Building a TV Stand

[slow06]

I’m planning on building a TV stand for my apartment. I’ve got the basic design figured out (it’s pretty generic) but I want to add fans built into the back of the unit to help cool the dvd player ect. I’m thinking of just mounting simple computer fans and wiring them up to switches in pairs so I can turn on each partition separately. They will be mounted so they are easy to remove in case one needs to be replaced.

Has anybody ever done this or seen it done before? Any tips or ideas on the fan install or wiring part? I know it’s probably overkill and/or unnecessary, i'm thinking of it like a concept car: I just want to do it to see if I can and learn a few things in the process.

Here is my preliminary design, the red lined areas being the location of the fans:

[homealone]

Assuming the front is open, as long as you have air space around the components I am not sure fans would be needed. If you are worried about heat build, leave a slot at the top rear of the compartment to allow for natural convection.

If you choose to use the fans, move them as high as you can so you are extracting the hottest air.

Another thing to remember is that computer fans are low voltage. Generally 12-18v DC so you will need a step-down transformer/converter.

[Unicorn Jeff]

Like Homealone said, the fans will be unnecessary. As long as you have a cut out in the back of each of those ports for the exhaust and cords then it will be fine. And if you keep your apt at around 75 or so you'll have no problem.

[slow06]

Assuming the front is open, as long as you have air space around the components I am not sure fans would be needed. If you are worried about heat build, leave a slot at the top rear of the compartment to allow for natural convection.

If you choose to use the fans, move them as high as you can so you are extracting the hottest air.

Another thing to remember is that computer fans are low voltage. Generally 12-18v DC so you will need a step-down transformer/converter.

Moving the fans higher - I though of that right after I posted this up. Either moving them higher along the same face, or moving them to where they blow directly up. Only problem with the last idea is that would be toward the TV.

Thanks for the transformer/step down bit, that will be interesting. I don't know anything about that type of stuff but I plan to read up on it before I mess with anything. I'm sure there are lots of fans to choose from.

Like Homealone said, the fans will be unnecessary. As long as you have a cut out in the back of each of those ports for the exhaust and cords then it will be fine. And if you keep your apt at around 75 or so you'll have no problem.

Haha 75, I would kill for 75 right now. http://www.dfwmustangs.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=15119

The fans are more for fun/learning than for cooling. Obviously that is the intent of the design, but that is what I meant by the "concept car" comment. I know it isn't necessary, we aren't heavy gamers or anything like that, it just seems like something that would be interesting to try to build. Incorporating things I don't fully understand (switches, electrical powered components) into a relatively simple and functional product is kinda the point for me, to learn about those things and build something cool.

[homealone]

When you get to the converter part, look on ebay, etc, for a AC to DC power supply like those used for laptops. Depending on your required amperage, they can be found very cheap. make sure it's a converter, not a battery charger. Battery chargers have a square sine wave and aren't motor friendly. I used a 12V 10a power supply to power the remote control system and the lift motor in my TV cabinet.

If you want to get fancy, automate it with a thermostat or thermocouple. You can keep simple by using a cheep house thermostat. They are simple to wire, pretty much power in, power out. Set it to your desired temp and forget it.

[slow06]

When you get to the converter part, look on ebay, etc, for a AC to DC power supply like those used for laptops. Depending on your required amperage, they can be found very cheap. make sure it's a converter, not a battery charger. Battery chargers have a square sine wave and aren't motor friendly. I used a 12V 10a power supply to power the remote control system and the lift motor in my TV cabinet.

If you want to get fancy, automate it with a thermostat or thermocouple. You can keep simple by using a cheep house thermostat. They are simple to wire, pretty much power in, power out. Set it to your desired temp and forget it.

The thermostat is a pretty cool idea. I'm going to work that idea over in my head a little and see how I can incorporate it. Ideally I want the bays to operate independently so I might have to use 3. Hmm

[8mpg]

Not trying to be a hater....but do you have the tools and the space at your apartment? For quality woodworking, a table saw is a must

[Tyrone Biggums]

I have a tv stand similar to this one and it only had small holes in the back for running wires.



I put my components at each end to hide them behind the frosted glass doors, but my satellite receiver was getting way too hot. I ordered this Cabcool kit from coolerguys.com and it works very well.

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556090113.html

Each enclosed area of the cabinet has it's own fan, thermal probe, and programmable digital thermostat and is all powered by one ac adapted power source. You can set the thermostats to turn on and off at any temperature you want. The fans are quiet and unless your ear is trained to listen for them when the tv isn't on, you won't notice them. When the tv is on, you can't hear them at all.

[slow06]

Not trying to be a hater....but do you have the tools and the space at your apartment? For quality woodworking, a table saw is a must

Lets just say my carpet gets really dirty. Just kidding, but I was at a woodworking store by my house and one of the guys works on a lathe turning pens and bowls in his apartment...

I have all of my tools at my parents house. The table saw is a really old (was my grandpa's) Sears Craftsman circular saw mounted upside down on a little table. I just replaced the blade on it and I am going to try to set up a crosscut sled for it before I tackle this project.

I have a tv stand similar to this one and it only had small holes in the back for running wires.



I put my components at each end to hide them behind the frosted glass doors, but my satellite receiver was getting way too hot. I ordered this Cabcool kit from coolerguys.com and it works very well.

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556090113.html

Each enclosed area of the cabinet has it's own fan, thermal probe, and programmable digital thermostat and is all powered by one ac adapted power source. You can set the thermostats to turn on and off at any temperature you want. The fans are quiet and unless your ear is trained to listen for them when the tv isn't on, you won't notice them. When the tv is on, you can't hear them at all.

That kit is awesome, I knew there had to be something like that around. I want to build a home built version of that. I am thinking I could probably get most of that stuff at Fry's and maybe a little cheaper. It may be worth the money for a drop in solution if I can't figure out how to do it myself though, and that looks like a quality product. There is a video with those fans in it and they are really quiet. If nothing else I will probably buy that thermal probe, I think I could hide that a lot easier than a home thermostat.

[Tyrone Biggums]

That kit is awesome, I knew there had to be something like that around. I want to build a home built version of that. I am thinking I could probably get most of that stuff at Fry's and maybe a little cheaper. It may be worth the money for a drop in solution if I can't figure out how to do it myself though, and that looks like a quality product. There is a video with those fans in it and they are really quiet. If nothing else I will probably buy that thermal probe, I think I could hide that a lot easier than a home thermostat.

If you do go with the coolerguys kit, note that the programmable digital thermostats are sold as an upgrade. The ones that come in the kit are pre-set. The digital ones are awesome. I have them mounted towards the back of each compartment, at the top of the box. Since the glass is frosted, I get a cool blue back light in the cabinet.

[slow06]

If you do go with the coolerguys kit, note that the programmable digital thermostats are sold as an upgrade. The ones that come in the kit are pre-set. The digital ones are awesome. I have them mounted towards the back of each compartment, at the top of the box. Since the glass is frosted, I get a cool blue back light in the cabinet.

I noticed that extra $30 for the programmable one. If I don't get it to start with I thinking I can always upgrade later.

Did you use the fan guard and the mesh guard? i wasn't planning on using anything like that, I'm curious how necessary it is.

Edit: I keep going back and looking at that kit. Now I am imagining the thermostat mounted in the top of the table near the back, or right below that center cavity where the center line is in my drawing. Ive got so many ideas right now, this kit helps me imagine how it can all work. I'm liking this.

[Tyrone Biggums]

I noticed that extra $30 for the programmable one. If I don't get it to start with I thinking I can always upgrade later.

Did you use the fan guard and the mesh guard? i wasn't planning on using anything like that, I'm curious how necessary it is.

Edit: I keep going back and looking at that kit. Now I am imagining the thermostat mounted in the top of the table near the back, or right below that center cavity where the center line is in my drawing. Ive got so many ideas right now, this kit helps me imagine how it can all work. I'm liking this.

I used both guards. They make the fans look clean and streamlined like they came with the cabinet opposed to looking like two computer fans slapped in a hole. If you want, I'll try and snap some pics tonight.

[slow06]

I used both guards. They make the fans look clean and streamlined like they came with the cabinet opposed to looking like two computer fans slapped in a hole. If you want, I'll try and snap some pics tonight.

I was thinking since I don't have kids I wouldn't need them but I bet you are right, it would look pretty crappy otherwise. Yeah if pictures of your setup would be cool.

[Tyrone Biggums]

My pics turned out like crap. Regardless, I think you'll be pretty happy if you go with the kit.

[slow06]

My pics turned out like crap. Regardless, I think you'll be pretty happy if you go with the kit.

Thanks for trying. I have seen enough on their website to think I will be very happy if/when I order from them.

It will be a couple of months before I start building this because I won't have a drill and pocket hole jig till my birthday in September. When the time comes I am going to try to take pictures along the way.