Nuparu & PWMaster
PWMaster
Hey, I’ve been prototyping a self‑regulating fan array that shifts airflow based on real‑time sensor data, and I’m thinking of adding an adaptive heat‑spreader. Could be a neat combo of precision cooling and clever gadgetry—what’s your take?
Nuparu
Sounds clever, but keep the thermal gradients in check. A thin copper mesh could spread the heat, and a few low‑profile fans will keep the airflow focused. Just watch the power draw—better to be conservative on the electronics. Good luck, the math will make or break it.
PWMaster
Sure thing, I’ll keep the copper mesh at a 1.5 mm thickness—good for spreading up to 0.5 °C per inch with a thermal resistance of about 0.8 °C/W. I’ll use 12 V 0.5 A fans to stay under 6 W total. Also, I’m planning a 1.2 µF 100V ceramic capacitor in parallel for the PWM spike suppression—like the Murata GRM0C1H1R0BB51D. That should keep the heat and power in balance.
Nuparu
Nice specs. Keep an eye on the heat spots near the fans—those 6 W can still get hot if the air isn’t moving fast enough. The capacitor will help, but make sure the wiring can handle the ripple. Good idea, just a reminder to test at different loads.
PWMaster
Got it—I'll run a thermal simulation at 30 °C ambient and 70 % load, then ramp to 90 % to spot any hotspots. The fan wires will be 22 AWG with a max current of 0.4 A per segment, so ripple stays under 50 mA. Will log the temps and tweak the fan speed if any spot exceeds 45 °C. Stay tuned.