My MBLD runs at a temps between 48-59C, depending on the external temps and the work load. I have found that the high temps tend to slow down the processor and frequently stall the MBLD into a loop. I’ve had to manually reboot (pull the plug) more than once to put an end to this looping. This gets to be a rather complicated affair as i have a lot of external storage attached to teh MBLD via USB - the MBLD will not reboot properly if the external storage is attached, i must remove the storage, reboot, then reconnect. And every time i have to do this hard reboot, i fear that i may corrupt the data on the MBLD or one of the external storage drives. So i decided to find a way to reduce the temps of the MBLD.
The MBLD does not have an internal fan, and frankly the cooling vents are not sufficent by themselves. I attached a powered USB hub to the MBLD, and then I attached two USB powered 80mm fans to the USB hub. I placed the two fans beside each other lying flat under the MBLD with the air being pushed up through the enclosure. The fans are silent running so no noise. AND the fans have brought my MBLD temps down to 30-33C. It is now much more responsive and doesn’t stall. This is the best ‘hack’ i’ve ever done to my MBLD.
I used a USB hub similar to this one
http://www.amazon.com/Powered-7-Port-High-Speed-Adapter/dp/B005C32NMS
I have a lot of chained USB external storage attached to the MBLD via the USB Hub, so I need a larger multi-port powered hub. It doesn’t matter if the hub is USB 2.0 or 3.0 since the MBLD is only USB 2.0. The key thing is that the hub is powered, so that there is enough current to power the fans.
I used this set of 80mm USB powered fans
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NVC1DS
You could also use these
http://www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-AI-MPF80A2-Receiver-Playstation/dp/B00IJ2J2K0
The idea is that the fans should be just big enough to balance the MBLD ontop of them. 80mm is the perfect size. And you will need the two fans, since the MBLD is about 80mm wide and 160mm long. For all my chained USB external storage, I put a 80mm USB fan under each of them as well. I also ran a set of USB fans to cool my modem and my router.
