Computer case Refrigerator

[spudman029]

Hey spudtech. I'm coming back to you guys to help me with something.

http://inventgeek.com/Projects/Minifridge/Page3.aspx

I recently saw this case mod, and I found it very interesting. From what i understand, the guy used 2 peltier cooling elements from mini fridges to cool his insulated computer case.

What i don't understand exactly is how he hooked the peltiers up to cool the case. He doesn't really explain exactly how he installed them.

The pictures don't really help any, but from what it shows i can see that he put the peltiers in from the back, with the aluminum heatsinks on the outside (back) of the case.

Again, he doesn't really explain how he hooked up the positive or negative leads onto the power supply, or why there are 2 internal fans connected to the peltiers.

I know that those 2 internal fans are for Intel processors, and that if they are touching the peltiers all they are doing is distributing the cold throughout the case.



Any ideas on how he hooked them up to the power supply?

http://inventgeek.com/Projects/Minifridge/Page3.aspx

[Blitz]

He mentioned using a set of Molex connecotrs (4-pin).

[spudman029]

I see that now.

I'm assuming the internal fans are just to spread the cold air around the case.

[jimmy101]

The molex connector will allow you to connect the peltiers to an unused power supply cable. You'll need to figure out (or search for) the standard PC molex pin out pattern to figure out where the 12V is. (I assume the Peltier is 12V). Open up your computer case and see if there is a spare connector hanging from the power supply.

One thing you'll need to check is that the power supply can source enough amps at 12V. Sometimes PC power supplies are kind of wimpy at 12V since much of the system is running from the 5V supply. The peltier probably needs at least 5 amps at 12V.

You also need to think about what you are going to do with any condensation on the peltier. You don't want water dripping onto anything inside the case.

Most surplus places sell the corect molex connector for a buck or so. Or, if you've got an old computer, hard drive, cd drive etc., you can canibalize it for the connector.

[spudman029]

Trust me when i say that i have plenty of spare PSUs and cases lying around to mess with.

The guy that made the first one said he used a single 4pin to connect both peltiers, which would mean Pos\Neg, Pos\Neg. That's the only way it could be hooked up.

As far as condensation goes, maybe that's why he epoxied the 2 fans to the cold blocks on the peltiers (to get rid of moisture and circulate air).

Why would moisture be a bad thing anyway?

[TurboSuper]

Oh, you don't actually use it as a computer...I guess moisture wouldn't be a biggie.

[spudman029]

Oh, you don't actually use it as a computer...I guess moisture wouldn't be a biggie.

lol no, there won't be room for a computer at all.

[ammosmoke]

Wait... this isn't a computer??? Oh... What as waste of a case! There is hardly any room in there for food anyways.

[Blitz]

People who tinker with computers typically have empty computer cases all around, so it's not really a waste -- and I believe the author was more interested in having it just for keeping drinks cool as opposed as having your whole deli inside.

[spudman029]

People who tinker with computers typically have empty computer cases all around, so it's not really a waste -- and I believe the author was more interested in having it just for keeping drinks cool as opposed as having your whole deli inside.

Pretty much. If you even read the post or looked at the link i provided you would have seen that it is for cans. I don't intend on having 4lbs of lunch meat and a bottle of mustard sitting inside so i can make a sammich on demand (fatty).

[jimmy101]

Why would moisture be a bad thing anyway?

Moisture in a frig will lead to mold growth. Most real frigs are designed to purge condensation from inside the frig. (That's what the defrost cycle is for, it dries out both the freezer and frig portion of a standard kitchen refer.)

[ammosmoke]

Why would moisture be a bad thing anyway?

Moisture in a frig will lead to mold growth. Most real frigs are designed to purge condensation from inside the frig. (That's what the defrost cycle is for, it dries out both the freezer and frig portion of a standard kitchen refer.)

I know this topic is a little dead but..... Oooooo. Doesn't that mean you could use a minifridge for a computer case? (The existence of the defrost cycle.)

[starman]

Why would moisture be a bad thing anyway?

Moisture in a frig will lead to mold growth. Most real frigs are designed to purge condensation from inside the frig. (That's what the defrost cycle is for, it dries out both the freezer and frig portion of a standard kitchen refer.)

I know this topic is a little dead but..... Oooooo. Doesn't that mean you could use a minifridge for a computer case? (The existence of the defrost cycle.)

Wouldn't be very practical. Mounting motherboards, drives, power access etc aren't accomodated at all. You would be better off getting a pumped cooling system designed to attach directly to the processor and I/O chipset.

[ammosmoke]

I'm sure that I could come up with something as far as mounting goes. I wasn't overly concerned about that. How cool would it be to have a fridge for a computer case?

[starman]

I'm sure that I could come up with something as far as mounting goes. I wasn't overly concerned about that. How cool would it be to have a fridge for a computer case?

You could just set the complete working computer inside a large enough fridge...punch a small hole for power access and display connection....keyboard, mouse, network, etc could all be wireless.