custom notebook cooler with lcd fan controller and temperature sensors

was going through some old pics and realised I never had posted about it

so I made this notebook cooler a very long time ago.
I used a coolermaster notepal because it has an aluminium surface with lot's of holes (more airflow) and rubber feet.
it can be easily moved around. I've a small molex psu to power it. I considered usb but it doesn't have enough power to power all the fans and the controller and if I'm using it then the notebook is also plugged so it's not an issue.
it has 2x 120mmx25mm + 2x 80mmx10mm fans, easily replaced by different ones of the same size if I want.
I positioned the fans according to my notebook air intakes and then added a fan controller with built in temperature sensors.
if I want to change the notebook I can easily reposition the fans. If I'm not using an HDD I might use magnets as they are easier to move around. works quite good. having the speed control and temperature is quite nice. noise and temperatures are easily controlled.
I'm 3d printing some plastic parts to improve cosmetics near the lcd.
it was quite easy and fast and fits very nicely. I used hot glue and cable ties for positioning and cable management. (tons of cables but they fit nicely behind the lcd.

 

I got a cheap 10 buck cooling pad and modified it.

Kept the stock fans, removed the grate as it was blocking 80% of the airflow. Then I added two 80mm fans on top of the 120mm fans.

The stock mount didn't fit the 80mm fans so I moved them down and hot glued them into place.

Then, I wired a voltage booster to the 120mm fans so they can operate from 6-15v depending on the dial.

End result? Massive amounts of airflow for about 15 bucks. Best of all, it works with usb power. No need for a power supply. Just need a USB to USB cable which can be stowed into the cooling pad itself.

 

and usb is enough to power all that?!

 

Yup, works fine on all my laptops. Guess usb ports are pretty overbuilt.

I measured that it draws 12w when supplying 15v to the fans, 10w when at 12v.