Good, bad or stupid idea?

[StevenSeas]

So I just was looking at different fans and stuff to put on my LED heat sink and came across an idea. Does anybody know if I could use something along the lines of this
http://www.staples.com/Targus-Laptop-Chill-Mat/product_759787?cmArea=SC3:CG4:DP1570:CL142670
To either
A) attach to my heat sink instead of 2 individual fans and it be just as effective
B) use in place of a heat sink - doubtful but thought i would ask for input
C) if yes to either of the above how would I go about changing its power source from USB powered to say a 12 or 24 volt source
thanks and gig 'em

[corruption]

Those laptop cooling systems are usually made out of plastic... if you could find one that was an entirely aluminum structure, it might could work -- but would likely defeat any cost savings from a heat sink proper and some fans.

As far as converting USB power to a standard source -- your best bet is to buy one of the wall-wart type adapters with a USB plug, such as this:

http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Memorex-AmpGear-USB-to-AC-Wall-Charger/4104076/product.html?rcmndsrc=2

Just plug it in, and its ready :)

If you do find a laptop cooling assembly thats all aluminum though -- link it up here... you may be onto something :)

-Justin

[Big_Pun]

the make usb adapters to plug in a wall go to radio shack, like for the iphones

[StevenSeas]

so could i just attach it to the top of the heat sink as if it were a fan mount? cuz its still cheaper than 2 fans

[corruption]

How is it cheaper than two fans? Look at newegg -- I got 2 fans, a controller (to allow me to adjust out the peak speeds of the fans) and a power supply for under $10 for my Biocube... :)

-Justin

[corruption]

One thing to remember -- you don't need any kind of specialty fan here. Any PC -type fan will work, and can very easily be adapted to a power supply. You shouldn't need to pay more than 3-4 bucks MAX per fan :)

-Justin

[StevenSeas]

wow definitely not finding those fans lol, what is the db rating on those fans?
and here is one of two that i found but all the aluminum construct laptop chillers are thin aluminum not think like a traditional heat sink

[corruption]

Oh, one more thing -- you probably wouldn't be very effective on this thing just mounting it to a heat sink -- they tend to blow heat up at the base of the laptop, with a bit of a channel between the pad and the laptop to allow heat exchange... You want the heat venting away from your LED heat sink -- it would require completely disassembling the unit, as well as adding in the USB -> DC power conversion block... you're at about 20 bucks for something that could be done much cheaper, and with less modifications :)

-Justin

[StevenSeas]

wow great link thanks Justin, still dont see the 4 dollar fans but I do like the better prices and good quality

[corruption]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010090573%205002&name=%240%20-%20%2410

Sort by lowest price -- most models have a dBA listing on the product summary. Remember though: dBA is largely irrelevant, because you can work around any noise issues with one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118217&cm_re=fanmate_2-_-35-118-217-_-Product

...Just wire power supply -> Zalman fan controller -> fan circuit, easy peasy :)

-Justin

[StevenSeas]

w/ the aluminum ones i could just flip it upside down.... but i was looking at between 10-15 for fans then too... and since i already have a good heatsink ooo well thought it would work and be cheaper but if i can get 2 good fans for under 10 or so and then a controller that would be better than needed, just need to run on my power supply for the leds

[StevenSeas]

wow thanks a ton Justin I definitely need to brush up on my search skilz apparently

[corruption]

Power supply:

http://www.power101.com/item.htm?id=60228

This thing will run 2 fans and a FanMate controller, no problems :) Fast delivery too..

-Justin

[corruption]

just need to run on my power supply for the leds

I wouldn't do this -- run them as a separate circuit. The power supply is dirt cheap and its a simple wiring job -- and it doesn't risk voltage drop on your LED's :)

-Justin

[StevenSeas]

wow sweet, and i can prob find my 24 and 12 volt 1 amp supplys there too for under 30 bucks like i was lookin at lol, just a matter of cutting them up and breadboarding. Thank you soo much, my gf will be soo happy i am not spending a lot more than need, which to her is $10 bucks total on my tank lol

[corruption]

my preferred power supply for buckpuck-driven LED's (I assume thats what you're doing, since Meanwell's don't need another power supply :)) is an off-brand replacement for an older Apple MacBook G4 laptop -- 24v, 2.65a, 11 bucks shipped :D

Here's a link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250511317631&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2F%3Ffsop%3D3 2%26satitle%3D250511317631%26fvi%3D1

-Justin

[StevenSeas]

wow u just saved me like 60 bucks thanks soo much... off hand any super secret cheap cree xpe/xpg sellers that u know of too? could make this and still have money left over for some nice corals lol

[corruption]

Thats the one where they get ya.... the cheapest I've found is from DealExtreme.com, but their catalog is about as fun to dig through as pulling fingernails with pliers. I've also heard questionable things about the quality of the emitters from DealExtreme -- lots of the Cree's they sell are thought to be counterfeit (which is big business in Asia, and part of why the emitters are still as costly as they are..) I'd just go with LEDSupply or Cutter -- they tend to be the best bet :)

-Justin

[corruption]

wow u just saved me like 60 bucks thanks soo much... off hand any super secret cheap cree xpe/xpg sellers that u know of too? could make this and still have money left over for some nice corals lol

BTW -- that PSU should power 3-4 full buckpuck circuits without any issues, I'm currently running 2 circuits on mine...

-Justin

[StevenSeas]

thanks I plan on running 3 full buckpuck 1000ma on each, and then run them to a mini controller like a audrino? Still a lot of kinks to work out. luckly i only need 8-12 more cree LEDs and not all of them...

[StevenSeas]

ooo and i might have to check out how u hooked yours up for ... inspiration lol

[robalv]

I have one of the laptop cooling pads withou the power adapter you could try and see if it would work for you.

[stoneroller]

What' all the fuss? These fans have the Blue LEDs built right in...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=35-104-001-S03&SCList=35-104-001-S01%2c35-104-001-S02%2c35-104-001-S03%2c35-104-001-S04%2c35-104-001-S05&S7ImageFlag=2&Item=N82E16835104001&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=Link%20Depot%20FAN-4LED-80BU%2080mm%20Blue%20LED%20Case%20Fan

JK

[StevenSeas]

no thanks rob
lol I think im going to go with these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999199 super quite which is important as its in my room and is like 2 feet from my roommates desk and bed and, he hates it when the skimmer gets a lil loud. usually its totaly quite an inaudible

[corruption]

I'm telling you, man -- go with a cheaper fan and put the extra cash into a FanMate 2... even below 25dBA is still audible -- a lot louder than your expecting. Get fans in the 20-30dBA range, whatevers cheap, and slap it behind a FanMate 2 -- you'll be able to bring the volume of the fans down to near-silent, and it can be adjusdted if things start humming down the line.

-Justin