Cocktail cab ventilation suggestions?

[quarterback]

I've just acquired a monitor for my cocktail cab.  As cocktail cab owners know, it's a cramped space situation inside the cab and I'm anticipating having to deal with the interior heat that accompanies a situation like that.

So I'm curious about fan placement, number and size of fans that people use to keep their cocktail cabs in good working condition.  Also, I remember seeing threads debating the best airflow direction.  Should the air go in or out?

I bought two 120mm computer case fans.  I was going to drill holes in the bottom of my cocktail cab (since it's the least visible place and it's raised off the floor a smidge) but I'm not sure that'll take care of my needs.  The other thought was to put them on the 'back' of the cocktail below the hinge.

Any experience, thoughts or suggestions you all want to pass on to me is welcome.
Thanks
qb

[mj147]

I'm not really sure what specific fans most folks use for their cocktail cabs, but Ive tried many different size/specs for  my computer/mini cab cooling purposes. 

What has worked for me are these;

http://www.happcontrols.com/powersupplies/80000633.htm

I picked some up on eBay fairly cheap and seem to move more air than any regular BB 2500+ rpm computer fan out there.  I have 3 of these guys on my mini  and they kick out alot of air.  They are a bit louder than most computer case fans but barely noticeable while pounding the buttons. 



mj147

[squirrellydw]

This might be helpful.  I am using a 27" monitor like whammocade

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=51279.msg501100#msg501100

[quarterback]

I picked some up on eBay fairly cheap and seem to move more air than any regular BB 2500+ rpm computer fan out there.  I have 3 of these guys on my mini  and they kick out alot of air.  They are a bit louder than most computer case fans but barely noticeable while pounding the buttons. 

Dig it.  Which direction is your airflow?  Are you blowing air onto the hot components or are you pulling it out of your case?

I found one of the other threads I remember reading where people were debating the in and out. 
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=33533.0
Maybe I'll put one or two in the 'floor' as intake fans and one or two on the back with the airflow going out.

This might be helpful.  I am using a 27" monitor like whammocade

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=51279.msg501100#msg501100

Cool.  Thanks for the link.

[squirrellydw]

This is what Whammo and I did.  This is from his site.

One 120mm fan was used on the bottom of the cab under the motherboard blowing air in. Two 80mm fans are also blowing air in from one side. Two 80mm fans on the other side and two 80mm fans on the back are blowing air out. There is also a processor fan of course and an 80mm fan attached to the monitors frame for monitor board cooling. When putting a modern pc (produces a lot of heat) in the same box as a 27" monitor (also a good heat generator) adequate cooling is a must.

[loadman]

..Heat goes up so i say "Suck from the bottom and blow out the top"

I fitted out an original arcade cab and added 4 extra fans

[javeryh]

I bought 4 80mm Vantec fans for mine.  I plan to put one on either side under the CPs - one blowing in and the other out.  I'm also going to have another blowing in from the bottom (which is raised about 4" from the floor).  As for the 4th fan, I might use it inside blowing directly on the monitor if I don't think it's cool enough from the other three.

[quarterback]

I bought 4 80mm Vantec fans for mine.  I plan to put one on either side under the CPs - one blowing in and the other out. 

I think I might do something similar, at least at first because I won't have to cut any holes.  I have automobile style 6x9 speaker grills, but I'll be putting little Creative Labs speakers behind them which are just little 'cubes'.  That'll leave a ton of room for me to put fans next to them as well.   That way I should be able to get some decent cross-ventilation in one side and out the other.

Thanks

[JLR2000]

I'll throw in my 2 cents:

For my cocktail I drilled vent holes in the bottom of the cabinet.  The cabinet is slightly raised on 2x2 "feet".  I have a somewhat small fan (3"/4"?) on the back side blowing OUT of the cab, so air is drawn in from the bottom (where the motherboard is mounted) and pulled out thru the fan port.  Heat never seems to be a problem, I've had the game on for over 24 hours at a time.  The monitor is a 15" monitor still in it's case FWIW.....

Good Luck.

[WaRpEd]

quarterback I did something similar to your speaker and fan combo idea but end up with a lot of speaker noises from the fan itself.
Might be the fan I used or maybe the magnetic filed from the fan motor.
Cheers