running a mining rig inside a mini fridge

[mxc0bbn]

Ok, so I wanted to get you in here because I've been thinking a lot about how to best cool a mining rig.  I've started doing research on the electrical usage of a mini-fridge and it looks like with "average use", a relatively efficient model can use between 300-400kw/h per year which works out to between 1 and 1.5kw/h per day.  At ~$0.11/kw/h that's about ~$44 per month.  I know I'm not talking average use for this purpose, but gotta baseline somewhere.

The walls of the fridge are insulated so I figured if you can put the psu on the outside, drill holes for the cables and get good placement of the components inside it might work out...so here are the things of this crazy idea I want sanity checks on:

(1 and 2 I think are equally important)

1.   Keeping a steady temperature with no heat sources fighting you is one thing, but having two heat generators in there will definitely strain components...Can the refrigeration components inside a mini-fridge take the constant usage 24/7 the way a central A/C can or will it kaput in short order?

2.  How do I keep the humidity from condensation low enough where it doesn't damage the rigs? (Is it even possible inside such a small space?)

3.  If 1 and 2 above can be conquered...should I add a fan to vent the heat from the cards while the fridge's blower blows in cold air?

4.  Would it just be saner to build a 6foot x 3foot x 3foot insulated cabinet and use a small window A/C to pump cold air in or is this just as crazy?


Disclaimer: No drugs were involved in the making of this idea  

[ninjarobots]

The Cryonic Bitcoin Mining Machine Is $15,000 Of Pure BTC Power | TechCrunch

http://techcrunch.com/2013/05/23/the-cryonic-bitcoin-mining-machine-is-15000-of-pure-btc-power/

Something like this 

[01BTC10]

It will not work.

4.  Would it just be saner to build a 6foot x 3foot x 3foot insulated cabinet and use a small window A/C to pump cold air in or is this just as crazy?

This is a much better idea.

[Ekaros]

If you area talking about cheap mini-fridges they aren't really designed to cool stuff as much as keep it cool.

I don't think they can even move out all the heat that is generated by almost anything inside...

The later idea is more workable.

[mprep]

I don't think it's a good idea as the constant heat coming from the rig would simply screw up the mini fridge.

[raze]

This idea crossed my mind as well, many moons ago. Of course it works in your head because you want it to, but it turns out it doesn't.

The second idea sounds feasible enough (though it could get expensive?) as long as you set up the airflow correctly.

[patricktim]

why dont you buy a cheap second hand fridge~

[raze]

why dont you buy a cheap second hand fridge~

Did you even read anything?

[Photon939]

The BTU removal capacity of a mini fridge compressor is going to be far smaller than the heat output of even a single HD5870, they're also not designed for continuous operation. The condenser would become saturated and the compressor overloaded in less than an hour of running.

A window aircon however has fan cooled heat rejection and a compressor about 20x larger. This is a viable option, although it will use a decent chunk of power.

[Ekaros]

So most designs but cascade-compressors out of question?

[pekv2]

running a mining rig inside a mini fridge

It is absolutely not recommended to do this. For obvious reasons. 1) It will not work. 2) you will ruin your hardware https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensation 3) I know I said will never link to oc.net ever again, but this is a must read http://www.overclock.net/t/105345/info-fridge-as-pc-cooler 4) You'd be better off with a 2-3 stage phase change cooler.

[pand70]

running a mining rig inside a mini fridge

2) you will ruin your hardware https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensation

Condensation it's not a problem as long as your motherboard works while submerged into oil.   

http://www.overclock.net/t/605174/a-mini-fridge-can-cool-a-pc

Eventually he failed but still it was a decent try lol 

[pekv2]

running a mining rig inside a mini fridge

2) you will ruin your hardware https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensation

Condensation it's not a problem as long as your motherboard works while submerged into oil.  

running a mining rig inside a mini fridge

 ^^ Title

[RichG]

Put your rig in this:



Sorry, forgot to crop image! 

[mxc0bbn]

Wow! so much good stuff here I don't know where to begin...so I guess I'll begin in the 24th and a half century:

Kryoniks?  Really? I think those guys really think the world is full of Homer Simpsons Peter Griffins cause basically those are the only people that would fall for that load of crap!  Mine bitcoins AND litecoins at the SAME HASHRATE with the SAME HARDWARE while MAKING NITROGEN?!?!?  How about a holodeck too while you're at it?

(2 minute pause while I laugh my ass off)


01BTC10:
Thanks for the feedback and I think you're right...but what's with the diagram of the refrigeration system?


Everyone else who said the compressor would burn out
Thanks, I thought as much, but having a consensus removes any doubt...


pekv2
Great link...thanks...That example with the room temp coke bottle illustrates the point beautifully.  
So why don't you like linking over there?  Article seems well written and thought out...


pand70

Condensation it's not a problem as long as your motherboard works while submerged into oil.

Not even the same thing...Mineral oil is not electrically conductive (as water is) so it doesn't short out circuits...just makes them all greasy ...case in point, all electrical transformers like the ones hanging on utility poles use Mineral oil for coooling.

This is how you really do it though if you're interested:




RichG
I'm assuming that is a sketch of an enclosure?...what are the dimmensions? Can't get a good mental picture from your sketch...



So the bottom line definitely the custom built enclosure would be the way to go.  With adequate airflow as was mentioned.  I already have a crazy design idea in mind for the cabinet...just a matter of building it...

Thanks all for the feedback.

[RichG]

Wow! so much good stuff here I don't know where to begin...so I guess I'll begin in the 24th and a half century:

Kryoniks?  Really? I think those guys really think the world is full of Homer Simpsons Peter Griffins cause basically those are the only people that would fall for that load of crap!  Mine bitcoins AND litecoins at the SAME HASHRATE with the SAME HARDWARE while MAKING NITROGEN?!?!?  How about a holodeck too while you're at it?

(2 minute pause while I laugh my ass off)


01BTC10:
Thanks for the feedback and I think you're right...but what's with the diagram of the refrigeration system?


Everyone else who said the compressor would burn out
Thanks, I thought as much, but having a consensus removes any doubt...


pekv2
Great link...thanks...That example with the room temp coke bottle illustrates the point beautifully.  
So why don't you like linking over there?  Article seems well written and thought out...


pand70

Condensation it's not a problem as long as your motherboard works while submerged into oil.

Not even the same thing...Mineral oil is not electrically conductive (as water is) so it doesn't short out circuits...just makes them all greasy ...case in point, all electrical transformers like the ones hanging on utility poles use Mineral oil for coooling.

This is how you really do it though if you're interested:




RichG
I'm assuming that is a sketch of an enclosure?...what are the dimmensions? Can't get a good mental picture from your sketch...



So the bottom line definitely the custom built enclosure would be the way to go.  With adequate airflow as was mentioned.  I already have a crazy design idea in mind for the cabinet...just a matter of building it...

Thanks all for the feedback.

Yes, that is an enclosure. My box fan is about 2 1/2 ft tall, so you would have 3ft to put the rig in, then a vent at the end. I do not know how much power this setup would use, since I don't have a kill-a-watt.
Also, (duh!) put a hole for your power cords on one of the walls on this "mining box". I would go for plywood for the outer shell because it's cheap and durable. Plexi is OK, too.

[cp1]

a relatively efficient model can use between 300-400kw/h per year which works out to between 1 and 1.5kw/h per day.  

If it uses 1 kWh per day that means it can only cool something like 0.85 kWh per day.  If your rig draws more than 35 watts this is going to be a problem.

[pekv2]

pekv2
So why don't you like linking over there?  Article seems well written and thought out...

Np.
The mods are censoring loving whores, from the stomachs of censoring whore mothers. I think that's is clean and cut.

[mxc0bbn]

Np.
The mods are censoring loving whores, from the stomachs of censoring whore mothers. I think that's is clean and cut.

Stop beating around the bush and tell me how you really feel about them   

[pekv2]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=177154.0