Rosewill RNX-N4 fan mod.

[joelslaw]

About 9 months ago I bought a Rosewill RNX-N4 router, and overall I've been happy with it. The only problem I really have with it is that, about once every week or two, the router drops all connections and has to be reset to fix the problem. I'm not sure, but I think this is due to overheating, as the case gets pretty hot to the touch.

I upgraded to the latest firmware, but that seemed to have no effect (which makes since if it's an overheating issue). So, I have decided to add a fan to my router to try and fix the issue.

I haven't cracked it open to make my measurements yet, but if I've got enough clearance, I would like to mount the fan inside the unit, and just use a fan grill (on the outside of the unit) and standard fan screws to attach it to the case. See this (very) simplified MS paint drawing to understand what I'm talking about.

The problem I am having right now is choosing the right fan. I don't know jack about electrical engineering, and since I plan to solder the fan leads to the router power supply, I thought I should ask some experts. That's where you come in ;-)

The manual for my router lists the following on the specs page:
-----
Power Requirements:

Power Supply: 90 to 240 VDC ± 10% (depends on different countries)
Device: 12 V/ 1.25A
-----

I would assume that this means I need a fan with the same specs (12 V/ 1.25A). Looking on Newegg, I have no problem finding 12V fans, but they all seem to have much lower amperage (like around 0.4A). I am assuming it would be a bad idea to mismatch the amperage by that much, right?

Let me know what you think. Thanks in advance for the input!

And if you'd like to follow the progress of my mod, check out my blog. I'll be posting about it soon. I'll be sure and give an AT forums shout-out. :-D
http://joelslaw.blogspot.com/

EDIT: Here is the first blog post about it: http://joelslaw.blogspot.com/2...-or-how-i-plan-to.html

 

[ExcaliburMM]

I have the power saving edition. Damn thing wont port forward.

Best of luck with yours and your mod.

 

[ExcaliburMM]

Wow, thanks for the shout in your blog. Really wish people had taken a little more interest in this. They might have if you took pictures of the process I suppose.

 

[joelslaw]

Originally posted by: ExcaliburMM
Wow, thanks for the shout in your blog. Really wish people had taken a little more interest in this. They might have if you took pictures of the process I suppose.

You're very welcome. Thank you for replying to my post!

And good news: I actually did take pictures, it just took me a while to get them posted.

So here is the run down:
Part 1 of the commentary on my mod: Link
Part 2 of the commentary on my mod: Link
Part 3 of the commentary on my mod: Link
Part 4 of the commentary on my mod: Link
Picasa gallery: Link

I am also planning to write a "how to" so other people are also able to do this. When I get finished writing my guide I'll post it here in the AT forums. I know I've read a lot of reviews complaining about the heat this router puts off, so I hope it'll help some people.

Do you guys think I should post my guide in the cooling forum or the networking forum, when I get it finished?

 

[joelslaw]

Oh, and I suppose I should probably answer the question I started this thread for (the amperage thing).

Voltage always has to match, but amperage is like a pool that each component pulls from. So as long as the amps collectively used by the components (the fan and the router in this instance) don't exceed the total amount of amps in the pool, you're safe.