Fixing A Fan To A Heatsink - HomeBrew Forum at eHam.net

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eHam.net Forum : HomeBrew : Fixing A Fan To A Heatsink

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Fixing A Fan To A Heatsink	Reply
by TANAKASAN on October 20, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
Converting to US measurements I have a heatsink which is 4 inches x 6 inches and 1.25 inches high and the fan is 3.6 inches square (give or take the fiddle factor). The space in between the heatsink vanes is a gradual 'V' shape just to make life interesting. Now, how can I fix the heatsink to the fan and make it look reasonably neat? the only options I have thought of are a) machined blocks glued between the vanes or b) 2 inch long bolts passing through the fan and the vanes to reach the flat surface beneath. All ideas welcome. Tanakasan

RE: Fixing A Fan To A Heatsink	Reply
by W5FYI on October 20, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
The conventionally accepted way is to mount the fan so that it blows from one end through the valleys (you didn't say which way the valleys run). If the sink gets very hot, you might want to consider mounting the fan so that it blows the heat directly upward through the valleys. If the heat sink is enclosed in a cabinet, filtering the air before it gets inside will prevent dust and other crud from getting inside and sticking to parts you want to stay cool. Positive pressure inside the cabinet will also keep dust and critters from entering through other holes and cracks.

RE: Fixing A Fan To A Heatsink	Reply
by TANAKASAN on October 20, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
OK, thanks but I don't think you understood the question. I'm looking for a secure and neat way to secure the fan to the heatsink fins. Tanakasan

RE: Fixing A Fan To A Heatsink	Reply
by AA4PB on October 20, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
Can you make a support bracket for the fan that attaches to the case or chassis rather than having the heat sink support it? If not, then the best way is probably the bolts thru the backplate of the heat sink. Perhaps get some aluminum spacers and file the ends to a "V" shape to match the heatsink valleys and slide them over the bolts.

RE: Fixing A Fan To A Heatsink	Reply
by W5FYI on October 20, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I'm guessing the fan housing already has screw holes in each corner. If so, simply drill and tap corresponding holes in the heat sink. I'm visualizing two holes along the base of the fan/sink connection, so that the fan blows air through the sink's valleys. That would place the fan housing perpendicular to the heat sink. Most hardware stores and home centers will sell you individual taps and drills for the properly-sized holes. I'm guessing a number 6 or 8 tap and screw would get the job done, and still be strong enough that the fan would be unlikely to break away from the sink. (Of course, without being able to see either the fan or the sink, I can only guess at what might work).

RE: Fixing A Fan To A Heatsink	Reply
by K5LXP on October 20, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
A quick and easy way I do it is with silicone sealant. A dab wherever the frame of the fan contacts a fin is more than enough to hold it in place, and you can use color matched silicone if appearance is important. If the fan needs to be replaced or you want to restore the equipment to original at some point, the fan and silicone can be readily removed at any time. Mark K5LXP Albuquerque, NM

RE: Fixing A Fan To A Heatsink	Reply
by TANAKASAN on October 21, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
And Mark K5LXP is the winner. I tried this last night using black silicone to match the fan, 24 hours later the joints are so strong that I can lift up the whole assembly by the fan. Thanks. Tanakasan

RE: Fixing A Fan To A Heatsink	Reply
by VE3EFJ on October 30, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I had a similar situation some years ago involving an HR2510 and affixing a fan to the heatsink. What I did was stuff some rubber grommets between the fins at stategic points aligned with the fan mounting holes. Next, using some #4 wood screws about 1 1/8" long, I just screwed the fan into the grommets and onto the heatsink. The screws more or less self tapped into the grommets, and while threading they fixed the grommet between the heatsink vanes. Once all 4 corners are done, its amazingly stable. Its only ugly during the process. Once completed, it looks pretty neat. Wayne

RE: Fixing A Fan To A Heatsink	Reply
by KE5HJO on November 6, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
Next time, try 3M VHB Tape http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/VHB/Tapes/Solutions/Markets-Applications Works great. Car manufacturers use it to stick the decals/emblems onto the outside surfaces of the car so you know this stuff is weather proof.

RE: Fixing A Fan To A Heatsink	Reply
by W7AIT on November 6, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I used safety wire and twist tied it through the fan mounting holes then around the heat sink. Fan nice and tight and no interference with air flow.

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