Acrylic Case for BFL Singles

[xDGDZEx]

As the rest of my singles are due to arrive soon, I am contemplating the issue of where exactly I am going to put them. I would eventually like to have them on their own computer (Raspberry Pi or a small Atom HTPC), but for now they will have to be in my room attached to my main rig. Now, even though they are quiet and don't produce as much heat as GPUs, even a couple are enough to raise the temperature of my room too much for my liking.

So I'm trying to devise an enclosure for them. My best idea as of now is making a cube (2 layers stacked on top of each other) or a rectangle (1 layer) out of clear acrylic and putting peel and stick soundproofing on the inside. Then drilling holes in the back for a usb and power pass through, as well as holes on the top and bottom for ventilation.

Does anyone have any ideas to make something like this? I want to really think it through before making it. I was even thinking about using flexible dryer vent pipe to route cool air in from outside and hot air back out.

Let's discuss. 

[ELT]

I would, if I had the money to get more than one atm, would design my case as such, under the assumption that they move air in one direction. Tier the case such that they always pull in cold air and exhaust warm air.  Sort of like how I current push in on top of the cards and pull the warm air out and dispense of it outside.

So outer case, top level will be empty space and will have direct air flow into the singles, the next level will house the singles and pipe the hot air somewhere else.

I hope that made anysense.

ELT

[xDGDZEx]

That does make sense, but I was thinking pull cold air in from the bottom, and exhaust it out the top. Mostly because that's the direction of the air flow that the Single's fans create. Also, hot air rises, so I was thinking that it would be more efficient.

[Cablez]

Why use acrylic if you are going to be using sound dampener material.  You will just be looking at the glue side.  Maybe try aluminum?

[shackleford]

As the rest of my singles are due to arrive soon, I am contemplating the issue of where exactly I am going to put them. I would eventually like to have them on their own computer (Raspberry Pi or a small Atom HTPC), but for now they will have to be in my room attached to my main rig. Now, even though they are quiet and don't produce as much heat as GPUs, even a couple are enough to raise the temperature of my room too much for my liking.

So I'm trying to devise an enclosure for them. My best idea as of now is making a cube (2 layers stacked on top of each other) or a rectangle (1 layer) out of clear acrylic and putting peel and stick soundproofing on the inside. Then drilling holes in the back for a usb and power pass through, as well as holes on the top and bottom for ventilation.

Does anyone have any ideas to make something like this? I want to really think it through before making it. I was even thinking about using flexible dryer vent pipe to route cool air in from outside and hot air back out.

Let's discuss. 

I am working on something similar with acrylic (dam that stuff is expensive)... plan is to put 4 cards (not BFL's) in a single enclosure with an internal 4port USB and internal 1-4  power spliter. Just got my cards so I can make proper mesurments. Will be ordering my acrylic tonight probably.

[shackleford]

Why use acrylic if you are going to be using sound dampener material.  You will just be looking at the glue side.  Maybe try aluminum?

Agreed Acrylic makes no sense for this.

[xDGDZEx]

Why use acrylic if you are going to be using sound dampener material.  You will just be looking at the glue side.  Maybe try aluminum?

Well acrylic does come in solid colors you know  . Mostly it's because I thought the aesthetics plus the light weight and ease of assembly (drilling, gluing, etc) made it the best choice

[rjk]

That does make sense, but I was thinking pull cold air in from the bottom, and exhaust it out the top. Mostly because that's the direction of the air flow that the Single's fans create. Also, hot air rises, so I was thinking that it would be more efficient.

Unfortunately, the singles pull in the air at the middle and exhaust it out the top and the bottom. However if you removed the boards from the enclosures, you might be able to optimize the cooling to better suit your application.

[xDGDZEx]

  you are totally right. But a bottom to top airflow couldn't hurt.

[ELT]

That does make sense, but I was thinking pull cold air in from the bottom, and exhaust it out the top. Mostly because that's the direction of the air flow that the Single's fans create. Also, hot air rises, so I was thinking that it would be more efficient.

Ya, that makes sense either way works, but sectioning off the air flows would help a lot and prevent watsing fan energy just to recirculate hot air.

[1l1l11ll1l]

Just grab yourself one of these, they move massive amounts of air. Would easily cool everything you drop in there.

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-portable-ventilator-97762.html

[guruvan]

Just grab yourself one of these, they move massive amounts of air. Would easily cool everything you drop in there.

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-portable-ventilator-97762.html

+1

one of those, and some flextube to run it out the window and you're good. If still it's too hot, I'd get 2 and enclose the whole batch in their own box, with intake & outtake. (or the air conditioning if outside temps are hot)

[rjk]

Just grab yourself one of these, they move massive amounts of air. Would easily cool everything you drop in there.

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-portable-ventilator-97762.html

+1

one of those, and some flextube to run it out the window and you're good. If still it's too hot, I'd get 2 and enclose the whole batch in their own box, with intake & outtake. (or the air conditioning if outside temps are hot)

Ahaha, besides the fact that it uses 165 watts which is the same as 2 singles

[guruvan]

you just need more singles to make it cost effective

[Epoch]

That does make sense, but I was thinking pull cold air in from the bottom, and exhaust it out the top. Mostly because that's the direction of the air flow that the Single's fans create. Also, hot air rises, so I was thinking that it would be more efficient.

Unfortunately, the singles pull in the air at the middle and exhaust it out the top and the bottom. However if you removed the boards from the enclosures, you might be able to optimize the cooling to better suit your application.

Yes, the currently shipping Rev2 Singles pull cold air in from the sides and exhaust it out the top AND bottom. Of course it is possible to change the orientation of one or both fans if desired, or take the side/top covers off. Not sure how that will affect cooling ... they seem to be sensitive to temperature (I believe BFL stated 72F is safe for full-speed operation) and are prone to throttling if they get too hot.

I don't know if the Rev3 design will continue to use 2 fans; BFL may make an alteration in the enclosure and do away with the bottom fan altogether.

As far as noise, I've heard conflicting reports. A Rev2 Single uses two 2400RPM 92mm case fans running full speed. I'm not sure anyone can honestly describe a 2400RPM fan using the word 'quiet'. I have similar fans and, in my experience, these are quite noisy.