Network Rack Cooling Upgrade

We've been having some quite warm weather recently, and the temperature of both my office and network rack has been pretty toasty. After the cooling upgrades installed during Part 7 of the networking series, I'm now able to close my network cabinet door, but I wanted to add a little extra cooling capacity for those very hot days. I decided to install a 1U temperature controlled fan unit to work alongside the additional cooling when extra airflow is needed.
A big shoutout to Kieron for contacting me and giving me a nice deal on this piece of kit.
Thanks for watching! I hope you all enjoy...
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[@andydavies27]

5:40 Nobody wants a “messy bottom end” Tom! 😂 nice video, nice tweak to improve an already great setup 👍🏻

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

.....why do I choose these words!?!? haha!

[@KylesVideos]

I think this is the fastest I've ever gotten to an IMNC video!

[@martynjones6922]

Thought the same

[@Time4Technology]

Thing starts screeching and beeping loudly. Tom: "Lovely!"

[@joshuasprucie8933]

*Tom's rack burning down and fan beeping* Tom "Lovely!"

[@itsmesb4399]

The first new IMNC video I have watched on my new Mac Pro 5,1! What a great one to be the first as well! Great vid Tom!

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Nice one!

[@wiebowesterhof]

It may be possible to remove the huge lettering, or cover it up with black insulation tape (if you don't like the look, you can always remove the tape), or possibly it could come off with acetone depending on the material used to print. I think that super loud alarm going off is when it exceeds max temperature range at the top-end. But I would want to know if my network gear overheated that badly (50C+) to take shutting down action as a last, last resort. Nice setup :)

[@ConstantijnKool]

Thank you Tom for the video broke my foot so your videos are keeping me occupied while giving my foot rest

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Get well soon my friend!

[@ConstantijnKool]

ItsMyNaturalColour thank you Tom for everything you have been doing!

[@scottshipley]

Just a thought but wouldn't it be better to have the fan unit at the very top of the rack with more holes cut in the top of the cabinet so that the fans can actually push the hot air out of the top rather than just circulating the hot air around inside the cabinet?

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Hi Scott. I have a 120mm intake fan at the bottom of the rack, and another 120mm exhaust fan at the top, so there's a constant flow of air through the rack. I also have an third 120mm at the back in the same horizontal orientation, facilitating the airflow. That 3 fan system is powered 24/7. I added this new unit as a backup for very hot days, so it'll only kick in when the temporature in the rack exceeds 30 degrees. This will then further facilitate the existing cooling system, to bring the temps back down / provide additional cooling when absolutely necessary. Mounting at the top would've probably been fantastic, but there's no space. I mounted it where I had space, and was careful to make room above and below the unit as you can see. The increased flow of air through the cabinet is excellent.

[@jamiechampion299]

Quick question: have you still been folding? What machines are you folding on?

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Hey Jamie, still got my Mac mini chugging away. It's not the fastest thing in the world but it's doing it's bit.

[@jamiechampion299]

@@ItsMyNaturalColour Awesome, same here. My Mac mini is a late 2009 running Sierra, and it has been folding 24/7 since you created Team-IMNC.

[@guillaumepincon7125]

Hello tanks for your very great video, i would like to know what’s the name/model of this cooler fan ?

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

No problem, it's a "dap audio 1u fan unit with thermostat" - Google that and you'll find a few different sites selling the product. Also look on eBay, there are similar units available for a cheaper price than this unit.

[@guillaumepincon7125]

ItsMyNaturalColour thanks for your answer , Nice Chanel have nice day bye

[@adammatthiesen6203]

I think you should take the bottom half the rack blanking plates as well as the face of some of your equipment and repaint them white.... Shouldn't be to challenging but it would fit your theme perfectly!

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

I've considered colour matching the new panels, and may well do just that in the future.

[@adammatthiesen6203]

The future is never better :P

[@joezunenet]

Nice clean wiring

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Thanks 👍

[@Mark-ct5dh]

Hi Tom from the other side of the pond! I was wondering if you could make a name plate to go over the lettering. The Name of the Rack perhaps? Just a thought 💭 Mark from Colorado USA 🇺🇸

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

I like you're thinking, I'll see what I can do :D

[@robertopizarro396]

how you set minimal temp. to shutdown fans ?

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

This unit won't kick in until the set temperature is reached. Once the temp in the rack dips below that threshold, the fans will shut off.

[@HarveyWerner-qy8yn]

Meggie Street

[@ObaidullahSSIdeis]

Bloody Lovely I am trying to copy you

[@andi]

Awww yes, just made my weekend better with this upload :D

[@MaxMacZone]

Cool video, had no idea such a thing existed.

[@jamiechampion299]

Nice to see a good IMNC video. I've been waiting to see the cooling update for the rack!

[@mrbill9646]

I came across your video and was really impressed with your rack - I am in the early stages of planning mine out. Have you ever posted what model rack you have? Or a listing of everything you have in your rack? I understand everyone's build will be different. I am just trying to get some Ideas since I am new to this. Loved the 1u cooling fan at the bottom.

[@tinazill4870]

I think if I were you I’d try to remove the writing with some IPA or Paint thinner or something....

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Agreed.

[@dominiquerichardson]

anyone know where I can buy one of these?

[@jeremymyers5503]

Dominique Richardson Amazon has a ton of them

[@kieronedwards5237]

I will have a look see if I Another Fun unit And I will let you know

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Google: Dap Audio 1U temperature controlled fan unit with thermostat They're a bit expensive though, if you search 'rackmount fan unit' on eBay, there are lots of different ones for a better price.

[@jeremymyers5503]

ItsMyNaturalColour That must be a UK only product. Tried googling it here in the states and I can find it but there all UK vendors that don’t ship over the pond.

[@AlanTalampas]

Enjoyed your video. I noticed your network cabinet has a countertop on it. Could you provide a link on where you obtained your cabinet from, please? Thanks!

[@BigRhys02]

I really appreciate this tom needed this amazing video today

[@kieronedwards5237]

Hi Tom l watched you install the fan in your rack great where you put it keep the great videos coming 😀 👍

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Thanks once again, Kieron! Very pleased with this bit of kit.

[@RockSteddie77]

Yay another video, Keep em coming! The network rack is looking awesome Tom, great new and productive addition!

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Thanks! Will do!

[@petint]

It reminds me of 90's HiFi gear, because of that writing. Like that they had to spell out everything that sounds cool like: "SOFT-TOUCH OPERATION: "A AND B""

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

You're so right...... at least on Hifi gear it's kinda cool.. haha!

[@welshtony1]

Great little upgrade. Idea for you. Get a custom made ItsMyNaturalColour sticker made up and put it over that "1U fan unit with thermostat" label ;) Removed the horrible label and gives it a bit of a personal touch at the same time/ Shouldn't be to expensive to get 1 made up just take some measurements and get in contact with a company that makes them, loads around.

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

I like this idea! I'll see what I can do.

[@welshtony1]

I thought you might like it :)

[@nike12000haha]

So if my math Is right 32c is close to 90f!! Do you not run any AC in your home I would melt it my house ever hit 90!!

[@LEECHINLEONG0705]

Nice video vlog

[@mellquist1]

Hello!! Do you have a link for your cabinet?

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Sure zpasgroup.co.uk/floor-standing-cabinets-and-open-racks/4-sjb-19-network-cabinet.html

[@shadow.banned]

Cool.

[@meow-vr3yd]

Do you keep the fan running 24/7?

[@constantinamundsen2487]

It beeps when its too qarm not when it comes on.

[@Marshallpuppy]

Cool

[@tablatronix]

Where did you get silver brush panels ? Also I love how the fan unit has a GIANT description on the front.. lol so bad.

[@Theapc06]

I need a mega one of these for my room, set at 26c if it gets hotter than that it just goes BEEEEEEEEEEP and then sounds like a mac pro 2008 with all its fans spinning at max 🤣🤣 amazing video tom, loving all the new content thsts popping out on the channel

[@CJT80]

You are so happy with your setup it’s a joy to see and hear it. Btw I have emailed you 😀

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Thanks, Chris! I'll get back to you really soon :D

[@CJT80]

@@ItsMyNaturalColour Anytime Tom, oh and some of those things you said did make me laugh :-D

[@mrmotofy]

One can make your own simple fan unit with a rack shelf and drill some holes in it for 120mm fans or whatever size. A small 120-240v to 12v power supply to power them.

[@mrmotofy]

If you want it temp controlled Amazon has a 12v temp control board with remote sensor, for under $10

[@matthewowen5574]

Hi Tom. I have a network rack in a closet in my office at home. I am having issues keeping the rack cool. Even with the closet door open all the time, it gets up to about 80 degrees during the daytime in the summer months. Do you have any tips for me on how I can keep it cool, especially since it's on the 2nd floor of my house where hot air rises? Thank you!

[@kablechrist]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but did he custom build his Network Cabinet/Rack? It is soo nice looking with the wooden surface on top!

[@darinwynder7207]

Does anyone know what brand or kind of rack that is with the glass door? I must have one

[@xinam]

The writing on that fan unit is obnoxiously large. I’d find a way to remove the writing and just have it plain black. Would look neater.

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Agreed.

[@aliasname5518]

Where is the air escaping to? Do you have slots on top of the rack?

[@neccros007]

Just use some nail polish remover to take off the lettering in the front

[@AkedaLvl999]

That NAS is triggering my OCD lol

[@home-space]

Great video again. Will be interesting to see how it all performs

[@marcw6072]

Shame there isn’t a web console with it but very good bit of kit. Love the ending !😃👍

[@jasonlee3247]

Try removing the white lettering with acetone (or nail varnish remover).

[@adriancadman916]

What is the make/ model of this unit?

[@justintemp]

Do you have a link to where I can get this?

[@Guust_Flater]

I think "E2" is an error message, maybe no air at input side? The normal function is to cool, why would it beep? Maybe an extra setting? One tempsetting for "fans on" and another (higher) setting for the alarm beep?

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Yes, could very well be. It hasn't beeped since I installed it, so I presume when I tested it with the boiling water and it got up into the 40s, it was triggering that alarm because of the high temps.

[@moorhs69]

You do realize that rack equipment have a front-to-back airflow? Blowing air up the back (or up from underneath) will do nothing. The air will never get into the equipment. You need to blow air up the front if you want it to make any difference.

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Thanks, Danie. The general idea here was to try and exhaust some of the buildup of hot air at the back. Worked a treat.

[@hardies1]

Your rack looks great Tom. That fan unit should help cool it nicely. I found the owners manual for that fan unit if you are interested in downloading it and reading it: assets.highlite.com/attachments/MANUAL/D7681_MANUAL_GB_V1.pdf

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Jeff, this is very useful. I'll now know how to properly use this thing haha! Many thanks.

[@rhysdavies8947]

For me, this equipment seems a bit of a waste of time as you’re just circulating the already warm air inside the cabinet upwards to the warm air trapped inside. You need a fan to extract the air out of the cabinet and a vent to allow air to be brought in to replace the air you extracted. This equipment is just like swirling water around in a hot bath.

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Hi Rhys Check out the beginning of my Home Network Part 7 video. I have installed a 120mm intake at the bottom of the rack, and a 120mm exhaust at the top of the rack. That's why I mention the raised desktop at the beginning of this video, that's where all the hot air exhausts. This new fan unit facilitates the rise of the air through the rack.

[@hjrce]

Very nice! But what is the made/model of the fan unit you use? Or do I have to ask for Kieron's phone number?

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Google search: Dap Audio 1U temperature controlled fan unit with thermostat Hope this helps

[@chayevans160]

Love your videos, so unique. You’re doing something right because I can sit for hours at a time watching video after video on your channel getting more interested each time. Also, I live in Bridgend so you’re not that far from me and that’s mad! Keep doing what you’re doing🙌🏻

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Chay, huge thanks for your lovely comment :) Really hope you continue to enjoy what I put out. I have some good stuff planned. Bridgend, just down the road! My grandparents live in Porthcawl, takes us around 45 minutes to drive there.

[@borisdg]

28 deg is nice. Meanwhile we have already 35+ with 65% humidity in avg. :/

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Wow.... no thanks!!!

[@jj-icejoe6642]

And what about the Noise when the Rack is cloused and the fans kick in ? Jet engine ?

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

14:35 - not too bad at all, considering.

[@paulbeesley5743]

Really enjoyed these videos and they come at the right time as I'm about to buy the UDM pro and a rack at the moment. One thing I was concerned about was the number of sockets I would need for it all. For example, your UPS and rack does it all connect to the one 13am UK plug socket ?. I was going to get a different circuit installed for mine. I don't know that much about electrics. I didn't want to overload anything. ?

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Hi Paul, really glad you're enjoying the videos! Yes, all my rack kit is running via my UPS, connected to a single 13a UK socket. Quick napkin maths on this; 13a x 240v = 3120w. You're safe to power 3120w worth of equipment from a single UK socket, shave a bit off for voltage fluctuations etc, call it 3000w. Usually a socket ring main / circuit in the UK is protected by a 32a MCB, so the entire ring is capable of a maximum of 7680w. Typically there are several sockets on this circuit, especially if your upstairs and downstairs are on the same ring. Check your consumer unit, and add up all of the other devices running in your home. Usually your kitchen will be separate, but not always. The most power hungry devices will run in the kitchen... kettles etc. For my case, I have 3x 32a socket ring mains in my home; 1 for downstairs sockets, 1 for upstairs sockets and another for 'extension', which is my kitchen and a single bedroom above. My 'upstairs' ring has tons of breathing room as it's mainly phone chargers, alarm clocks and LED lamps plugged in, that's about it. So I've got no worries about my office equipment. If you have less circuits, or you're already pulling a lot of juice with other appliances, it may be worth getting a dedicated circuit installed. It's nice to anyway for organisation and segregation... but if there's a lot of cost involved, you could probably avoid it. Also, you'll be surprised at how little power network equipment and small servers draw. My rack tickles over at way under 1000w even at what I would consider 'load'.

[@paulbeesley5743]

@@ItsMyNaturalColour That's just the information I needed in Layman's terms, thank you so much for the response I really appreciate it 😀😀. our setups are very similar upstairs and downstairs 32a rings and the kitchen has its own, it was only put in last year. My office runs three PCs/ Printer/CCTV system and the small amount of network equipment. The other bedrooms like you say alarm clocks, TVs etc. I had worked out in my mind a new circuit just for that would involve pulling up so many floorboards and carpet not to mention moving everything already there. I will work it out the math this weekend and go ahead and get the kit ordered. I should have more than enough capacity. Thank you again. 😀😀

[@clumsyzombie4932]

I would like to know what is the full 1 U whisker cable runners?

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Sure Google search the following: 712477 Intellinet 19IN CABLE ENTRY PANEL Hope this helps

[@wakkedoff]

I was actually looking in one of these devices. Seeing it in action made my decision so much easier. Thanks for the video/demo and setup.

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Glad I could help!

[@CodeLeeCarter]

I'd personally placed it at the top, as it'll expel the heat much better, with the vents clear of obstruction allowing drawing in cooler air through the bottom cabinet vents,... personally!

[@GeoffBeggs]

I wondered about that too.

[@CodeLeeCarter]

@@GeoffBeggs Yeah, i have placed my 2u AC Infinity unit at the bottom and AC Infinity 3 fan tray at the top,... I think it'll help if he had a intake at the bottom and place the try at the top,.. imho!

[@radialblur]

Hi Tom, 2 videos ago I commented I have a G4 you can have for the project, I don't know if you saw the message but trying again, no worries if you don't want it, just thought I'd try one more time.

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Really sorry I haven't got back to you on your previous 2 comments. Could you drop me an email at [e-mail] if possible? Many thanks!

[@radialblur]

@@ItsMyNaturalColour no worries bud, will do.

[@aemilne1970]

Lovely video, has it brought the drive temps in your Synology down at all?

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Thanks very much! Since installing it, we've had rainy and cloudy weather, so I haven't been able to test it out properly as the room isn't hot enough for the device to kick in. When the warmer weather comes back and it kicks into action every now and then, I'll be sure to monitor the temps and I'll update my findings during the next network rack related video.

[@KieronWray]

what happened to the beep? I didnt hear it the last 2 times the fan kicked in. great vid tho and that rack is coming along really well.. keep them coming!

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

I need to read the manual, but I believe the beeping was an alarm due to the very high temps reached thanks to the boiling water. With normal fluctuation in temps and when the device is triggered to start, it doesn't beep, just switches on and off quietly... which I'm quite glad about.

[@stickleprojects]

Quite scarey that there might be a situation that causes that beep! Nuclear failure, hears beep, feels reassured :)

[@nameischarles]

This video was a bit short Tom nonetheless great video haha

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

hahaha my apologies ;) I'll try and make the next one longer :D

[@giornikitop5373]

nice one but these fans are designed to be placed in the top of the rack. it's goal is to move the air, not cool it. putting it just below a shelf, it cannot move the air as it supposed to, if at all. you should place it as close to the top as possible with as few obstacles in the air path as possible to have the best circulation. no judging, just a recommendation.

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Really appreciate the recommendation and feedback. As you can see, I don't have much of a choice when it comes to mounting positions as my rack is getting very full. I already have a 120mm exhaust at the top, and a 120mm intake at the bottom, so like I say in the video this unit is in place to purely facilitate the existing cooling system as and when it's needed. It does move a surprising amount of air considering it's position, and with the shelf above being vented, it really helps.

[@CharlieEdward25]

Is this all this channel is now network racks lol sorry bro not for me anymore good luck

[@ItsMyNaturalColour]

Hey Charlie. Sorry these videos aren't you're thing. As you know, I've always taken pride in the fact that IMNC is a variety technology channel, and the channel grows and evolves to reflect my own personal interests. The last 3 videos uploaded have not been network related at all, so it's worth having a quick browse of the channel just in case you've missed an episode. I also have lots more coming up from a variety of different topics.

[@MicahGallant]

Thats unfair, Tom isnt rich to buy things all the time for youtube. He is doing vids on what he has at the moment.

[@CharlieEdward25]

@@ItsMyNaturalColour yea man i get ya nothing against you just everytime i seen it pop been about racks i miss the older stuff but keep doing what you enjoy bud

[@CharlieEdward25]

@@MicahGallant not really unfair just my personal opinion soo been here many years and enjoyed his content a lot like i said