Automatic Cooling fans

["Tim Fletcher" <timfletcher@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The Netgear SC101 I have (which runs pretty hot) has been used almost
constantly today - backing up tons of data - because it isn't particularly
quick, it keeps the drive spinning for several hours and the heatsink gets
HOT HOT HOT - too hot to keep your hand on it for more than 10 seconds - 60
degrees Plus internally - So I figured I would try and cool it down.  I
gaffa taped a small (35mm) northbridge fan onto the heatsync and the
difference was staggering - at least 15 degrees of cooling - I could do
with a fan which will switch on automatically at an adjustable temperature
- Could be a PC case fan, a hard drive cooler - almost anything - It won't
be on show so it doesn't need to be anything elegant - obviously it would
be better if it was!

Makes you think, the manufacturer could have easily put a small fan in the
heatsink - And they reckon a temperature increase of 10 degrees can halve
the life of the drive.  Could I take a spur off the HDD Power so that the
fan spins when the drive spins up?

- any ideas gratefully received?

Tim.

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