Cool Modification, I added two 80mm Fans to my 17" CRT Monitor, Come Look!!!

[mark]

I have a nice generic 17" monitor that I have had since Feb. 1st, 2001.

As everyone knows CRT monitors can get hot. It doesn't help that I live in AZ.

I checked the temps, and it was 20.7C ambient, and 45.2C on the left side, and 38.9C on the right side with the fans off..
With the fans on I got 32C on the left, and 27.7C on the right.
(there was less EMI shield on the top left side)
*I tested this when the fans were just sitting on top of the monitor before I made the cuts.*
I used compunurses.

I also was testing to see if there was any EMI (Interference), there was none.

I am sure the cooling is much better now without all the air flow restriction.

The Total Cost for this Mod was only $4.00.
$1 for each grill and fan. And I had the rest of the stuff laying around.
Forget paying $15+s/h for a manufactured single 80mm monitor cooler.

When I had the monitor open there was an EMI shield made of aluminum. I didn't want to remove all of it, so I just cut parts of it, for where the fans would go, and I used some canned air to remove any dust.
Tin snips make easy work of this, but Be Careful, the leftover edge is very sharp.

So after I cut the EMI shield, I started to get work on the plastic shell. I use a grill to draw a line for where to cutout, and mark where to drill screw holes.

I have a dremel so making the 80mm holes took no time at all. My dremel spins at 30,000rpm so it pretty much melts the plastic.

Then I cleaned up the holes with a file, I lined up the fans one more time to make sure the screw holes were correct, then drilled the holes.

I added the fan hole gasket trim to make it look better, and decided how to run the wires. I wanted to be able to manually turn the fans on and off when I want. So I mounted the switch, and ran the wires to the back of the monitor. How did I power these thing I bet you are asking...

I used a Sony AC to DC Adapter, the ones from portable CD players, it's out put is rated at 4.5V, DC at 500mA.
I might get a more powerful one, like a 6V just to have it cool even more.
I used a molex so I can remove the adapter at any time.

Here is the Specs. of the fans;
Dynatron
Air flow: 28CFM
Rated voltage: 12V DC
Dimensions: 80 x 80 x 25mm
Stacie pressure: 0.15 (inch-H2O)
Noise level: 24dBA
Bearing: Sleeve
Input current: 0.02A
Input power: 2.4W

When these fans are running I cannot hear them from, even when the computer and everything in the room is turned off. I have to put my ear about 4 inches next to them to hear a very quiet whisper.

I know these are working because when the fans are off I can feel heat around the top of the monitor, and when I have them on I can feel all the heat being sucked out.

I wish I had pics when I was doing the Mod, but I forgot. I should have some interior shots of the monitor, along with the EMI shield when I open it up one of these days to push a part the fan hole gasket back just a tad.

I know that monitor carry a lot of voltage, even when unplugged, so if you are looking to do this type of mod, Be Careful.

Oh, I have had this done for about two weeks and I have not had any interference, and can still Degauss my monitor if needed.

Some people will say why bother, I say... The cooler it runs, The longer it lasts.

*After you monitor has been on for an hour or more feel on top of it. Is it hot, warm, room temp?*

Well, anyway, the pics will follow this post. There are 7 of them.

Please tell me what you think. Also ask any questions you have.

mark

oh... I got the fans and grills from www.xoxide.com, and www.pricewatch.com helps.

Here is a picture of the power adapter.

[mark]

here is a frontal pic

[mark]

here is a top pic

[simon389]

sweet man:burn:

[mark]

another top pic

[mark]

left fan close up

[Cown]

Looks nice :cool: Great job

[ross2k]

I use a large CRT (29") and mine has fans in it but there are very much audible. I've always wondered about taking the thing apart and replacing the fans with lower db ones. I tried contacting the maker (NEC) but they were of no help in telling me cfm requirements or even where the fans were located at all.

It sucks, my computer puts out less than 30db, but my monitor probably breaks 35+!

any ideas mark?

[mark]

right fan close up

[mark]

in this pic you can see the very end of the tube

[mark]

ross2k,
first you have to find out what size they are, then if they are running on your 110AC current, or DC powered, and if they are DC.. what is the voltage?
also is there anything blocking the fans?

mark

[ZeroAquaduct]

Wow, that looks good! But what's thie EMI thing you're talking about? I read a little before somewhere, but still not sure what it is.

[rlemieux]

EMI - ElectoMagnetic Interference -

signal on one pair overpowering another pair in a cable - known as Crosstalk - magnetic field generated by the vectored movement of electrons interacting with the electron flow of another cable

In other words, if you have a wire the electricity flowing though that wire makes a electonic field. If you place two wires together one field could over power the other and interfer with its flow.

I know youve done this before, or at least seen it done. Take a wire, coil it around a screwdriver and attach the seperate ends to a battery. The Electomagnetic field from the wire magnitizes the screwdriver.

[Xaeron]

wow... that's very nice! you've just inspired me :D

[XeeN]

How much higher can you overclock it?

Er...

[Slowmo]

Excellent Craftsmanship!!
If I'd do that, it'd look like a kindergarten class project.
Why do this anyway? What is to gain, other than the fun of doing it?

[mark]

I don't know about overclocking it, hehehe

but around the ends of the glass, it's being covered up by the plastic, my monitor is 16" viewable (diagonal). I guess if I ram\n it without the plastic cover I could have like 16.5 or 17" viewable.

as far as why did it do it...

to cool it

it always seem to run hot, so i figured why not add some fans, like we do with computer cases.

the cooler it runs, the longer it lasts

mark

[ZeroAquaduct]

Yes, it won't help in performance, but it'll definately lengthen the useful life. And besides, who cares, as long as it looks good, mod it! I'll probably copy your idea and mod my monitor too, but I don't think I'm skilled enough with the cutting. ;)

[ZeroAquaduct]

Originally posted by rlemieux
EMI - ElectoMagnetic Interference -

signal on one pair overpowering another pair in a cable - known as Crosstalk - magnetic field generated by the vectored movement of electrons interacting with the electron flow of another cable

In other words, if you have a wire the electricity flowing though that wire makes a electonic field. If you place two wires together one field could over power the other and interfer with its flow.

I know youve done this before, or at least seen it done. Take a wire, coil it around a screwdriver and attach the seperate ends to a battery. The Electomagnetic field from the wire magnitizes the screwdriver.

This is much easier to read than the other stuff I read. Thanks! :cool:

[FIZZ3]

Originally posted by mark
I don't know about overclocking it, hehehe

but around the ends of the glass, it's being covered up by the plastic, my monitor is 16" viewable (diagonal). I guess if I ram\n it without the plastic cover I could have like 16.5 or 17" viewable.

as far as why did it do it...

to cool it

it always seem to run hot, so i figured why not add some fans, like we do with computer cases.

the cooler it runs, the longer it lasts

mark

I wonder how the extended monitor life is related to the reduction in human hearing ability? =]

[mark]

When these fans are running I cannot hear them from, even when the computer and everything in the room is turned off. I have to put my ear about 4 inches next to them to hear a very quiet whisper.

hehe

mark

[FIZZ3]

Originally posted by mark


hehe

mark

I'm sorry to see that the damage is already done. =D

[Steelforge]

I'm not trying to quash your accomplishment or anything. It is a great mod. But you might want to post a disclaimer or warnign of some type to any other would be modders reminding them that a CRT is a HIGH VOLTAGE piece of equipment and great care should be exercised when chopping into equipment that RETAINS A CHARGE even after it has been unplugged.

Also on an off-hand note, those EMI plates are there to keep emissions in, not out. Just an extra heads up.

Damn sweet setup.:)

[rlemieux]

Most everyone that does this kind of things knows the dangers associated with computer, especially monitors and PSUs. Common sense takes you a long way. If you dont have the common sence in the first place no amount of disclaimers or warnings are going to give it to you.

The guy just posted some pics of a nice looking mod, he is not showing an instructional video or a how to do class.