Cooling

[TMaster]

I Just got the 4 axis setup and I'm wondering if the 1 fan it came with is enough to cool the board and PSU inside a DM-3 case I bought. THe case is about 11x10x3.3". Right now the fan will be setup back and next to the board, but not directly over the sinks nor directly in front of them. I plan on drilling holes to let the air come in. :P You guys think this will be good? OR should I go all out and rig up 2 fans inside using about .25A ?

[ger21]

The fan needs to blow directly on the heat sinks.

[diecutter]

I have two tandem fans on the top of the case of my 4 axis controller. They run
directly off the 120 ac line. Even if one quits, there is still airflow over the heat
sink from the other one. Plus they look cool.

[TMaster]

Alright, I'm getting the Idea that this thing needs to be cool. I'm running the 24VDC - 4.5amp PSU that comes with the kit. I'll either just run 2, 12VDC case fans in series, or I'll use a 120VAC fan i have thats the same size off its own power. Thanks guys

[ger21]

You should have 1 or 2 fans circulating air through the case, and another blowing directly on the Xylotex.

[TMaster]

i was thinking about mounting two 80mm 30cfm fans right behind the board or on top both pulling air out of the case. My space is pretty limited.
I bought a 12VDC voltage regulator 1amp max, to run the two fans in parallel of 12volts instead of running the fans in series off the 24V. My brother said that would be better for the fans. ?

I have a question about the power supply. Inside there is a 3amp fuse, but the PSU is rated for 4.5 amps. Are they jsut being safe? Can i put in a 4amp fuse and still be ok also? or is the 3amp fuse plennty for running 4 axis board and 2 fans? maybe i worry to much!

[ger21]

You should never put a bigger than stock fuse in anything.

And for the last time, you might have problems if the fan is not blowing directly on the Xylotex heatsinks.

[TMaster]

Ok thanks, I will have some pictures up soon

[TMaster]

30 cfm blowing on the Xylotex board, and 30 cfm pulling out next to the board. I also could have them both pulling out and drill holes in the case for intake. But i'll try the push and pull first. 12VDC output voltage regulator from radioshack, running off the 26VDC output

[js11110]

I just bought the 4 axis "plug and play" setup. Being the inquizitive mind that I am, I opened the case to take a look. My case has 2 fans. 1 in the back blowing in , and another one mounted right above the board blowing upwards away from the board. Is this right? I would think that the one on top of the board would be blowing downward pushing the air towards the board not away, but what do I know?

[TMaster]

I think either way is fine. I have mine running now and the board doesnt get hot at all. 30 ipm. Of course the motors are not mounted to the mill yet, but still i think it will be fine. AS long as your removing the warm air from the enclosure and away from the sinks your good to go.

[js11110]

Yes, but what I don't understand is the fan that is blowing upwards isn't blowing out of the box through a hole in the top like in your pictures. It is mounted very close above the board and about 1/4" away from the inside of the box blowing against the underside of the top of the box(if that makes any sense to you) also, there is a fan on the back of the box blowing inwards, and a intake hole on the bottom for air flow. So the fan on the board blowing up is drawing air from the intake and the the one on the back blowing in is just taking in air from outside? I don't see where the heat from the board is going to.