this hardly belongs in any forum, but I figured here was best... I have Hondata 3BD... I was going to mount a CPU fan inside the case of the ECU to get some cooling going on in there. can anyone suggest why this may be good or bad?? I figure cooler temps are better for electronics and longevity? yes or no? thanks for any intelligent replies!

 

Honestly, the ECU's really don't get hot enough to need a fan. I think a fan would be overkill.

 

DSM ECUs die from heat but I've never heard of Honda ECUs having a problem. I remember reading about DSM guys doing this when my DSM ECU went out around 5 years ago, but that was just because at the time those ECUs were going for ~$500.

 

as sayd above, im not sure how hot the ecu gets, but yeah maybe 2 small ones; a pusher and a puller.

just .02

 

its not needed

 

fans for heat arent required, and may let in dust/debris. Ive never heard of a honda ecu boiling itself, its not like a pentium motherboard or anything.

 

It's usually a probelm with the capictors, from what I remember even when you buy capicitors at a a place like digikey they are only rated at around 10 years, I dont know exactly what happens but for some reason the insides leak out

 

well, a home computer has fans that allow dirt and stuff to get in and it doesn't seem to bother the computer. it's not like there are any moving parts inside there that might get clogged hehe I guess it's more trouble than it's worth then?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bbarbulo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well, a home computer has fans that allow dirt and stuff to get in and it doesn't seem to bother the computer. it's not like there are any moving parts inside there that might get clogged hehe I guess it's more trouble than it's worth then?</TD></TR></TABLE>

yes but your home computer doesnt get near the elements (little bits of metal, dirt, mud, WATER)

Just surface dust isnt going to hurt it, but still. Not worth it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by notstock93 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

yes but your home computer doesnt get near the elements (little bits of metal, dirt, mud, WATER)

Just surface dust isnt going to hurt it, but still. Not worth it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ha, I've flooded my chipped p28 before and it lived after airing out.

I'm sure you can tell from the messages above that unless you are having some problem where you're burning up ECUs left and right it's really not worth the trouble.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bbarbulo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">it doesn't seem to bother the computer</TD></TR></TABLE>

Dust is an insulator, and it keeps the chips warm. That's probably a bad thing. Everyone clean your computers!

Considering the ecu runs at a blazing 1Mhz, I really consider it to be unneccisary. Even considering the capacitors, you're only dealing with 12v, and there have been very few ecu failures due to age in Hondas. I would estimate less than 20 in the history of Honda, they're just that good. It's a sealed box, nothing moves, and if you open a 20 year old ecu, it looks brand new.

If you need to overengineer something, I would apply your efforts elsewhere.

 

points well taken I shall just paint it all pretty and put it back behind the kick panel like a good lil boy. thanks all for your input

how about some case lighting from a home computer in the ECU?? like some cold cathode tubes?? and some LEDs lol I'm just kidding

 

power regulating transistors do get pretty hot in the ECU, but that is why they are attached to the aluminium case, for heat dissipation.
as many said a cooling fan is not necessary.
stan

 

That stuff is funny, it's like rice for your PC.

They should make spinner CPU fans...