Another D.I.Y Laptop Cooler Project [W.I.P]

Hello all, i would like to share a Work in progress project of my Laptop Cooler / Stand which i started after getting a Clevo X170KM-G.

Due to the weight of the laptop i wanted something sturdy like really strong, so decided to go down the steel route. Now as i can't weld / don't know how to do it i got a friend to help me.

I made the design for it and then my friend helped me adapt it to make it easier for him to make, it didn't take long to piece it together and 2 test fits later the hole was in the right place and size.

Its not fully completed yet however there is the progress thus far after 8 hours of grinding (Metal was stained and dull) and polishing.



I still have a way to go, Still have to clean up the metal and weld spots on Picture 2 as well as the edges, then i also have to flatten the feet so its level with no rocking.

Then i have the rubber feed mounting to sort, after that its design how the fans are going to connect up to the whole thing, then mesh the hole.

Will being doing this in bits as i am currently using said Laptop Stand / Cooler right now and its been great.

@Mr. Fox what you thing so far? Any suggestions on how to do the fan setup not sure if i want to run the fan from the wall or via USB.

I am open to suggestions for Fans and how to power them as well.

 

Wow, it looks like that is going to be a pretty awesome creation. I look forward to viewing the progress.

I would recommend using an AC adapter to power the fans rather than USB. The USB ports cannot provide enough power for strong fans. If you load the USB ports too much it could also cause problems for the laptop. Here is the model that I use for my modded laptop cooler, and to power three D5 pumps and 18 120MM fans on my big desktop. (That system uses an external self-contained water cooling system.) Since it can keep up with all of that, it should be fine for your laptop cooler.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MGG6SC

You can connect that AC adapter to a fan controller hub like this one with a single molex cable, then run the fans from the controller.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DP9WRZY

If the dimensions fit your flatform, you could use a grille such as this one for attacing the fans and keep the blades out of harm's way.
https://www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-Ventilation-Computer-Electronic/dp/B01LWCQAWN

 

Thank you the reply I know your busy.

Guess I have some measuring to do, AC idea is a smashing idea it will only be powering the fans.

The grill looks very nice it would make the stand pop for sure, if the size is right I could trim down the edge and have it sit flush for easy removal for cleaning etc.

The only thing I know that won't fit is the controller as the whole stand is at a fixed angle so will be looking for a different controller.

What recommendation would you have for fans, Nuctua is the brand I am thinking about but not sure if fan type to use.

Will keep everyone posted with updates when I make progress.

Once its complete will have to find a way to seal it after its been buffed to like glass.

Thanks for your ideas.

 

@Mr. Fox Hi just done some measurements and oh boy did i get them wrong 10.5 cm (h) x 35cm (l), the fans i plan to use are Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM, Premium Quiet Slim Fan, 4-Pin (120x15mm, Brown) which means it should be 14cm (h) x 38cm (l) just for the fans however that grill is 45.72 x 14.22 x 1.52 cm, so i guess i am going to need my friend to make some adjustments. I screwed up big there.

I have also fired off an email to Aqua Tuning UK to see if they have anything ideal for fan controller wise.

 

I have 5 Noctua fans and they are very good quality. They are generally severely overpriced and not (in my opinion) worth the extra money. If you can get them for a good price, then definitely go with Noctua fans.

The most important thing you will need is fans that build strong static pressure and have high CFM (both being important). I would go with the whatever fan you can get with the best specs you can find for the least amount of money. I have generally found XPSC fans to offer very good specs at a reasonable price. Sometimes you can find them on sale very affordably. The 18 fans I mentioned are XSPC fans attached to my MO-RA 360 radiator (9 fans on each side in push/pull).

This might work. It seems very compact. You would need to convert from molex to SATA. Or, you could simply cut the connectors off and butt-splice the wiring, solder and shrink-tube the connections. You only need a single channel, not one for each fan. Noctua NA-FC1, 4-Pin PWM Fan Controller (Black)

 

Thanks once again for your reply, I was looking at that Noctua NA-FC1 however i took the fact that the power cable had also a CPU FAN cable it needed both so dismissed it.

The plan is that the hole is getting increased and i am going to ask for a lip around the hole so i can place some rubber trim in there as to reduce vibration and to hopefully for go any screws to the Laptop cooler to make it easier to remove the whole grill and fans in one go.

I picked the Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM Slim fans for the simple reason of once the grill is on then the depth between the fans and the desk would be reduced.

As for the PSU using an adaptor from Molex power to sata is straight enough. I can't solder for no man shaky jakes for hands.

With the Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM i calculated 120 CFM total over 3 fans at max speed of 1400 rpm which should be ample enough to aid cooling.

Thanks for your response Mr Fox! i am grateful for it.

Edit: Just check and yes i can run the Noctua NA-FC1 with only SATA Power so that solves that issue, i can get the fans for about £20 each, the controller Noctua NA-FC1is about £18, its about £4 for the Molex to Sata Adaptor (EK-LOOP MOLEX TO SATA ADAPTER) by time i add PSU thats about £100 which isn't bad for something that will last.

 

So an update, looks like the current mod is just prototype and another might be made as the issue with the 120mm fan holes is bigger then expected.

Although we could cut and extend the hole size at the bottom so the height was correct we can't do it length ways.

So just send the message to see if another could be made with proper measurements and then simply make sure it works out right.

 

I use these on my "server" and they're great both in performance and warranty replacement.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HC782D5 5 for $50 or less. If you catch them on sale or have a promo on a CC you can get them down to ~$40 or less. They also have 140mm versions with the same power sharing option.

They have PWM sharing built into each fan allowing you to daisy chain multiple fans to one header. I typically have 2-3 on each header w/o power issues as 4 might push the limits of the supply.

 

Nice will keep an eye out for them anyways i have now sorted the right measurements.



Still have to figure out the feet design to ensure the angle of the laptop is still correct whilst giving the fans a little more space also have to sort the size from top of the stand to the edge hole to ensure the laptop doesn't have issues setting on it.

With it being recreated from scratch also means i will be able to have a lip where the grill will sit flush with a rubber trim to allow it dampen the vibrations as well. The Grill is also getting made as well from scratch too from the same bit of steel so its consistent throughout.

I will also be adding a Molex connector into the back feet (Female to Male) so that the controller can connect to that and i can pull the AC Adaptor put like i do with the Laptop PSU.

Both feet sets will also have rubber as well as not to scratch surfaces as well as to add grip.

 

Sounds like a whole lot of effort for a laptop stand but, when you have everything ironed out converting to AL instead of steel might be a good idea to keep it lightweight and also act as a heatsink.

Not really sure the grille portion would be necessary unless it's sitting on your lap. Molex vs USB... Cheap $5 USB power adapter + cord would be sufficient for these fans provided it's a 10W power adapter or of the like.

It's certainly an interesting project that could go somewhere wen complete.

 

Thanks, I chose Stainless Steel due to it being heavy which means i won't be chasing my laptop round, but also because i like to buff stuff to a mirror finish too. Yes converting to Aluminum would be good to make a heatsink from the stand however using steel also has the advantage of being structurally more stable.

As for the Molex Vs USB, after seeking advise from @Mr. Fox i agree with what he said and the risk of frying a USB on this expensive laptop is not worth it. Not only that going to Molex makes life for me easier it means i don't need to solder anything.

I can't wait to complete the whole thing, yes its complicated however it will be built to last with maintance and replacements being easy to do.

 

USB w/ external power supply was the intent not using the ports on the laptop.

Structurally AL can be as firm as you want with thickness / braces applied to it. If they can make vehicles out of it I'm sure a laptop stand shouldn't be an issue other than the welding method changes needed.

Just offering suggestions.

 

Thanks for your suggestion, I am grateful.

Sent from my SNE-LX1 using Tapatalk

 

Just an update, the new one hasn't been made yet, will have to chase my friend about it as I will be purchasing the stuff very soon.

Sent from my SNE-LX1 using Tapatalk

 

Fun project! I've done a half dozen home-baked laptop cooling trays, but I was lazy about building the base portion myself. Here's what I whipped together for the many I've done.

3V-12V variable power adapters https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000059020591.html

DC to molex adapters https://www.ebay.com/itm/253640728449

Fan hubs https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32858309490.html

For mine, I just mount 120MM fans to the bottom of these fan trays with anti-vibration silicone screws
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33045976178.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001470183277.html

I look forward to seeing how your project turns out.

 

I have all the items i need to buy sorted, just having to sort out getting the new stand made right now. However thanks for the suggestions.