Refrigerator Case - electronic cooling

S

samsungdisplay

n00b
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Sep 20, 2004
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14
Why don't computer makers use a refrigerator for a case if they're concerned with
overheating? The problem is venting the heat if a refrigerator is closed?
Venting the heat would be what, something ingenius? Cool frid pics,


http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/front/ledminifridge.jpg
http://www.thinkgeek.com/cubegoodies/toys/6ad2/

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00019HRNS.01-AFK4B2ETLE86K._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...2-7629296-2953714?v=glance&s=kitchen&n=284507

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00009PGNO.01._PE17_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...2-7629296-2953714?v=glance&s=kitchen&n=286168

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0002HV32U.01-A1V1Z4BJNVFJUK._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...2-7629296-2953714?v=glance&s=kitchen&n=284507

Oh, and it stores food too ;) .
 
Creates moisture? Okay. Manufactures don't make cases out of refrigerators because it is a horrible idea and completely not worth it. It may be a neat little hack if done properly, but to do something like this commercially would be way more expensive than to just cool the system properly. Trust me, you aren't the first person to think of this.
 
Interesting roninblade ty.

jpmkm, really? I never read anything about it. Who has thought about using a refrigerator?


Something that might let it I'm thinking would be a second chamber filled with cold air to replace the air in the cpu chamber after it gets too warm, like a freezer section. Anyway, thanks for letting me share.
 
It has been discussed over and over in the overclocking and cooling forum here, and in other forums on the internet. The general consensus is that the compressor in a minifridge is wholly inadequate to handle the continuous heat load put out by a computer. The heat will keep building up inside the fridge(which is essentially a big insulator) until something gives. A second chamber isn't going to do a damn thing. That will eventually warm up too. Condensation really isn't much of an issue since the devices in the computer will be hotter than the air around it. Hotter air holds more moisture, so the moisture won't condense on the devices.

edit: I just noticed that all those little refrigerators look like they are actually thermoelectric coolers. Those things REALLY couldn't handle the load. Hell, they can barely handle a few cans of pop.
 
Hey jpmkm, you said something about compressor. It reminded me of compressed air vortex tubes and it came up with many pages, here's a quote and some links,


http://www.process-controls.com/Pelmar/images/New/VTc.jpg

Vortex Tubes are an effective, low cost solution to a wide variety of industrial spot and process cooling needs. With no moving parts, Vortex Tubes spin compressed air to separate the air into cold and hot air streams. While French physicist Georges Ranque is credited with inventing the vortex tube in 1930, ITW Vortec was the first company to develop and apply this phenomenon into practical and effective cooling solutions for industrial use.

http://www.process-controls.com/Pelmar/vortex_tubes.html


http://www.process-controls.com/Pelmar/images/New/ECf.jpg
Vortex Enclosure Coolers

Vortex Coolers are an affordable, low maintenance, and easy to install alternative for thermal management of electrical cabinets and control panels. Using filtered compressed air and vortex tube technology, Vortex Coolers provide cooling capacities to 5000 BTUH and maintain NEMA 4, 4X and 12 ratings.

http://www.process-controls.com/Pelmar/Vortex_Enclosure_Coolers.html
http://www.itwvortec.com/vortex_coolers.php



http://www.process-controls.com/Pelmar/images/New/CAG_lonely.jpg
Cold Air Guns from Pelmar Engineering

Cold Air Guns use filtered compressed air (80-100 PSIG) and vortex tube technology to produce sub-zero air for industrial spot cooling.

http://www.process-controls.com/Pelmar/Spot_Cooling_Systems.html







http://www.newmantools.com/vor780.htm
http://www.newmantools.com/vor780.jpg
http://www.process-controls.com/Pelmar/Cold_Pump_Air_Conditioner.html
http://www.process-controls.com/Pelmar/noren_compact_cabinet_coolers.htm





:eek: ;) :)
 
Thats interesting stuff Samsung.... do you have to attach a source of high pressure air to those devices to make them work? If so that may make them a little impractical for the typical home user, but definitely interesting stuff.
 
I was thinking the same thing, how long would the air last. It shows special nozzles to save on air, and but how loud would it be? :eek: Maybe a mini jet airplane I don't know. :eek: ;) :)
 
This is where you would worry about MOISTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
what if u were to put lots of silicon crystals to absorb the moisture ? Whatever they are that u find in shoe boxes ..
 
As stated, moisture isn't a problem. Condensation happens on things that are colder than the air around them, not hotter, as computer components would be.

You are not the first person to have thought of this idea. In fact, I would go so far as to say that almost everyone who is getting into modding has this idea at one time or another.

jpmkm is right, it would be hard to get to work and if it did work, it wouldn't work for long. It would also be highly ineffcient -- the compressor would have to be constantly running, and even though it couldn't keep it cool, your power consumption would be very high.
 
I don't think you are reading the articles waddle, there is no compressor and its already been used in this sort of application successfully
 
waddles said power consumption would be very high for compressor.

For vortex one it says, Vortex Tubes Features & Benefits

- Uses only compressed air - no electricity or refrigerants

I wonder how much compressed air costs. oh well.
 
I think waddles was talking about a standard compressor-based refrigerator, not the vortex tubes. That's what it sounded like at least.
 
jpmkm said:
I think waddles was talking about a standard compressor-based refrigerator, not the vortex tubes. That's what it sounded like at least.
Click to expand...


ya, sounded like that to me too.

(talking about vortex tubes now)

it's really impressive (at least to me) that they can separate hot and cold air just by blowing it into a tube.

though you might not like the idea of a high pressure high velocity hot air stream being randomly blown into your room. might try routing it outside.

just gotta figure out how much compressed air costs to compress, and get a compressor constantly running :p
 
yeah, sounded like he was comparing the power it would take over the tube idea, which has no electricity to use, except to buy the air.

Thanks for the replies. :)
 
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