Re: laptop heater

On 1 Jan 2007 08:34:13 -0800, "george" <gjdbxxxx@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I need to keep a labtop in a unheated shed. The labtop spec says that
it should not be used below 55 deg F. I would like to make a box with
a heater to control the temperature. The shed is enclosed so that I
have no problem with moisture(rain or snow).

Two problems. I have attempted to find thermostat switches between 60
and 80 deg F with no luck. Do they just not make them? Also I am
being buried in information about heaters. Can someone provide a
recommendation about a flat heater(1 or 2 inches thick) that I can use?
Preferably surplus.

Thanks
george

Remember that the laptop itself generates some heat - put it in an
insulated box (styrofoam drink coolers are cheap) with a thermometer
and see where the temperature stabilizes. You may not need any
additional heating.

If additonal heating is needed, then you could use a 25 watt light
bulb (or a heating pad). The thermostat may require some
construction. You could use a standard wall thermostat (under $20US
at hardware/home supply stores) with a relay and a transformer that
supplies the voltage needed by the relay (12 and 24 volt transformers
and relays are available in surplus - check http://www.mpja.com/
http://www.allelectronics.com/ or
http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/index.asp in the US.

Power the relay through the thermostat contacts and you'll have an
adjustable temperature-controlled enclosure.

I used the wall thermostat + relay setup to control a 1500 watt heater
in a workshop for years.

With current technology, I would use a DS18B20 temperature sensor and
a PICAXE 08M microcontroller to control a solid state relay that
controlled the heater. (Similar to this fan controller:
http://www.picaxe.us/AV-fan.html )

Post or email if you want more info.

picaxe [at] jecarter [dot] com

.

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