How do you deal with thermal issues?

**ThePistonDoctor** · 07-14-2009, 05:21 PM

Like the title states, I'm curious how you people in warmer climates are dealing with the fact that the computer in your car has to start during the middle of the day when temps inside your car are > 100*F. Cooling once the PC and car are running is not a problem, but sometimes a computer won't even boot if it's too hot. What are you doing to cool your PCs down before you take off when your car has been sitting in the sun for 6-8 hours and is 120 degrees inside?

**tempgp** · 07-15-2009, 12:06 AM

where was another post w/ same question... the answer was put your comp in the trunk, it is cooler there + you can add extra "case" fan

**csfile** · 07-15-2009, 05:29 PM

what about a solar panel fan?

**LordKaT** · 07-15-2009, 06:29 PM

One trick I've learned is to build a 555 delay circuit so that you provide power to your case fans for a few seconds before you power up the PC.

(for reference you're providing two sources of power, one directly to the fans, and one on the delay circuit that attaches to the power supply)

**Bxsteez** · 07-15-2009, 06:33 PM

I put my unit in the trunk and added 3 case fans. you should also get mobile processors cause i think they have a higher thermal junction temp

**ThePistonDoctor** · 07-15-2009, 07:52 PM

Solar fan....now that's a cool idea. Might have to look into that one. BTW I already have the car PC built and have no problems with it, I was really just curious

**tempgp** · 07-15-2009, 07:57 PM

i thought we agreed that soplar fan is not working =)

**PaulF** · 07-15-2009, 09:17 PM

An average computer fan requires 200 milliamps which is pretty much what the car requires when it's off. So you could even constantly run the fan 24 hours a day and maybe be able to leave the car parked for 2 weeks instead of 4...

**tempgp** · 07-15-2009, 09:31 PM

too risky
dont forget about alarm drain + any other not native electronics installed

**PaulF** · 07-15-2009, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by tempgp

too risky
dont forget about alarm drain + any other not native electronics installed

Risky? Test it. If it works it works, if it doesn't, it doesn't. My 85 ah battery says that would work perfectly for over 17 days if the fan was alone. Add in the power the car needs which is another 200 milliamps so now we're down to just under 9 days. Hell, even throw in 2 other devices with that much drain and you're still at a couple of days. Granted, most batteries aren't 85 ah, but this baby only cost 140 bucks for me. Which is probably cheaper than the solar setup.