Electronics > Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff

DC load using a CPU cooler

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microbug:
I'm going to make myself a simple electronic load with optional dynamic load (pulsing) capability, based on Jay_Diddy_B's dynamic load (driving the current input with a DAC). I'm just wondering why I haven't seen any loads around that have CPU coolers (active heatsinks) instead of a lump of aluminium. From my limited research, they're fairly cheap and can have thermal characteristics of less than 1C/W (easy to dissipate 75W per cooler). Comments?

bktemp:
I have done that, works great. Especially the better ones with heat pipes can easily dissipate >100W. The only problem: Either it is big an quiet or small and noisy.

mrflibble:

--- Quote from: bktemp on September 13, 2014, 10:47:14 am ---I have done that, works great. Especially the better ones with heat pipes can easily dissipate >100W.

--- End quote ---

Ditto.


--- Quote ---The only problem: Either it is big an quiet or small and noisy.

--- End quote ---
Yup. IMO best go for big and quiet. And to keep it cheap you can buy after market coolers for an outdated socket from the bargain bin.

microbug:
Thanks for the bargain bin idea! You can get coolers fairly cheap on aliexpress as well. Good to know it works!

rob77:
why to buy a new cpu cooler ? i built my DC load with a old pentium II passive cooler with a second old amd sempron cooler on top of it ;) it takes ~ 75W continuous and 100W short term... doesn't have to be noisy either - 2 PTCs (one glued near the MOSFETs and one near the power-resistor) and comparators with hysteresis controlling the fan.

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