My modem gets very hot, how to cool it?

[Kyo123458]

My motem:
http://www.arris.com/surfboard/products/cable-modems/sb6183/

 

[MrGenius]

Why cool it? That is the question.

 

[Kyo123458]

Why cool it? That is the question.

Isnt it like a pc where if it overheats, problems occur

 

[natr0n]

Get a mini house fan pointing at it if it bothers you.

 

[Kursah]

Isnt it like a pc where if it overheats, problems occur

That begs the question, is there a problem?

You could always aim a fan at it, or if you know circuitry add a 12v fan to the device with some craftiness and soldering.

 

[AsRock]

That begs the question, is there a problem?

You could always aim a fan at it, or if you know circuitry add a 12v fan to the device with some craftiness and soldering.

My 6121 gets hot, they get pretty dam hot in fact how ever mines lasted some 5 years or there about and hasn't given a single sign of a issue, and that's even in a room without a air conditioner in the room too.

But i my self have been planing of putting a fan on mine just never got around to it. was thinking of just connecting a fan to a powered USB hub and have done with it.

There was some one on here some time ago who took one apart and connected the fan to the input.

Or even a 2-Way 2.1mm DC Barrel Jack Splitter, just make sure you get the right size.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005CHHWZM/?tag=tec06d-20

Side of it is vented still on that model ?, put it on it's side will help too just make sure the PCB part is closest to what ever it's on, could put feet on it too when on it's side so much less heat reflects if on it's side.

Mines been that way for ever lol.

EDIT: Just sits there getting dusty.

 

[eidairaman1]

its an arris thats why, fan it directly

 

[Mussels]

if it has a USB port, get a USB powered fan and point it right back at the modem.

Or just get a better modem.

 

[Deleted member 67555]

I can't believe nobody has suggested putting it in ice water... One dip and you'll never have to worry about it over heating again.....
Just in case.. That was a joke..
The USB powered fan is actually a really good idea.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

I use an old laptop cooler made by Antec to cool my modem. Its not 'cool' cool but it keeps the air underneath it moving

 

[DRDNA]

Cooling will help the longevity normally! Fan that sucker ...I do

 

[jboydgolfer]

Patent pending

 

[PLAfiller]

I'd personally throw in a cheapo laptop cooling pad with some old phone adapter to the wall socket. Looks nice, won't break the bank, saves time, but it won't produce phenomenal results to be fair. Still better than nothing.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Isnt it like a pc where if it overheats, problems occur

"IF" it overheats applies to all electronics. But there is a BIG difference between very warm and "over" heating.

There seems to be a common misconception that cooler is always better. That is simply NOT true. It is absolutely essential electronics be properly cooled, but as long as it is operating within its normal operating range, there is nothing to suggest cooler temps cause the device (including CPUs and computers) to perform better, be more stable, or have longer longevity.

What's hot? Have you measured it? I have the SB6141 and it get pretty warm, but it sure is NOT too hot to touch. Note it, like yours is full of ventilation holes designed to let the heat out. So you should be feeling heat. Mine has always run very warm and it is about 5 years old with never a problem.

I just zapped mine with my laser-gun thermometer and the highest temp read was [naturally] at the top at 114°F. That's no big deal for electronics.

I say, if not broken, don't fix it! Looking at the Data Sheet for the SB6183, you will note it has an "Environmental Operating Temperature" of 32 to 104°F. "Environmental" means the room you are in must not be hotter than 104°F. I will assume it is ~30° cooler than that.

Take it outside and give it a blast of compressed air if dusty and make sure it has a few inches of ventilation space around it. Then go back to surfing the Internet. I see no reason to put a fan on it. If it was needed Motorola/Arris would have included one.

 

[peche]

Patent pending

+1, also i use processor box to accomplish that fan !

I'd personally throw in a cheapo laptop cooling pad with some old phone adapter to the wall socket. Looks nice, won't break the bank, saves time, but it won't produce phenomenal results to be fair. Still better than nothing.

another interesting point....

 

[jboydgolfer]

+1, also i use processor box to accomplish that

popsicle stick box, router sits on top, fan plugs into usb port on rear of router, i have removed 2 squares of the plastic router housing from the bottom, each square about 2"x3"....works great + you dont see the fan unless you pick up the router.

@OP, Routers and modems are typically passively cooled so temperatures in the 60 to 70 range and even more aren't abnormal

 

[theFOoL]

Why you Worried? These Router have a High Thermal Reach

 

[Kursah]

OP hasn't been seen online since 13 minutes after creating this thread.

Though there are some very creative solutions here, hopefully they'll find it useful among others!

Why you Worried? These Router have a High Thermal Rich

Thermal rich? Care to explain what that is?

 

[Bill_Bright]

router sits on top

These Router have a High Thermal Rich

Thermal rich? Care to explain what that is?

And how it applies to the OP's "modem" not router?

 

[theFOoL]

Whatever ha same thing. Misspelled so oops

 

[Kursah]

Whatever ha same thing. Misspelled so oops

Feel free to fix your typos and misspellings rather than posting further off-topic posts please. Thanks!

Back on-topic, I can't say I've ever seen or had a modem fail on me personally, but I have seen plenty fail out in the field. Usually attributed to age or abuse though. Not that heat wouldn't be a direct factor of either reason, it is true these devices are built to run on the warmer side.

As I asked before, is there an actual problem in the first place? We may never know unless the OP comes back...

 

[EarthDog]

Isnt it like a pc where if it overheats, problems occur

I guess my question is... are you having problems? Or do you just want to cool it down (for no reason)?

 

[peche]

popsicle stick box, router sits on top, fan plugs into usb port on rear of router, i have removed 2 squares of the plastic router housing from the bottom, each square about 2"x3"....works great + you dont see the fan unless you pick up the router.

@OP, Routers and modems are typically passively cooled so temperatures in the 60 to 70 range and even more aren't abnormal

i'll show the ones ive made this afternoon, gonna send some PM's to aviod spam here, but its something like that! also with some generic case parts they work flawless!

Regards,

 

[Kyo123458]

Hmm I guess maybe I am a bit too worried about it, it is warm and not hot to the touch so I guess the motem should be fine. As for the usb fan, that's a great idea and I probably will find use of it for something. Thanks for helping everyone and have a great day!