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Forums » Wireless/Mobile Connectivity » Sprint Mobile Broadband » Cellular amp running hot? Try a 120mm computer fan!
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My saga: Thank you Jim_in_VA & Broadband DSL Reports! »
Sprint_MBB

join:2002-06-25
Tallahassee, FL
·Sprint Mobile Broa..


1 edit

Cellular amp running hot? Try a 120mm computer fan!

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I searched & did not see a related post about doing this here.

I am in a fringe area and use a Cell Mate 2000 3W amp for Sprint MBB. I noticed the other day the amp runs really hot to the touch. I had just done an upgrade for my computer case and had a spare 120mm fan. It is a "quiet" fan- very low RPM and doesn't move a ton of air. I drilled 4 holes in the amp's mounting flange and used some zip ties to secure the fan. I used a power converter to convert AC to the DC fan 4 pin plug. These fans are also available in AC power as far as I know.

The end result is the amp is no longer hot- only slightly warm to the touch.

I've attached a couple of pics to show what was done.

Jim_in_VA

join:2004-07-11
Cobbs Creek, VA

Re: Cellular amp running hot? Try a 120mm computer fan!

I love "MacGyver" gadgets - well done
Jack_in_VA
Premium
join:2007-11-26
Mathews, VA

Re: Cellular amp running hot? Try a 120mm computer fan!

said by Jim_in_VA See Profile :

I love "MacGyver" gadgets - well done
I thought when I saw the picture that you would probably get a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Amazing what a cheap little box fan can do. Heat in electronic components seems always to be a problem. We had electronics in enclosures in areas that reached 135 degrees so you can imagine what temperatures the electronics inside were running at.
Sprint_MBB

join:2002-06-25
Tallahassee, FL

Re: Cellular amp running hot? Try a 120mm computer fan!

I got a similar feeling after I realized the fan was running when I took the picture. The lettering was even right side up.

Thanks Jim!

Jim_in_VA

join:2004-07-11
Cobbs Creek, VA

Re: Cellular amp running hot? Try a 120mm computer fan!

I'm curious MBB - how do you have the power supply setup, got a pic of that?
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Sprint_MBB

join:2002-06-25
Tallahassee, FL
·Sprint Mobile Broa..

Re: Cellular amp running hot? Try a 120mm computer fan!

I don't have a pic, but I bought everything from a place called »www.coolerguys.com/

The power converter is called a CS 110v AC to 12v DC
Item # 840556029977
Description: Power Supply with 4 Pin Molex Adapter

It was $14.95 a couple years ago. Just looked it up on their website & same price still. It has two Molex outlets, so it can power 2 fans.

If you search for "120mm AC fan" on their site, you'll see a selection of fans powered by AC so you can skip the adapter. Be sure to add the cord to the fan- they have a couple length options.
Max Signal
Premium
join:2008-03-07
Buffalo, NY
That's the beauty of Cyfre amplifiers. They use software driven amplification and are totally cool to the touch unlike all the other amplifiers that are hardware driven out there, just ask Jim_in_VA.
--
www.MaximumSignal.Net

Jim_in_VA

join:2004-07-11
Cobbs Creek, VA

Re: Cellular amp running hot? Try a 120mm computer fan!

absolutely true Max - the Cyfre never gets hot at all
--
... need help? »evdo-tips.com/

caribconsult
Premium
join:2003-03-19
Mayaguez, PR
·HughesNet Satellit..
·Millenicom
·Sprint Mobile Broa..

I wonder if you realize just how much you have extended the lifespan of your amp?

Heat is the enemy of electronics. Things expand when hot, and contract when cooled down, including all the gizmos in the amp. After a while one of them just fractures, like bending a coathanger wire back and forth till it breaks. In the case of the coathanger, the correct term is metal fatigue, but similar actions occur in any electronic device, so reducing the heat is like a shot in the arm for your amp.
--
Sierra 598U/Cradlepoint CTR500, grid antenna, Millenicom, 4 XPPro and 1 Ubuntu units, FireFox everywhere.
Sprint_MBB

join:2002-06-25
Tallahassee, FL
·Sprint Mobile Broa..


1 edit

Re: Cellular amp running hot? Try a 120mm computer fan!

It should last indefinitely now that I am using a Cyfre amp!

I really couldn't complain about the Cellmate, it never caused me any problem. The Cyfre runs much cooler- it is barely warm to the touch.

EDIT
I for some reason haven't gotten the hang of having my signature display here even though the box is checked- I'm no longer using this amp. I now have a Cyfre CA-819 with a parabolic grid antenna (Jim_in_VA's setup- works great!) and LMR-400 cable with surge suppression inline.
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