Hot Receivers?...Laptop Coolers

[phlatwound]

I've seen talk here about using laptop coolers on receivers, so I decided to order a couple this week.

Haven't received them yet so I can't tell you if these are any good or not, but the prices can't be beat here:

Cooling Product

I don't think our sponsors offer these items so I hope this isn't stepping on any toes. I have ordered a lot of stuff from Monoprice, they are great to deal with, cheap shipping and quick order processing....check out their prices on wall mount brackets for HDTVs.

A question for people that have used laptop coolers on DVB receivers:

Is the power to the USB port (where the cooler is powered from) controlled with the on/off switch on the receiver? I guess this might vary on different units but I am specifically asking about the Diamond 9000HD and the AzBox Elite.

 

[stogie5150]

Azbox and Diamond's USB ports are active as long as the main power switch is on. Doesn't matter if the receiver is in standby or not.

One of those on that page you referenced has a 4-port hub along with the cooler for less than 10 bucks! That would be the one to get, bring up the usb ports where you can get to them. But alas, the dreaded OOS.

 

[Lak7]

Yep, I use an el-cheapo chiller on every piece.
At my main Setup, all my Equip is in a Semi-Enclosed TV Stand.
I use 2 el-cheapo 4port USB hubs, connected to the receivers with USB to run 6 chillers:
3 - on Sat Receivers
1 - on Sound Receiver
2 - mounted to back of TV Stand to exhaust hot air

Then use USB extensions on the remaining USB ports for Memory Stick / Hard Drive.

 

[Cadsulfide]

Excellent Thread!

 

[phlatwound]

Azbox and Diamond's USB ports are active as long as the main power switch is on. Doesn't matter if the receiver is in standby or not.

One of those on that page you referenced has a 4-port hub along with the cooler for less than 10 bucks! That would be the one to get, bring up the usb ports where you can get to them. But alas, the dreaded OOS.

Thanks Stogie, exactly what I needed to know. :up

I was wanting to order the one that was OOS also.

Yep, I use an el-cheapo chiller on every piece.
At my main Setup, all my Equip is in a Semi-Enclosed TV Stand.
I use 2 el-cheapo 4port USB hubs, connected to the receivers with USB to run 6 chillers:
3 - on Sat Receivers
1 - on Sound Receiver
2 - mounted to back of TV Stand to exhaust hot air

Then use USB extensions on the remaining USB ports for Memory Stick / Hard Drive.

I never thought of doing it that way (hubs), Lak, cool, great idea.

Excellent Thread!

:

 

[ParaclipseCKu]

Excellent idea! I am using one now with the Pan 9200HD and what a difference! The case is now perfectly cool!

 

[LocutusOfBorg]

I've seen talk here about using laptop coolers on receivers, so I decided to order a couple this week.

Haven't received them yet so I can't tell you if these are any good or not, but the prices can't be beat here:

Cooling Product

I don't think our sponsors offer these items so I hope this isn't stepping on any toes. I have ordered a lot of stuff from Monoprice, they are great to deal with, cheap shipping and quick order processing....check out their prices on wall mount brackets for HDTVs.

A question for people that have used laptop coolers on DVB receivers:

Is the power to the USB port (where the cooler is powered from) controlled with the on/off switch on the receiver? I guess this might vary on different units but I am specifically asking about the Diamond 9000HD and the AzBox Elite.

The coolers that I bought at the local Wal Mart work just fine. Unfortunatley, the cooler runs continuosly on the Azbox. The Azbox gets a little warm when turned off, also, so I guess it's not a big problem with the cooler running 24/7. But, I'm wondering if the cooler is really necessary. As long as the receiver doesn't lock up due to heat it shouldn't be necessary to add cooling. My 6.1 stereo amp gets a LOT hotter than the Azbox and the amp has lasted for more than 5 years with no problems. My 4DTV 922 is on 24/7 and keeps on ticking without any fans, also. But, I could add the cooler to either one of those devices but I would need a USB extension to run off of my PC's USB port (I have several PC's running 24/7).

 

[stogie5150]

The coolers that I bought at the local Wal Mart work just fine. Unfortunatley, the cooler runs continuosly on the Azbox. The Azbox gets a little warm when turned off, also, so I guess it's not a big problem with the cooler running 24/7. But, I'm wondering if the cooler is really necessary. As long as the receiver doesn't lock up due to heat it shouldn't be necessary to add cooling. My 6.1 stereo amp gets a LOT hotter than the Azbox and the amp has lasted for more than 5 years with no problems. My 4DTV 922 is on 24/7 and keeps on ticking without any fans, also. But, I could add the cooler to either one of those devices but I would need a USB extension to run off of my PC's USB port (I have several PC's running 24/7).

I am a better safe than sorry guy, old school in a new(ish) package...I want all my electronics cool as a cucumber. I just ordered two of those coolers from Monoprice, gonna see if they are better than what I have now. My azbox gets HOT, even on standby, almost too hot to put my hand on... so I am glad the cooler runs 24/7. :up

 

[phlatwound]

The coolers that I bought at the local Wal Mart work just fine. Unfortunatley, the cooler runs continuosly on the Azbox. The Azbox gets a little warm when turned off, also, so I guess it's not a big problem with the cooler running 24/7. But, I'm wondering if the cooler is really necessary......

Did you understand what Stogie was saying about the AzBox (and Diamond 9000HD), that if you powered the Azbox down with the switch on the back of the case, it will cut the power to the USB port also?

I'm not sure if they are necessary either, but my Diamond gets really hot, don't know about the Azbox yet, but with laptop coolers running about 10 bucks each delivered I think I'll give them a whirl.

 

[Anole]

Laptop Cooler experience:

I've been using laptop coolers for years...
... on . . . actual laptops!
And I run 'em 24/7 ! -

After playing with some plastic housing wonders, I was disappointed to find their fans crapping out after about a year.
Second unit made it about one more year.

Then, I found [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Antec-Notebook-Cooler-USB-Powered/dp/B0000BVYTV"]Amazon.com: Antec USB-Powered Notebook Cooler: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51AEH-yj-JL.@@AMEPARAM@@51AEH-yj-JL[/ame] on sale at CompUSA or somewhere.
Was about $7.98 after rebate. (I'm cheap, not stupid) -
The one I'm using has been on line for several years, now.
I have ignored the Antec several times when it's been on sale.
Recently (a year or two ago) they were on sale again.
I realized I'd better have a spare for my old model.... which just won't die.
So, I still have a spare (new) unit on the shelf. -

I'm not saying the Antec is the only nor the best. It just happens to be a pretty good one.
And when you can pick it up on sale for $10 or less, it's a winner. - :up

As to powering them, I would recommend a powered hub.
They come with a 2 amp, 5 volt, power supply (better ones have light weight switchers).
So, you just plug your four coolers or external fans into the hub, and don't worry whether any particular piece of equipment is powered or not.

 

[Anole]

other ways to cool the equipment:

I know this is a Laptop Cooler thread, but there are other ways to cool hot hardware.
I have installed fans into receivers, and mounted receivers into different packages, to help cool 'em.
In many situations, just opening up some vent holes does a world of good... or adding a heat sink.

Here is an old thread I wrote with some alternate cooling ideas.
Today, I favor the 120mm fans, which run on 12v, very slow 'n quietly.
They still move a lot of air, and often, just a little breeze will go a long ways.

Here's a hard drive cooler I endorse: aluminum extrusion.
It'll take a hot drive down to just warm!
Biggest problem is, the fans die after a year or two, and you are left with a hotter than expected drive.
So, now I just add extra 120mm case fans to my computer.

Oh, and on my DishNetwork PVR, I leave the case top off! -
. . . AND mounted the hard drive into a removable tray, with its own fan under the drive!

 

[ParaclipseCKu]

My azbox gets HOT, even on standby, almost too hot to put my hand on... so I am glad the cooler runs 24/7. :up

Agreed! I think my Azbox runs hotter (after only after a few minutes)than the Pan 9200HD did before the cooler. I'll try the 2nd cooler this week and see how it performs with the Azbox.

I'm sure everyone will realize this, but depending on where the fan is on the cooler, (center of offset) you may need to reposition the receiver a bit to the air is flowing on the warmest part of the unit. I slid mine around under the 9200HD until the fan was located under the PS on the left side and so far I'm very happy.

I know I could have installed a fan as Anole mentioned elsewhere in this thread but this was quick and easy and the price was right

 

[LocutusOfBorg]

Did you understand what Stogie was saying about the AzBox (and Diamond 9000HD), that if you powered the Azbox down with the switch on the back of the case, it will cut the power to the USB port also?

I'm not sure if they are necessary either, but my Diamond gets really hot, don't know about the Azbox yet, but with laptop coolers running about 10 bucks each delivered I think I'll give them a whirl.

Yes, I know about the switch on the back of the Azbox and that's the only way, other than unplugging from the wall outlet, to remove power to the USB port. I wonder why the USB ports are powered up all the time though.

 

[phlatwound]

Yes, I know about the switch on the back of the Azbox and that's the only way, other than unplugging from the wall outlet, to remove power to the USB port. I wonder why the USB ports are powered up all the time though.

I don't have a clue why the USB ports are always powered up.

The powered hubs that Lak7 and Anole mentioned sound like a slick deal, especially if they were switched.

Hmmmmmm....has anyone seen a powered hub that has ethernet and USB ports on it, say 2 or 3 of the former and 4-6 of the latter?

 

[Lak7]

The powered hubs that Lak7 and Anole mentioned sound like a slick deal, especially if they were switched.

Maybe I'm miss reading, but the power comes from the Receiver's USB port.
What do you mean by "switched"?

 

[phlatwound]

Maybe I'm miss reading, but the power comes from the Receiver's USB port.
What do you mean by "switched"?

Ah, I may have misunderstood what these "powered hubs" consisted of.

I pictured an independent, wall-wart powered box that had multiple USB ports....and possibly each port had an on/off switch on it.

If it seems that I don't have much knowledge of this stuff, there would be a good reason for that....I don't.

 

[Lak7]

The Hub I use has no external power source. You just plug the Hub into a USB port, and connect the USB Fans to the Hub, just that simple.

 

[Anole]

Actually, I have two posts above, each with slightly different focus.

As to powering them, I would recommend a powered hub.
They come with a 2 amp, 5 volt, power supply (better ones have light weight switchers).
So, you just plug your four coolers or external fans into the hub, and don't worry whether any particular piece of equipment is powered or not.

Little wall wart, little hub box, no switches - anywhere.
There's no such thing as a hub with switches for each port.
Mostly, you find 4-port hubs. Occasionally you find 8-port hubs.

Never seen anything with an Ethernet switch built into it.
No point in combining dissimilar technology.

 

[phlatwound]

Actually, I have two posts above, each with slightly different focus.

Little wall wart, little hub box, no switches - anywhere.
There's no such thing as a hub with switches for each port.
Mostly, you find 4-port hubs. Occasionally you find 8-port hubs.

Never seen anything with an Ethernet switch built into it.
No point in combining dissimilar technology.

Ok, I get it now, thanks.

I figured my idea of a combined USB/Ethernet hub was a no-go. I would like to have more powered USB ports, and I need another network connection, but I can achieve those 2 things with separate hubs, or if I get real energetic I can pull another ethernet cable to my back room.

 

[Lak7]

There are Routers w/ Network Storage via USB......
BELKIN n+ wireless router usb storage port and gigabit wired ports (#F5D8235-4) (retail) (NO STOCK - Estimate arrival on 3/19/2009)