! Last edited by caesar; 12-30-2006 at 04:00 PM. |
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08-05-2006, 11:29 PM
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#9 |
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9mm wins.
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Behind my Glock 34.
Posts: 4,544
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One word: Beautiful
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08-06-2006, 03:34 PM
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#10 |
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Member (9 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: powhatan "the stix" VA
Posts: 511
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very nicely done.
And about 75% of my fans were salvaged from PSUs
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08-06-2006, 07:11 PM
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#11 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Posts: 170
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Thanks! It works great, and very quite too...
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