best way to cool 2.5in hard drive without fan?

MrUmunhum · 02-13-2016, 06:42 PM

Hi group,
Working on another brain fart. I am planning to build an NFS server with a Raspberry Pi B+ and 4 USB 2.5 inch hard drives. The drives will be mounted like a sandwich, a 2.5x5x4 inch cube. My question is what is the best way to cool the hard drives? Should I use an air gap or Aluminium plates to separate the disk? I am hoping not to need a cooling fan to cut down on power usage.

Hope you understand what I am asking without pictures.

Thanks for you time.

trevoratxtal · 02-14-2016, 01:44 AM

I would leave a gap and mount vertically. Convection should do the rest.
The power consumption of a 2.5 inch drive is low as is a Raspberry Pi.
To test make a cardboard or paper rapper leave holes top and bottom mound vertically and test temperature after 30 min.
I suspect the temperature rise would be well in side of acceptable parameters.
Google Your disk drive model for working temperature range.
Trev