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air filters anyone?

Submitted by dankephoto on January 6, 2005 - 7:48pm. Hardware Hacks

Appears to me there's no practical way to add air filters to the intakes on most Macs. Anyone ever try?

I've got some old high quality external HD cases that incorporate easy-to-clean filters. Always thought that a nice touch, though one did have to clean the filters once in a while (else they'd get clogged and cut off yer airflow.) Well, mine did, YMMV depending on whether your space is as dusty as is mine. Smiling

dan k

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Jon's picture

The problem is that many desi

Submitted by Jon on January 6, 2005 - 7:57pm.

The problem is that many designs don't have a simple point of entry for the air. Many have multiple slots and vent where the air is drawn in in. I'd thiunk it'd be very model specific as to if you can feasibly put filters on the vents, AND remeber where they are all at to clean them once in a while.

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original filtering design

Submitted by dead_elvis on January 6, 2005 - 8:40pm.

Just stick a floppy drive anywhere in the case. Judging by what I've seen in cases that haven't been opened in years, Apple intended for these to act as dust filters Eye-wink [/smart-ass unhelpful reply]

» "One day I shot an elephant in my pajamas. What he was doing in my pajamas I have no idea."

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Tries once on a 7300

Submitted by elefant on January 7, 2005 - 10:35am.

I once added air filters to my 7300, mostly in an attempt to lower noise. On this model and quite possibly on other PCI desktop Power-Macs, you can put them behind the power-supply, in the plastic grille in the cabinet. I think the best material is air filters from vacuum-cleaners. These are (was) available as sheets which are easily adaptable.

» "TV can make you think that you are being educated, when in fact all you're doing is blinking your life away with a remote control." - Mynak Tulku

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Was that effective? Air blows

Submitted by dead_elvis on January 7, 2005 - 12:25pm.

Was that effective? Air blows *out* of that opening, so you were filtering the air after it's already entered the case and added to the dust bunnies.

» "One day I shot an elephant in my pajamas. What he was doing in my pajamas I have no idea."

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Not really

Submitted by elefant on January 7, 2005 - 1:59pm.

I added the filters to lower the noise, but that wasn't effective either, because the fan is temperature controlled. The filters restricted the airflow so the fan revved up, which gave even more noise. Anyway, when I removed the filters they was full of dust, so they did catch some, even though it was from inside the case.

But hey, the only dust that is annoying is the stuff you inhale. Eye-wink

» "TV can make you think that you are being educated, when in fact all you're doing is blinking your life away with a remote control." - Mynak Tulku

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Cruller's picture

.

Submitted by Cruller on January 7, 2005 - 4:56pm.
elefant wrote:
But hey, the only dust that is annoying is the stuff you inhale. Eye-wink
Until your computer is so filled with dust that air can't cool it and you end up with 7300 Flambé. Sticking out tongue (kidding)
I taped a bunch of dryer sheets to the inside vents of my PC. works really well, and my desk smells dryer-fresh for about a week.

I haven't used a can of dust-off in months. Except upside-down, to flash freeze banana peels and such.

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eeun's picture

intake hole

Submitted by eeun on January 7, 2005 - 5:54pm.

IMHO, the most effective way to use a filter on a Mac would be to create a dedicated air intake, complete with fan to offset the otherwise negative case pressure (no more floppy dust rhinos!).
The big question is where do you put it?

Speaking of case modding...holy crap!
I think we had a link to the brother of that case a while back.

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3 stories posted
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Air filters for computers and electronics

Submitted by Ricardo Fiske on May 12, 2006 - 6:58pm.

The best air filters for electronics and computers is a easy cut and paste system found at computerairfilters.com. The invention has been around for severa years and works on many applications. one of the better devices on the internet.

Thanks

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dankephoto's picture

but Macs . . .

Submitted by dankephoto on May 12, 2006 - 9:54pm.

don't generally use an intake fan, they (usually) use exhaust fans along with (usually) intricately distributed intake points. There's never (usually) a nice flat expanse of case surface used for air intake where a filter would fit. That was my original complaint, back a year and a few months ago when I made the original post.

Actually, a G5 has probably the best case for adding filter material. But then, I ain't got one of them there jobbies so who gives a rat's a55? Sticking out tongue

dan k

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