Author Topic: what fans for arcade cabinet? (Read 8823 times)

lee123 · « **on:** May 24, 2006, 03:32:08 pm »

Hi,

I have just started my first arcade cabinet. I have done quite a bit of research and I am am progressing nicely.

the only subject I am not sure about is fans to cool the inside of the cabinet. I am using a PC tower and a CRT monitor inside the cabinet.

Are fans neccessary or should I just have a vent and should the vent be at the top or bottom?

If a fan is neccessary is it there to blow cold air in or warm air out?

Finnaly, if a fan should be used do you have any recommendations of which to use and where to get them? - I live in the UK.

thanks Lee

ahofle · « **Reply #1 on:** May 24, 2006, 04:59:23 pm »

It's one of those hard to answer questions. It really depends on how hot it's going to get in your cabinet. I have a UAII cabinet which has openings in the back (overheating has never been a problem for me) so I haven't needed a fan. But if you decide you do need one, you want the fan up high blowing the warm air out, and a vent on the bottom typically. At least that's what I've read around here.

Havok · « **Reply #2 on:** May 24, 2006, 05:38:16 pm »

The only fans I have are on my power supply and CPU - they are mounted directly to the inside of the cabinet. Overheating has never been a problem for me. I would suggest running without fans and monitor the cpu temperature - you can do this in the BIOS, or some manufacturers give you a program to run in the O/S...

Circo · « **Reply #3 on:** May 24, 2006, 09:18:27 pm »

The only time that I have had problems with heat is interestingly enough the speakers. My cab has a 10" ligitech sub in it, and when playing music at high levels it will cut out. So I need to add a fan to keep the amp in the sub cool. As far as the computer or monitor... never had a problem with that.

somunny · « **Reply #4 on:** May 25, 2006, 01:31:30 pm »

I also have a UAII that I installed two 120mm 12V fans in. They're pretty noisy though, so I never really use them. I think as long as you have some type of exhaust port towards the top of the cabinet for the warmer air to escape through, you shouldn't have any problems.

Steve

Level42 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 25, 2006, 01:36:22 pm »

Normaly, a cab is using the "chimney efect" to cool everything. So there's an entry hole in the lower part of the cab, and an exit hole near the top. Hot air wants to go up, so the air will move up and leave the cabinet through the upper hole. This automaticaly makes sure that cool air is being sucked in through the lower hole. However, there are some things to think off:

If your are running a PC INSIDE it's PC-case IN the cab, there could be heat problems. It's like putting your PC in a cupboard. Run some temperature monitoring software to check the CPU and other temps.

I use my MOBO and other stuff "in the open" inside my cab. This helps cooling of course.

If you still feel that it's neccesary to use a fan: bigger is better. Try to get a really big one. The bigger it is, the slower it can run, the less noise it will make. Papst is about the best brand around.

Stingray · « **Reply #6 on:** May 25, 2006, 01:37:49 pm »

I just leave the back door off.

-S

PCtech · « **Reply #7 on:** May 25, 2006, 03:46:40 pm »

Quote from: Stingray on May 25, 2006, 01:37:49 pm

I just leave the back door off.

-S

I agree with -S on that one...as long as it's near a wall (not flush), nobody will notice if the back door is off. First time I heard that, I thought the guy was crazy....till I heard it a bazillion more times.

Although I didn't leave the back door off, I did have small (palm sized) vents in the back at the top and bottom...and had no heat issues.

From my experience, a computer and monitor, doesn't generate that much heat, to be a concern with a standard cabinet....but if concerned, stick a cheap thermometer on the inside, and check occasionally, then compare to the specs on what your PC & monitor can handle...but I doubt you would have much problem either way.

If you were going with a cocktail or bartop unit, that might be different.

deadkenndys1105 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 25, 2006, 03:53:50 pm »

I have a normal pc with the case but I have the left panel off. When I was planning my cabinet I planned it to be by a wall so I didnt even make a back panel and it make the cabinet a lot lighter because I dont use wheels on mine.

Level42 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 25, 2006, 04:20:38 pm »

Running your cab open is only acceptible if you're using a PC inside it's case, and especialy a CASED monitor. If you got an open (arcade) CRT monitor I would strongly suggest NOT to leave the cab open.

If I take my back panel off, the mains is cut off by the safety switch, LIKE IT SHOULD !!!
I bought an original arcade JAMMA cab, and this has the mains "safety switch" still in place and working.

If you're running an open CRT inside your cab, leaving the panel off makes the 25.000 Volts to be in direct reach of touch. Nasty, but really dangerous are the couple of hundred volts to be found everywhere on the chassis of the monitor.

Of couse you will never touch this. That's the same reason why you're not wearing seatbelts, you're not ever going to get into an accident right ?

I'd never suggest this. It is very unsafe, even if you "can't reach" inside. I've got a 4 year old kid running around, even playing the cab sometimes, wouldn't want him "exploring" the inside of my cab !

deadkenndys1105 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 25, 2006, 04:40:45 pm »

Well I have a LCD in mine and im the only one that is aloud in the back. I dont have kids ether as im am only 16.

Stingray · « **Reply #11 on:** May 25, 2006, 04:49:15 pm »

You tell me how anyone is going to be able to get their hands in there, Sparky.

-S

Level42 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 25, 2006, 04:52:04 pm »

LCD ?

I thought we were talking ARCADE cabs here ?

Sorry, I'm 38 and in my view retro arcade gaming should be done on a CRT. I pray CRT's will be built for as long as I live.....

But as long as you leave the casing around the LCD, you'll be fine.

Level42 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 25, 2006, 04:57:15 pm »

Quote from: Stingray on May 25, 2006, 04:49:15 pm

You tell me how anyone is going to be able to get their hands in there, Sparky.

-S

Hah, OK, point taken

deadkenndys1105 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 25, 2006, 05:18:57 pm »

I would rather have a CRT in mine but I had a spare LCD and it was rotable without any mods to it. Its cased to but LCDs are very diffrent than CRTs. In the other cabinets im planning im going to be using decased CRTs. I like the shut off door idea tho. I am a classic gamer and classic consol colector. I wish I was around during the aracde golden era because games then were about gameplay not graphics. My sega gensis get more gameplay than my ps2 to this date and im repairing an atari 7800.

Level42 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 25, 2006, 07:05:17 pm »

Hey, respect !!!

16 years and SO wise already

Quote

I wish I was around during the aracde golden era because games then were about gameplay not graphics.

You are absolutely right ! Younger people coming to my place are re-discovering this all the time on my cab

!

mark shaker · « **Reply #16 on:** May 25, 2006, 08:13:43 pm »

Quote from: Stingray on May 25, 2006, 01:37:49 pm

I just leave the back door off.

-S

Assuming you don't have a cat. Monitors can be deadly.

I had a cabinet in which my CPU would overheat and lock-up. I solved it with a 120mm 120v muffin fan. But it is very noisy, I recommend paying close attention to the fans DB rating.

My fan is mounted to draw in cold air at the bottom. It's so powerful that several people have commented on the crotch cooling effect as the air blows out the keyboard drawer opening.

- Mark

JonnyBoy · « **Reply #17 on:** May 25, 2006, 08:17:21 pm »

My project is basically a computer built inside of the control panel, I have 3 fans in that thing. It's actually quieter than my home computer. My temperatures linger around 70-80 F.

deadkenndys1105 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 25, 2006, 09:56:51 pm »

Quote from: Level42 on May 25, 2006, 07:05:17 pm

Hey, respect !!!

16 years and SO wise already

Quote
I wish I was around during the aracde golden era because games then were about gameplay not graphics.
You are absolutely right ! Younger people coming to my place are re-discovering this all the time on my cab !

Can you beleave I do bad in school? Honestly I have been told by profestionals in my job path to drop out and go to a useful school. Im going into game graphics and game programing so in high school im just sitting there to get a peace of meaningless paper. My favorite thing about my cabinet is that it show that games today just are not as good to people that are fan of these new "graphics games." I have gotten offers for me to build cabinets for people and I would have know problem doing them but most people dont relize the work you have to do with them and the price of doing things right. My cabinet is a one player cabinet with street fighter style controls with an i-pac.

Back on topic: a vortex fan system would be a good idea. A vortex is just a name of 2 fans than make a tornado efect. A lot of people that do PC mods with over clocked stuff use them because they keep air moving. Just remeber you cabinets are just a super large case mod.

JonnyBoy · « **Reply #19 on:** May 25, 2006, 10:04:48 pm »

Nice to see another "kid" in the hobby, I'm 17, and also a fan of the Dead Kennedys (Fresh Fruit for the Rotting Vegetable = badass)

deadkenndys1105 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 25, 2006, 10:11:58 pm »

I saw them live with there new singer last decmber. Great show to.

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #21 on:** May 25, 2006, 10:50:32 pm »

Quote from: deadkenndys1105 on May 25, 2006, 10:11:58 pm

I saw them live with there new singer last decmber. Great show to.

I am definitely getting old ... last time I saw the Kennedys was a couple of decades ago. I'm going to see The Cult tommorrow and haven't seen them live in about 20 years as well. Wow ...

Cheers.

JonnyBoy · « **Reply #22 on:** May 25, 2006, 10:52:57 pm »

Oh man, the Cult are still touring? Is Sorum still on drums or is he faithful to Velvet Revolver?

zenmasterbooty · « **Reply #23 on:** May 26, 2006, 12:03:16 am »

I don't use fans. I made the back and half the of the top out of perforated hardboard. Never had had a problem.

Capthowdy · « **Reply #24 on:** May 26, 2006, 02:18:33 am »

Quote from: mark shaker on May 25, 2006, 08:13:43 pm

My fan is mounted to draw in cold air at the bottom. It's so powerful that several people have commented on the crotch cooling effect as the air blows out the keyboard drawer opening.

- Mark

hmm...my girlfriend and I recently broke up...so I will seriously give this one some consideration. thanks, mark!

Stingray · « **Reply #25 on:** May 26, 2006, 04:51:17 pm »

Quote from: mark shaker on May 25, 2006, 08:13:43 pm

Quote from: Stingray on May 25, 2006, 01:37:49 pm
I just leave the back door off.

-S

Assuming you don't have a cat. Monitors can be deadly.

Again, I refer to the picture I posted of where it's located. I do appreciate all of you guys filling me in on this newsflash about monitors being deadly.

-S

Quarterhorse · « **Reply #26 on:** May 26, 2006, 05:02:21 pm »

Didn't Mama Cass die from an arcade monitor?

WaRpEd · « **Reply #27 on:** May 26, 2006, 09:03:50 pm »

Quarter horse
It was a ham sandwich.


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