cooling a media cabinet

[aehusted]

I am finishing my basement and putting in a big media center as part of it.
I will have a Receiver, DVD, PS3 and VCR in there (for starters )and I don't want the heat to end up being a problem. I want the cabinet to stay closed because this will also be a play area for little kids. The cabinet will be built-in between a small closet and a vented gas fireplace. Since the closet is only really there to hide the sump, I have no problem knocking out a hole between the inside of the cabinet and the closet.

I was planning on using some cheap muffin fans and a temperature sensor from an attic fan. It would only cost $40-50 and that way it would be self contained, pretty silent and I would not have to bother with any logic on my ElkM1 or Indigo. Then I started looking at receivers and it looks like many have serial and ethernet communications now, which may be handy for other reasons. So now I am reconsidering. As long as the fans are very quiet, I would rather they be switched in sync with the receiver power.

Does anyone have advice on setting up something like this?

 

[pkoslow]

Your receiver likely has a switched outlet on the back, so no need to fool with serial, ethernet or M1 rules... just plug a 12v transformer into the switched outlet and use it to power a 12v fan whenvever the reciever is on.

If you want something available commercially that's controlled with a thermostat, Middle Atlantic makes a nice little unit called the CAB-COOL.

 

[aehusted]

The MidAtlantic stuff looks great, but I think it might be more than I need. I don't need anything pretty since it will not be visible.
Switched power on the Receiver is definitely my first choice. I will have to keep my eyes peeled for this when shopping...

Your receiver likely has a switched outlet on the back, so no need to fool with serial, ethernet or M1 rules... just plug a 12v transformer into the switched outlet and use it to power a 12v fan whenvever the reciever is on.

If you want something available commercially that's controlled with a thermostat, Middle Atlantic makes a nice little unit called the CAB-COOL.

 

[drozwood90]

Your receiver likely has a switched outlet on the back, so no need to fool with serial, ethernet or M1 rules... just plug a 12v transformer into the switched outlet and use it to power a 12v fan whenvever the reciever is on.

If you want something available commercially that's controlled with a thermostat, Middle Atlantic makes a nice little unit called the CAB-COOL.

seconded!

 

[RHT]

I am finishing my basement and putting in a big media center as part of it.
I will have a Receiver, DVD, PS3 and VCR in there (for starters )and I don't want the heat to end up being a problem. I want the cabinet to stay closed because this will also be a play area for little kids. The cabinet will be built-in between a small closet and a vented gas fireplace. Since the closet is only really there to hide the sump, I have no problem knocking out a hole between the inside of the cabinet and the closet.

I was planning on using some cheap muffin fans and a temperature sensor from an attic fan. It would only cost $40-50 and that way it would be self contained, pretty silent and I would not have to bother with any logic on my ElkM1 or Indigo. Then I started looking at receivers and it looks like many have serial and ethernet communications now, which may be handy for other reasons. So now I am reconsidering. As long as the fans are very quiet, I would rather they be switched in sync with the receiver power.

Does anyone have advice on setting up something like this?

Your best bet if you plan to expand this cabinet is to vent to air into another cavity. If you can get a 4" duct from the cabinet into the attic or a crawlspace, you could install a real blower like a fantech fr110 booster fan. this will move around 120 cfm. The blower makes a bit of noise but is quiet for the cfm it moves..thats why you remote locate it into the attic or crawlspace. Add a cheap t-stat in the back of the cabinet and you can forget about it and enjoy a cooool cabinet.

RHT

 

[pkoslow]

This is an inexpensive thermostat (Ductstat) that switches 110v. It's an easy way to switch line voltage fans or power supplies to power 12v fans for cooling applications.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores...amp;marketID=48

 

[electriclight]

Another option is to use a small bathroom vent fan (a quiet one) like the Panasonic unit at the link below. I put one of these at the top of an A/V equipment closet and it worked well.

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electro...5702#tabsection

Use the Duct Stat above and youv'e got an automated solution!

 

[Sacedog]

If you are interested, I purchased a Panasonic whisper quite fan to cool a closet that was going to hold a wine refridegerator. We ended up converting the closet ot a butlers pantry with no door, so we did not need the fan. It was installed, but never operated. If you are interested, I'll give you a great deal on it.

 

[aehusted]

No thanks, but you may have some other interested parties here.

The carpenter is going to build the cabinet with vents for passive cooling. I may end up adding a fan later, but this might be enough.

If you are interested, I purchased a Panasonic whisper quite fan to cool a closet that was going to hold a wine refridegerator. We ended up converting the closet ot a butlers pantry with no door, so we did not need the fan. It was installed, but never operated. If you are interested, I'll give you a great deal on it.

 

[znelbok]

bathroom fan with a dimmer to slow it and keep it quiet.

Get the largest possible so that it will move more air at a slower speed.

Make sure air can be drawn into the area as well

Mick