Help me set up a temperature regulated cabinet for my pfsense box
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Hello guys, i have an idea i would like to try on my pfsense box but i need help because i have never tried it before and i think pfsense has the best intelligent community around who are willing to help. Currently i have a pfsense box in one of my network cabinets placed outside my home on the rooftop. This is because i run a WISP and i use pfsense as my firewall router. Recently i have noticed spikes in core temperatures of my core 2 duo machine, sometimes even making the space inside the cabinet a little bit hot . I had once drilled some holes on the cabinet to allow air in but i think they are not allowing sufficient air in. I have an idea of placing 2 small fans in the cabinet facing the outside to bring in more cool air but the caveat is that for the fans to only turn on when the temperature of the pfsense machine reaches a certain degree and not all the time. Is there anyone with technical skills to help me out on this ? Any help would be appreciated ..
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Only devices that can withstand industrial temperature ranges (i.e. -20 - +50) are installed in the rooftop or harsh environmental conditions.
Because high temperatures adversely affect the life of the devices.
There are times when placement is not possible elsewhere, in which case the rack must be cooled (selectable according to need):
- Professional solution and high performance, fully automatic: http://sandaenvicool.com/product/52.html
- Medium size: rack fans + temp. control: https://rackfans.com/
- https://www.teracomsystems.com/ethernet/remote-io-module-tcw122b-cm/ + https://www.teracomsystems.com/sensors/1-wire-temperature-sensor-tst100/
- Cheap home solution: https://www.dipol.ie/rack-cabinets/thermostat-for-fans.html + https://www.ebmpapst.co.uk/en/products/compactfans/compact_fans.html
I hope, I helped you with these sample ideas, any manufacturer and type suitable.
br,Kris
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@OpenWifi said in Help me set up a temperature regulated cabinet for my pfsense box:
in one of my network cabinets placed outside my home on the rooftop
Why?? I can understand an antenna being outside, the actual wisp cpe stuff, etc. But why would your firewall be out there? Make no sense.. Run the cable to where it make more sense to have your networking gear.. Only the stuff that "needs" to be outside should be outside..
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Maybe get a college dorm fridge ... sorry OP couldn't help myself making fun a little!
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@johnpoz its is more accessible on the rooftop since i do not stay around the building, i am just renting the space up the roof
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You need a climate controlled enclosure with ventilation that includes air filters. You are liable to find that any sort of insects/rodents/birds have moved in if you are not careful. And moisture is a killer if you are circulating air from outside.. Most of our cabinets are sealed from the outside and use AC/heat units.
How much space are you able to use? Im guessing not much.. Maybe figure a way to put the unit heatsink outside on the cabinet such as modifying a heatpipe..
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@OpenWifi said in Help me set up a temperature regulated cabinet for my pfsense box:
placed outside my home on the rooftop
i am just renting the space up the roofSo which is it, on the roof of "your" home - or some building you rent? Why would you put a firewall on some roof that your just renting space?
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We choose the solutions shown in the pictures if the installation cannot be solved only in extreme environmental conditions.
This is a good price available TEC (thermoelectric cooler - 300W)
Factory outdoor cabinets are terribly expensive!
The question is legitimate (from johnpoz) , why don't you take the firewall elsewhere? Not possible?
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