Ventillation or extractor for under stairs cupboard

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openmedia

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#280206 2-Dec-2020 14:45

We've got our home server, routers and HTPC gear running in a large-ish under-stairs cupboard that is starting to get a little warm as we head into summer.

I could put a passive vent in the door, but it feels like I need a bit more air-movement. Any tips on getting something near silent in place that is ideally near silent.

The room is on an outside wall, but I also want to make sure it doesn't get over cold in winter.

A simple option is a door based vent along the lines of

http://www.osbournes.co.nz/door-grilles.htm

This option looks great but I havent' seen anything equivalent in NZ

Has anyone played with these intelligent fans?

https://www.plumbingplus.co.nz/products/manrose-intellivent-extractor-fan-celsius-starter-kit-white/

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

sittingduckz

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#2614794 2-Dec-2020 14:53

I have one of these with a small cooling fan plugged into it. works well for me

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/arlec-temperature-controlled-programmable-timer_p4420584

I'm not a complete idiot, I still have some parts missing.

neb

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#2616445 4-Dec-2020 19:10

On a related note, I'll also be siting a bunch of networking gear in a cupboard under the stairs, but my concern is (possible) moisture since it's backed by a concrete block wall. I was thinking perhaps a low-speed fan of some kind to... not sure really, there's warm air above the electronics, then an area about 2m back further under the stairs where there might be moisture, but I'm not sure if it's worth setting up the plumbing to move the warm air to back under the stairs and then from there outside the enclosed area.

mdf

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#2616998 6-Dec-2020 14:33

I use an old PC fan and one of these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-PWM-PC-CPU-Fan-Temperature-Control-Speed-Controller-Module-High-Temp-Alarm/112174066548

Works fine, dirt cheap, and the fan is quieter than than the switch, server etc. in the cupboard with it. Currently I'm using the temperature sensor option stand alone but would prefer to integrate it into HA; will get around to that one day.

The particular fan I'm using didn't match the pin out but some jumper cables and experimentation solved that.

Key thing is to consider the airflow path. I have a tall cupboard; wiring convenience dictated that the fan had to go at the bottom so I've set it up to pull in cooler air from the bottom back of the cupboard, then set up a chimney effect (shelves with a good gap at the back) and holes at the top for the hot air to escape. Works well. If you're planning on extracting hot air, put your fan at the top and make sure you have an easy path for cooler air to come it.

mclean

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#2617329 7-Dec-2020 10:35

Holyoakes for door transfer grilles in NZ:

https://www.holyoake.com/Door-Transfer-Grilles.html

You don't really need proper door grilles (which are specially designed to be two-way sight-proof), any grille will do.

But to get natural cooling you'll need one at high level and one at low level. Get the high level one as high as possible, maybe in the wall above the door. Instead of the low level grille you could try under-cutting the door by 25mm or so.

neb

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#2617769 7-Dec-2020 20:09

mclean:
Holyoakes for door transfer grilles

And as always that's the magic formula, once you know the specific name to Google it you can turn up lots of alternatives.

What we really need is a second level of search engine to go from "it's a sort of curved metal thing, powder-coated, you know the thing, you used to be able to get them at Hammer Hardware, tip of my tongue, they're used to realign your running gudgeons, made of tempered steel, wish I could remember the name" to "alternating frobnosticator", and then you Google that.