well i got an idea, and i got bored.............

this is a 92-95 civiv hatch, although im sure you can use my intructions on other apps.

ok anyways this is for some people who take long trips while listening to music, people with a badass headunit/system, or normal joes who are bored (me).

this is how to put a computer cooling fan under your headunit in a really coooool way.

Tools/materials:

1. a fan from an old comp, or get a new one (theyre only like $10)
2. dremel
3. drill
4. soldering iron or crimps
5. electric tape
6. boredom
7. time
8. a switch ($2-$5) <-- optional

1.take out the ash tray and cut off the metal reatainer. then dremel away the plastic that held the retainer in place.


2. drill a bunch of holes underneath for it to get air.


finished here but on a side note these holes were not enough. had i been able to find my cutting attachment for the dremel i would have just cut a gaint square to let nrestricated air get into it.


3. cut a hole for your switch if you're using one. i decided to go with it because i wanted to be able to turn it on and off just in case. you should know how to wire it to a switch.


tada!


4. zip tie the fan into the ashtray



5. bring the whole assembly into your car. note the holes on the metal plate, again if i had my cutting attachment, i would have cut a giant whole for free flowing.


6. splice the postive wire from the fan to the yellow wire (from tthe clip/harness that powers your cig lighter) and the negative into the black wire.


7. screw it back into place


8. check if your fan is still there.


9. check if it works


10. clean up your damn mess


11. go take a shower (its too hot outside not to sweat like a pig)


yeah im bored...


my first tech related contribution

 

Good contribution. I've had a couple of higher end headunits (including my current indash DVD player) and have problems with amps overheating, but never my headunit.

I'd also suggest if you do plan to do this, go ahead and wire the fan to a switched power source (possibly the same switched power that your headunit runs off of) instead of a switch. I can pretty much guarantee that at least one time you'll forget (unless the fan is loud as a bitch) and you'll come out to a dead car.

 

LOL, That's a GREAT idea!! Creative
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ricey McRicerton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'd also suggest if you do plan to do this, go ahead and wire the fan to a switched power source (possibly the same switched power that your headunit runs off of) instead of a switch. I</TD></TR></TABLE>
This makes a hell of a lot of sense as well.

 

I don't know why, but this pic makes me laugh:

 

cool

 

the fan doesnt stay on if your car is shut down

 

Pretty genius idea to help cool the deck , definite kudos from me

 

Does the headunit really need cooling?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by litterbox &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't know why, but this pic makes me laugh:
</TD></TR></TABLE>


HAHAHA it makes me laugh too!

i thought decks were made to withstand all the heat of basking in the sun, and heavy usage, but great diy none the less

 

My Sony seems to start skipping more often after it gets hot. I'll definately be on the lookout for a used fan now The only problem is, where will I keep my coins?

 

i couldnt find anytihn to cut it with so i used my switchblade. it really didnt matter cus the button would be covering it anyways.

 

Too bad I smoke and need my ashtray.

&lt;---- Bad bad bad moderator!

 

Good stuff man!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Deemeetree &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Too bad I smoke and need my ashtray.

&lt;---- Bad bad bad moderator! </TD></TR></TABLE>Come on Dimi, just roll down your window to blow ashes out there.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by litterbox &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Come on Dimi, just roll down your window to blow ashes out there.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Smoking + 100* = sweaty *****. I need the A/C while I smoke.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sturmcrow &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My Sony seems to start skipping more often after it gets hot. I'll definately be on the lookout for a used fan now The only problem is, where will I keep my coins?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think the obvious answer is there's something wrong with your Sony deck I mean, Sony decks aren't known for their reliability.

Thanks for sharing your creative "mod" but like someone else mentioned, I have yet to hear of a deck overheating, even under extended use in hot summer weather. That fan would be put to better use in an amp rack.

 

i guess, but i dont have an amp, lo.

besides im in TEXAS!

 

Wow, thats like so....i dont know. Hehe.

But sir, 100 points to you for pioneering this on your car. Its this kind of ingenuity that starts up new stuff. Ya already got me thinkin of ways to do this on my EK and other ways of building. Thanks for making this DIY, and I hope it helps many more. Now excuse me, I'm going to go get a screwdriver and a dremel and I'll be back in a few hours....

 

Bwahahaha I read teh whole writeup again, funny stuff.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Deemeetree &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Smoking + 100* = sweaty *****. I need the A/C while I smoke. </TD></TR></TABLE>Smoking + 100* + NO AC = me

It blows.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SpoonEK2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Does the headunit really need cooling? </TD></TR></TABLE>

I had a clarion unit that overheated constantly! Good write up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Deemeetree &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Too bad I smoke and need my ashtray.

&lt;---- Bad bad bad moderator! </TD></TR></TABLE>
Litter the countrside with cig butts lik I do...

 

Good idea. I've noticed that my cd player doesn't read as well whenever it gets really hot. Now to try it on a teg.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sturmcrow &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My Sony seems to start skipping more often after it gets hot. I'll definately be on the lookout for a used fan now The only problem is, where will I keep my coins?</TD></TR></TABLE>

there's your problem...
don't buy sony lol

 

haha nice touch. very creative

 

i would prob just cut out the bottom, and then got some screen stuff from home depot, would prob flow a lot more cfm.., or is you wanna be really creative.. take some dryer vents and run one from the upper ac vent, cut a 3x3 hole, and then run the vent to the fan, to the radio underbody, cooling the cd player wether you have ac on or off