1 Topic by skrily (edited by skrily 2015-08-05 08:50:46)

  • skrily
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Topic: Acrylic case for power supply?

The LED strip power supplies some of us use (instead of an ATX) are pretty ugly.
I've seen some transparent acrylic cases for ATX PSUs by PC builders.
I'd like make something like that for a LED strip PSU instead, maybe get a black plexiglass cut.
Don't think the acrylic will bend or melt unless the PSU reaches temps dangerous by itself.
Any other safety issues you see with this?

EDIT: Like this except covering the whole surface and having the same holes as on the aluminum.
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:621717

2 Reply by AZERATE

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Re: Acrylic case for power supply?

We all know electronics don't like to get hot, so enclosing them can get a little tricky.
With that said, I have my PSUs (which are strikingly similar to the Thing you linked) housed next to my printers boards inside an acrylic enclosure. I know it can get toasty in there, so I added a few fans to keep everything cool.

The PSU should have a fan to vent heat buildup, but that alone will not be enough even with holes in the panels. Work in an extra fan to prevent overheating

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3 Reply by skrily (edited by skrily 2015-08-06 06:41:59)

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Re: Acrylic case for power supply?

If you have your PSU inside the heated enclosure that's a good PSU for your job then. Even though you have fan the air their blowing is already pretty warm, not as hot, but still warmer than average room temp.
But then again you're probably using a 30A PSU for a 3d printer which maybe doesn't even draw 10A. Nothing wrong with that, extra few bucks is worth the lower working temp.
My device draws more though, around 24. Maybe I should get a 40A one instead. But even then it's closer to the limit than in your case.