Keeping the Saturn cool.

[Push Upstairs]

Playing the Saturn (even for 15 minutes) leaves the back left side of the sytem quite hot to the touch and i have been trying to figure out how to correct or at least keep the system cooler.

I've been trying to figure out how to keep the system cool and, at best, all i can up with is a device similar to that of laptop cool pads. I'd use a cool pad for a laptop but i'd need something that is self powered (nothing plugged into USB ports), and i'm not sure if the ones out there will have good fan placement.

I'd do some type of internal fan mod but I don't know squat about electronics and i don't really want to modify my system.

Does anyone have any ideas or some helpful tips to remedy this problem?

[Bratwurst]

I seem to recall a third party device released for the original Playstation that addressed this very problem. It was a self contained plastic housing that circulated air underneath the system. It certainly wouldn't hurt to track down the company that made this and see if a Saturn version was made (or if the PSX version worked in its stead.)

[SkiDragon]

I was going to say that the Saturn was already cool.

But seriously, I know they make a device like this for the Xbox 360. I dont know how it gets power, but you could look into adapting that.

[Push Upstairs]

Sadly, that 360 device along with ones for PS2, Gamecube, & XBOX all run off the power of the system (which is great, but not good in this case).

Bratwurst, was this device a small gray stand that the PSX sat on and allowed air to flow under it? If it's the same one i am thinking about then i might have seen it sometime in the past...i just don't remember where.

Ideally, i'd like for this cooling device to look similar to the Saturn (maybe even placed inside the bottom half of another Saturn shell) but I suppose i could worry about looks after i find a suitable cooling unit first.


EDIT: Bratwurst is THIS the device you were talking about?

[jferio]

My recommendation is, if all you can find are USB powered cooling devices, then spend about $10 and buy an externally powered USB hub. I have a four-port hub with an external brick, and if all the cooling unit does is draw power, then it shouldn't need a computer attached to the hub for it to work.

[WhiteHenDecapitator]

I have never noticed my Saturn getting hot to the touch, but then again the only time I touch it is to change a game or power it on or off.

The Saturn should be fine if left un-cooled, I would only be worried if it started to shutdown or reset itself.

[Bratwurst]

EDIT: Bratwurst is THIS the device you were talking about?

That'd be it. Looks like a good price, Saturn doesn't have the same footprint though. The simplicity of this thing could be reproduced with a power supply, some fans and an ABS plastic project box. jferio's idea is also a good one.

There's also something to be said for simply elevating the Saturn by its four corners so there's an empty space underneath for air to flow through.

[Push Upstairs]

I do have my system sitting up and it still gets kinda warm.

The thing is that i'm not terribly handy in the electronics department. As far as the parts you mentioned, you mean a computer power supply and some cooling fans? I don't know how to hook those up to a power supply.

That "COOL STAND" is probably what i need, however I don't have pay pal (which is why i don't have it bought now). I wonder if anyone on here might have one.

It should be easy to take that apart and perhaps alter it to fit my need.

I would go the laptop coolpad route but at best i find them for is around the $30 range and i don;t really want to drop that much for something like this.

[Ponyone]

What is that black box sitting on top of the COOL STAND in the ebay picture of the actual box?

It's not too clear, but maybe it's a Saturn.

I highly doubt that's a Saturn on there, but it's too blurry to tell. Maybe a fatboy PS2?

Plus the box doesn't seem to specify it's for PS only, so maybe there's a way to plop the Sat on there.

I dunno.

[SkiDragon]

Another suggestion. I have my Xbox sitting on top of a satellite TV receiver, and to dissipate the heat I am using some pieces of wood as "stilts" to keep a space between the Xbox and the receiver. It might not even be necesary, but I have never had any problems with it.

[Push Upstairs]

What is that black box sitting on top of the COOL STAND in the ebay picture of the actual box?

I think its an N64.

[Ponyone]

Yeah, on this other computer I can see the picture more clearly and it's n64

So then at least the thing is compatible with different systems so then maybe the Saturn will go as well.

[Slate]

You're going to have to open that saturn up. If you bought it used, The last owner may have tried to do a modjob or left a rag in it, Or worse, there could be an insect infestation.. ()

If there is nothing like that inside it, Modding it isn't very hard. You just have to know what you're doing.