Computing in dusty environments

M

Murdock

n00b
Joined
Dec 1, 2004
Messages
4
I'm hopeing to get some good ideas about building a computer for my father in law.

This system is going to be used in the shop on a farm. A very, very dusty place most of the year. (mostly dirt and grain dust :eek: ) Also any thoughts on the potential effect of humidity?

The second catch is I'm on a budget, as low as possible. :( Less than $500

Here are some things I have thought of:
  • User a filter on the intake fan, make sure that the incoming air is higher CFM than outgoing (try to keep the presure up so the dust doesn't seep in around the cd drive)
  • Get a case with a cover over the drives to try and keep out some of the dust.
  • Turn off the computer and cover it durring the dustiest times.
  • perhaps get a cool running processor to prevent some of the heat buildup caused by the dust (via c3?)

Of course their is also the monitor, LCD or CRT? How to keep the dust out of either?

Mouse, probably optical.
Keyboard, really cheap one that can be thrown away when it gets hopelessly dirty.

The system does not have to be powerfull, it will only be used for basic web surfing (weather and crop reports) He will have a better machine in the house that I will also be building :) The whole thing will be connected with Wireless.

If you have suggestions on specific components I'm all ears.

Thanks in advance
 
I am helping a few guys in a machine shop with their computers. They have 30+. As far as I can see the dust wont really pose much of a threat. As long as you perform a cleaning evey half year or so. 1year max length. However if you want a system that never needs maintenance then i suggest you consider one of the VIA EPIA systems. No heatsink no fans. So no worries of dust build up. Those systems are cheap and can be had for about $300-400and thats a complete computer. Case+PSU+motherboard(sound,lan,vga),HDD, DVD. They dont have near the horsepower of a P4 or Athlon. However you mentioned that you only needed it for the most basic of tasks. Web, email, typing ,etc. So this may be a good choice for you.
 
The secret to dust is eliminate the fans.

The less fans you use, the less dust will be introduced to the system. Use video cards that use no fans (or onboard with no chipset fan). Use a power supply that has no fans (although these can be expensive). Use a passive heatsink on the CPU (no fan)-- if you require a fan on the CPU, be sure it has wide fins on it (so you can clean it easily).

Good luck!

-Skystalker
 
Skystalker said:
The secret to dust is eliminate the fans.

The less fans you use, the less dust will be introduced to the system. Use video cards that use no fans (or onboard with no chipset fan). Use a power supply that has no fans (although these can be expensive). Use a passive heatsink on the CPU (no fan)-- if you require a fan on the CPU, be sure it has wide fins on it (so you can clean it easily).

Good luck!

-Skystalker
Click to expand...

fanless PSUs are neat, but it's still suggested that you have a decent airflow if using one...
I'd go with the VIA C3 - you can get it really cheap.... no intake fans, no exhaust fans except for the PSU fan (PSU preferably with 120 or 140 mm fan).
 
Well, the psu would probably be overkill anyway, so would it even produce as much heat as one running under full load? If he can fit one into his budget, it'd be an interesting addition.
 
Thats crazy. Theres are no fans on the top of my dresser, but theres plenty of dust there.

There are parts designed for hazardous atmospheres, but the cost will probably make this not worthwhile for you. Unless the barn is so dusty that it is classified as a hazardous area. (Don't laugh, grain silos can explode if an ignition source is introduced.)

Do you have an air compressor handy on the farm? New case designs are EASY to open. Just pop the case open every couple of months and blow it out. Even if you get a fanless PC you will still need to do this.

With all of the hype about overclocked and modded PC's, sometimes we forget that the best advice is to just get a $499.99 deal from compaq or dell. Sounds like this might be your case.
 
upriverpaddler said:
Do you have an air compressor handy on the farm? New case designs are EASY to open. Just pop the case open every couple of months and blow it out. Even if you get a fanless PC you will still need to do this.
Click to expand...

That's really your only option. Fans or not the thing will get dusty as hell. With high humidity though the dust will stick like sludge (like a smoker's computer), so eliminating as many fans as possible will help.

Air filters won't help you much. They will become clogged and rendered useless in a matter of days or weeks. It takes only a month or so for mine to become clogged and that's in my house.

Also, if you are going to build it yourself, get a mobile CPU so you can get away with a smaller HSF, or one without a fan. If you get a prescott CPU or something similar, your HSF could get clogged and your CPU could bake.
 
Thanks for the feeback guys.

I'm probably going to go with via C3 and filter it. I realize that the filters will become clogged quickly, but I'm hopeing that he will remember to turn it off and cover it when it is not in use.

I am also thinking of building an enclosure out of some plywood with a furnace filter and a fan, then just put the whole computer inside. The top would be hinged to allow him to open it up to get at the CD drive, power switch, etc.

Thanks again.
 
What about the MacMini? It seems to be far off the radar, but is a good idea that just popped into my head.
 
I had thought of the Mac Mini but the target user is one of those "I know how to use this and I don't want to learn anything else" kind of people. He's knows how to use windows 98, so XP won't be too much of a strech if I turn off all of the eye candy.
 
how about a slot 1 pentium III with one of those huge OEM passive coolers with a big ol 120 or 140mm fan exhausting air, inside that little box youre making?

if you put a vent somewhere on the box (towards the top, so the air could exit.. hot air rises :p) it would greatly reduce dust going into the machine, and you would have a fairly good solution - i find that my p3's are great for every day computing. hell, my laptop is still p3

edit: anohter idea. if you were to put the vent on the top of the wood box you are making, and put a ducting of some sort that goes down to the floor.... maybe pushing the air with a fan in the duct? then you could just filter air intake into the wooden box instead of the computer, and might be a much more effcient way of doing it
 
oooh, ooooh, ooooh (raises hand up and waves furiously)

You never answered my previous question about the air compressor. Do you have one?

Build yourself a box. Run an air supply line to the box. Use a regulator to keep the box at positive pressure. Just a couple "inches of water" pressure will keep the dust out.

http://www.process-controls.com/NexFlow/cabinet_cooler.htm

Or maybe, build a duct from an outside wall, or from the roof? Run the duct to a big intake fan. Interesting possibilities with PVC pipe.
 
Dude, your gettin' a Dell! Seriously, I always suggest Dell for these scenarios for two reasons:

  • Support - If your not there, he will be able to pick up a phone and get help anyway.
  • Price - With Dell you basically get the Monitor/KB/Mouse/OS for free, unless you choose to upgrade it.
 
upriverpaddler, their is a very large industrial air compressor in the shop for running air tools. I had always heard not use those for electronics because of the moisture in the air as well as static electricity? Is that wrong?

I do like the idea of a system with support and havn't ruled out Dell yet. I do need to make some final decisions in the next 2-3 days so I can get him some pricing.

I don't think ducting to the outside is going to be an option, I havn't asked but I don't think he will want me to cut a whole in his building (no windows or doors close by where the computer will sit)
 
Dell or Compaq (Compaq being my choice, I've had several with no problems, and one i seriously abuse) are always a reasonable choice for the general user.

If you wanted to go with the postitve pressure cabinet idea, I really dont think the volume of air flow that you would need would make moisture in the compressed air an issue. You could even consider filtering this air. There are several types of filter regulators on the market.

Using the compressed air to blow off equipment may be another story. Several environmental factors could be considered. You could test this by running the air hose into where the computer would be and blow the air into your hand. Is the moisture really bad, moderate or not noticeable at all. I work on an offshore oil production platform where we have a huge air compressor. I use this air to clean electronic parts frequently with no bad side effects.
 
Dell or Compaq (Compaq being my choice, I've had several with no problems, and one i seriously abuse) are always a reasonable choice for the general user.
Click to expand...
really? ive had nothing but problems with compaq/HP machines. i avoid them like the plauge...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top