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Car cooling systems

T

thejawn

Weaksauce
Joined
Jun 25, 2007
Messages
77
My CarPC is undergoing its trial stages. I know all the parts that I want to invest in, so its pretty much all etched into stone.

The only worry I have is cooling systems. The plan was to buy a fan controller, and modify it into the dashboard under the AC controls, but I have a few concerns.
I know that the 4 fans on the controller will do a decent job of cooling, but the hot jersey summers are beginning to worry me. My first though was to have the PC in the glove box, but that i realized that was too small. THEN I decided under the seat/in the trunk. The seat would provide minimum airflow while the trunk will supply the maximum airflow (even though running cables will be a bitch).

So heres the break down.

Under the seat:
Minimal airflow, 4 - 6 fans, possibility of overheating.

In the trunk:
Maximum airflow, 4-6 fans, more ability to cushion PC form bumps. Terrible time wiring.

Passenger foot space:
If I put the PC in the foot space for the passenger seat, id loose about 6-8 inches of foot space, but I will be able to re-rout the AC unit to the box, and get cooling from there too.


Now I'm not sure if I should've posted this in Cooling or PC mods, but I assume a mod will correct me and put the dunce hat on me if I'm wrong.
 
I'm going to assume that under the seat of your car will be one of the coolest places. I'd be very nervous about it being openly exposed, though. If you at least have good intake, I think it would be alright. That, and you can underclock.
 
my vote is trunk. ive seen some done like that and its makes for an easier setup not including the wiring.
 
under the seat is fine, i have had my carPC there for more than 2 years now with absolutely no problems. i live in CT so we are pretty close. running a C2D based celeron processor at 1.6Ghz the computer never gets over 40*C.

even during the winter when i have the heat on full blast going into the computer i still only have the temps reaching mid 40's

it has 1 fan blowing air in right in front of the AC/Heat vent and 1 fan blowing on on the side of the case. works fine

the only thing is i built my case from scratch so i built it a little bigger in order to promote more airflow.. but meh, it works pretty well
 
The only worry I have about under the seat is its VERY limited space. (The cars a Pontiac G5, everything is limited). But thanks, I'll probably go under the seat if theres enough room, and if not the trunk is always available.
 
Under the seat is scary. I know in my VW i couldn't fit a computer under the seat. Most people that have done a computer in my car have done it in the trunk. The only thing for me I would be worried about is I have subwoofers in my trunk, and I'm afraid either

A) If the subs get to close to the HD, the magnet will destroy it.
B) the Vibration of the subwoofers/potholes (GG Chicago roads) will destroy the HD anyway.

I'm sure it can be solved by suspended HD. But then i need to save up money for Touchscreen monitor :)
 
Ang said:
Under the seat is scary. I know in my VW i couldn't fit a computer under the seat. Most people that have done a computer in my car have done it in the trunk. The only thing for me I would be worried about is I have subwoofers in my trunk, and I'm afraid either

A) If the subs get to close to the HD, the magnet will destroy it.
B) the Vibration of the subwoofers/potholes (GG Chicago roads) will destroy the HD anyway.

I'm sure it can be solved by suspended HD. But then i need to save up money for Touchscreen monitor :)
Click to expand...

I didn't think of that.. I have 2 12" subs in the trunk, but they are both mounted on the sides, if I put the pc in the middle, do you think there will be a problem?

Also, I decided I'm going to just get a 4 fan fan controller, then hook upthese cheap-o fans (I bought 10 for 12.19) to it.
Is there such thing as a 10 foot long IDE or SATA cable? I hope so or I have a lot of wiring to do...
 
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