Want to put my internet Wifi router into my mini fridge in the hangar

[maduro]

I have a t-mobile internet router in my hangar and the temps are starting to rise here in Socal. The hangar temps at peek summer gets way higher than the max operating temp of the router which is 104F. I am thinking of putting the router in my mini fridge. It has external antennas. I would need to drill holes in the fridge for the cables. Have any of you done this?

 

[Bill]

I have a t-mobile internet router in my hangar and the temps are starting to rise here in Socal. The hangar temps at peek summer gets way higher than the max operating temp of the router which is 104F. I am thinking of putting the router in my mini fridge. I would need to drill holes in the fridge for the cables. Have any of you done this?

Are the walls of the mini fridge made of metal? If so, faraday cage will block WiFi signal.

 

[maduro]

Are the walls of the mini fridge made of metal? If so, faraday cage will block WiFi signal.

The router has external antennas mounted on the roof of the hangar. The hangar is all steel panels so its already a faraday cage.

 

[455 Bravo Uniform]

Not done it. But any insulated thing (fridge, ice chest) without cold should be ok. If the hangar peaks above 104, then drops, you’re just needing to insulate against the peak. Once the interior of the cooler/off-fridge reaches some equilibrium, it should be some average of the hangar peak and low at all times (it just “mutes” the highs and lows). Now if your hangar low is close to 104, then plug that fridge in.

 

[Llewtrah381]

If you choose to drill holes in the fridge, first make darn sure the condenser coils aren’t in the wall you’re drilling through!

I’m with 455BU: I think an ice chest, including one of those robust disposable ones from Omaha Steaks, etc, would be my first try. Then again, the router does produce heat itself, so maybe not.

What about just a fan always blowing on it?

 

[M20K]

Which router? I see that the Sagemcom Fast 5688W Gateway has a max temp of 122F. The other thing you might try is just a little box fan blowing at the router. That might be enough to keep the internal temps down.

And do you need a full size router in the hangar? I was thinking about getting something like the Franklin T10 Mobile Hotspot, which has a max operating temp of 113F.

 

[Gary Ward]

I have a t-mobile internet router in my hangar and the temps are starting to rise here in Socal. The hangar temps at peek summer gets way higher than the max operating temp of the router which is 104F. I am thinking of putting the router in my mini fridge. It has external antennas. I would need to drill holes in the fridge for the cables. Have any of you done this?

I do the opposite during the winter to keep some stuff from freezing. Unplug the fridge use a reptile heater on a thermostat to keep it 50° in it.
I don't see why you couldn't do the same during the summer?
Maybe turn the temp up a little?
How cold do you like your beer?
Maybe get a dedicated fridge for your router?
I have 2 mini fridges and 5cf deep freeze in my hangar. I use the deep freeze as my hot box during the winter.

 

[Gary Ward]

I have a 5G router in my new truck. How does that work? Will I be able to use that at the hangar? Does the truck need to be on for the router to work?

 

[FORANE]

This is interesting to me as I too have a few of these devices.

 

[Lindberg]

Not done it. But any insulated thing (fridge, ice chest) without cold should be ok. If the hangar peaks above 104, then drops, you’re just needing to insulate against the peak. Once the interior of the cooler/off-fridge reaches some equilibrium, it should be some average of the hangar peak and low at all times (it just “mutes” the highs and lows). Now if your hangar low is close to 104, then plug that fridge in.

Without cold could have the opposite of intended effect. The router gives off heat. That insulation will keep the heat inside. With cooling I'd worry about condensation.

 

[AV8R_87]

Build a small insulating box with a thermoelectric cooler. But it will need a bit of DIY to make it work.

 

[flyingron]

Build a small insulating box with a thermoelectric cooler. But it will need a bit of DIY to make it work.

I'd start with just a fan. The router probably can handle a higher temperature, provided something is carrying away its own heat rather than simple convection.

 

[Dana]

I'd start with just a fan. The router probably can handle a higher temperature, provided something is carrying away its own heat rather than simple convection.

Put it in a fridge and you're likely to have condensation issues, especially if the door seal is compromised by cables running through it.

 

[flyingron]

Put it in a fridge and you're likely to have condensation issues, especially if the door seal is compromised by cables running through it.

You're likely also to block the WIFI and the cellular signals. I had a hard enough time with my cellphone preheater starter in my all metal hangar. I had to poke an antenna out the eaves of the hangar to get it to receive the signals.

 

[eman1200]

just when I thought PoA was getting weak, I wake up to a “I want to mount a router in my fridge” thread.

 

[maduro]

All, thanx for all the suggestions. My hangar mates told me our hangars can get up to 140F during the peak. What I am going to do is to buy a portable room AC and then have tubes blow into a DIY foam insulated box for the internet router and a security DVR. Again, I have an external antenna that is mounted on top of the hangar. I'll post some pics after I set this up.