Tuesday, July 3, 2007

HACK: 6 ways to keep your electronics cool this summer



You could rig up something like the above - sure - but you could also follow a few basic steps listed below. Steps that don't require a degree in mechatronic engineering.

The list is a summary of an article over at Of Zen and Computing, with headings as follows:

  • Don't stack electronics
    Is your Xbox sitting on top of your DVD player? Stacked electronics means heat is shared between devices, rather than disappating away.
  • Keep vents clear
    Is air-flow to and from your electronic devices blocked in any way? Give them some space to breathe.
  • Position electronics away from heat
    Treat your electronics like vampires and don't let them sit in the sun. Keep them near a fan or air-conditioner if possible.
  • It's never too late for spring cleaning
    Clean dust from the interior and exterior of your PC or consoles with canned air, available at any good office supply store.
  • In case of emergency, shut down
    If you think one of your devices might be over-heating, turn it off and disconnect the power supply. Leave it until the case is cool to the touch.
I'd also add a tip an old friend taught me. Dust inside electronic devices impedes airflow and makes it harder to keep them cool. Dust enters the device via air intake vents which work at sucking air from the surrounding area. To reduce dust intake, don't let the area around your devices get dusty. I wipe my desk down once a week with a damp cloth - it works a charm.

The above points are just a summary of the article. For more tips and detail you can read the article in full via the link below.

[Tips for keeping your electronics cool in summer at Of Zen and Computing]