[Q] Laptop cooler pad - DIY


  1. Posts : 1,210
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 (XP, 98SE, 95, 3.11, DOS 7.10 on VM) + Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Lucid Lynx
       #1

    [Q] Laptop cooler pad - DIY


    Hi All,

    I've been working on a low cost DIY laptop cooler pad and have completed it. Its just a rough one with a hard board and two 12v fans with a USB cable from an old mouse. The cost worked out to around $2 :)

    The fans work quite fine on 5v from the USB, but I was just wondering if there was any way of boosting the 5v output from the USB to 12v for the fans ?

    [Q] Laptop cooler pad - DIY-dsc_0215.jpg [Q] Laptop cooler pad - DIY-dsc_0216.jpg
    [Q] Laptop cooler pad - DIY-dsc_0218.jpg [Q] Laptop cooler pad - DIY-dsc_0219.jpg

    The black piece of plastic on the top left corner in the first picture does nothing right now, but was planning on a switch or a potentiometer later on.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 10,994
    Win 7 Pro 64-bit
       #2

    Nice project. I like it!

    I'm relying strictly on memory so there's a good possibility I'm wrong. But I think each USB port (2.0 and 3.0) is rated at 5V with an actual working voltage of around 4.5-4.7V. A 2.0 port is rated at 500mA per port while 3.0 has up to 900mA per port.

    The only way I can think of to increase power to the fans is to use a Y-conector cable and plug into two ports or perhaps use a powered USB hub by itself or along with a Y-cable. But like I said, I could be totally wrong on this.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,210
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 (XP, 98SE, 95, 3.11, DOS 7.10 on VM) + Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Lucid Lynx
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Lee,

    I'd forgotten about Y-cables . Those should do the trick, but would take up two USB ports
    Will check that out today.

    On the other hand, there are a few schematics on the net for boosting 5v to 12v, sacrificing the amperage, but I'm a total noob at electronics :)
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 152
    Windows 7 Enterprise 64bit Desktops; Windows 7 Professional 64Bit 17"Laptop
       #4

    The answer sadly is that a Y-cable will do nothing except to use up 2 ports. The spec for USB 2 ports is 5 volts @ 500ma max. You cannot make the voltage any higher. You would be increasing the available current-which does nothing to speed up the fans.
    The best solutions are
    1. 5 volt fans
    2. a 12 volt @ 1 amp (or higher current) wall wart.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 11,424
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
       #5

    I would go with the wall wart but the noise off these fans running wide open at 12volt is going to drive you out of the room.
    Last edited by linnemeyerhere; 21 Sep 2013 at 10:51.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,045
    Win8/8.1,Win7-U64, Vista U64, uncounted Linux distor's
       #6

    $7 shipped, three 5v fans with a single usb connector. Great on a hard surface but to flimsy for your lap. Does a good job of cooling and gives you a nice angle on the keyboard.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,210
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 (XP, 98SE, 95, 3.11, DOS 7.10 on VM) + Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Lucid Lynx
    Thread Starter
       #7

    madcratebuilder said:
    $7 shipped, three 5v fans with a single usb connector. Great on a hard surface but to flimsy for your lap. Does a good job of cooling and gives you a nice angle on the keyboard.
    Thanks for the link :) but I'll pass on that since this is a diy and also it costs thrice
    Just checked it again, Shipping $15 to India
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,045
    Win8/8.1,Win7-U64, Vista U64, uncounted Linux distor's
       #8

    gladson1976 said:
    madcratebuilder said:
    $7 shipped, three 5v fans with a single usb connector. Great on a hard surface but to flimsy for your lap. Does a good job of cooling and gives you a nice angle on the keyboard.
    Thanks for the link :) but I'll pass on that since this is a diy and also it costs thrice
    Just checked it again, Shipping $15 to India
    That makes a big difference. I should have caught that you are in India. If you want to get full fan speed you could look for a wall wart that provides 12vdc, but then you are tethered to a wall plug.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,210
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 (XP, 98SE, 95, 3.11, DOS 7.10 on VM) + Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Lucid Lynx
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Guess I'll have to go with the wall wart to get full speed, or I might try a 9 volt battery :)
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 11,424
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
       #10

    Not to discount your project but just raising a laptop so it draws cool air helps a ton. See this little widget I bought and you can make. What I like about it is how it raises the screen up. I use this with another 23" led in a dual screen set up with wireless mouse and keyboard and it rocks.

    Amazon.com: 3M Vertical Notebook Riser (LX550): Office Products

    [Q] Laptop cooler pad - DIY-hpim1707.jpg
      My Computer


 

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