Scrufboy
Active Member
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2021
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Been talking with a friend about this unit in it's current state. As Aiyima have asked what can they do, implement or change for the manufacturing a "Pro" version... We still have to address our existing units.
As I've read, heat can be a big deal with this A07. Causing the lifespan to be dramatically reduced. Aiyima could have made this unit slightly wider and spread these components out much better. Think of the actual Texas Intrument reference unit.
I propose a few ideas to help address this heat issue that may or may not have been discussed.
First, those poor caps. I put a strip of heatshield tape on the sides of the caps that are nearly touching that heatsink. This tape exists for electronics and other things to deflect heat away. Will it work? Will it make things worse? Only time will tell.
But that heatsink Aiyima uses is a joke. If it was closer to a CPU heatsink in design with more fins that were thinner and in our case tapered in length (shorter on the edges). You would of course have a larger surface area to handle the heat with a shape that would pull more heat away from those caps. But that isn't enough..
The real problem is that there is no airflow to remove this heat effectively so the Aiyima A07 is basically a little oven.
The quick and dirty way to address this is to force it to have a natural convection like airflow.
It needs a small set of slots or a series of vent holes on the top at the back of the upper half of the enclosure or directly over the heatsink itself. This along with intake holes on the sides of the bottom half toward the front would serve to dissipate and remove heat faster.
The heat would rise and exit the upper back vents or vents above the heatsink.... This would naturally force air intake at the holes on the side at the front of the bottom half of the enclosure. Airflow across the fins is essential. If there were more fins that were thinner, the unit would cool much faster and more efficiently.
Aiyima could make these units with a better heatsink and these airflow solutions now. This would open the door for an aftermarket solution. Because they would manufacturing new units with the changes, they would also be able offer a new emclosure to those who already have the A07. They could even offer the improved heatsink with a small tube of thermal paste. Sold directly to the customer who wanted them. Voiding all warranties of course.
I know I would buy it. But a dremel, a drill and a way to blacken the aluminum is all we need to start.
We might even find a better heatsink online. They do come in all shapes and sizes.
This would invariably be the logical step to take if someone was addressing the issue of heat with new thermal paste. Using the paste, without airflow across the fins of a heatsink really doesn't help that much.
Can the DIY community rally on this?
Who can say... Just venting the unit properly is a step in the right direction.
Thanks for reading. Share your thoughts. I'll edit this for clarity and correctness if needed. If this thread should be moved. I'm all for it.
As I've read, heat can be a big deal with this A07. Causing the lifespan to be dramatically reduced. Aiyima could have made this unit slightly wider and spread these components out much better. Think of the actual Texas Intrument reference unit.
I propose a few ideas to help address this heat issue that may or may not have been discussed.
First, those poor caps. I put a strip of heatshield tape on the sides of the caps that are nearly touching that heatsink. This tape exists for electronics and other things to deflect heat away. Will it work? Will it make things worse? Only time will tell.
But that heatsink Aiyima uses is a joke. If it was closer to a CPU heatsink in design with more fins that were thinner and in our case tapered in length (shorter on the edges). You would of course have a larger surface area to handle the heat with a shape that would pull more heat away from those caps. But that isn't enough..
The real problem is that there is no airflow to remove this heat effectively so the Aiyima A07 is basically a little oven.
The quick and dirty way to address this is to force it to have a natural convection like airflow.
It needs a small set of slots or a series of vent holes on the top at the back of the upper half of the enclosure or directly over the heatsink itself. This along with intake holes on the sides of the bottom half toward the front would serve to dissipate and remove heat faster.
The heat would rise and exit the upper back vents or vents above the heatsink.... This would naturally force air intake at the holes on the side at the front of the bottom half of the enclosure. Airflow across the fins is essential. If there were more fins that were thinner, the unit would cool much faster and more efficiently.
Aiyima could make these units with a better heatsink and these airflow solutions now. This would open the door for an aftermarket solution. Because they would manufacturing new units with the changes, they would also be able offer a new emclosure to those who already have the A07. They could even offer the improved heatsink with a small tube of thermal paste. Sold directly to the customer who wanted them. Voiding all warranties of course.
I know I would buy it. But a dremel, a drill and a way to blacken the aluminum is all we need to start.
We might even find a better heatsink online. They do come in all shapes and sizes.
This would invariably be the logical step to take if someone was addressing the issue of heat with new thermal paste. Using the paste, without airflow across the fins of a heatsink really doesn't help that much.
Can the DIY community rally on this?
Who can say... Just venting the unit properly is a step in the right direction.
Thanks for reading. Share your thoughts. I'll edit this for clarity and correctness if needed. If this thread should be moved. I'm all for it.