[Shop-talk] flat screen heat

[Peter Murray]

John-

Cooler is indeed better. Component MBTF drops remarkably fast as
average temperatures rise - a 10 degree C increase can reduce the
expected lifespan of electronics by well more than half. Temperature
consistency is also good (though for different reasons). You should be
able to provide some cooling without voiding any warranty, just
providing some added push to the existing convective currents the unit
already leverages. Power for a fan could be provided by USB outlets on
the TV, if you have any. I have done something similar to provide
in-cabinet ventilation for my PS3...

I was surprised to find that the 52" plasma a friend had just
purchased consumed over 600W. I haven't yet calculated how much my 46"
LCD panel consumes.

If you don't have a Kill-A-Watt in your toolbox, you might want to
invest in one (they're relatively inexpensive, under US$25). I am
installing a TED[*] at my house next weekend for similar reasons -
What they show you can be quite revealing!

[*] TED=The Energy Detective - http://www.theenergydetective.com

-Peter

--
Peter Murray (N3IXY)
Oak Hill, VA


On Tue, Jun 15, 2010 at 9:37 PM, Bob Spidell <bspidell at comcast.net> wrote:
> I'll bet you're asking because you already decided to do this and you want
> some reinforcement ;)
>
> Anyway, cooling electronics is always a good idea for their longevity.
>  Whether it's worth the trouble or not is debatable; however, and there's
> always the chance you'll break something doing this (it'll almost certainly
> void whatever warranty you have left).    The fans will probably wear out
> and get noisy before the TV bites the dust.
>
> bs
>
>
> John Niolon wrote:
>>
>> I walked up close to my 54" flat screen last night and could feel the heat
>> coming from the screen...  was suprised at how warm the screen was when I
>> touched it...  now that I realize what a little oven I've got there I'm
>> wondering if adding a couple of whisper quiet muffin fans to the lower
>> vents
>> on the back might accomplish.. it would at least move a little air through
>> the
>> case...
>>
>> anyone with any knowledge on flat screen lcds care to venture an
>> hypothesis
>>
>> thanks
>> John
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> I've learned in life that my primary goal
>>  is to serve as a bad example
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> *******************************************************************
> Bob Spidell           San Jose, CA            bspidell at comcast.net
>
> *******************************************************************
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