adding an additional fan to A dell PowerEdge T110

Question

Hello all, I'm posting this to ask anyone if it is possible to add an additional fan to my Dell PowerEdge T110 server. I had an incident a few months ago where the unit overheated, and then a whole bunch of things got messed up. When the server is really acting as a server serving a web site, mail, and a few custom WCF applications to my community and friends (for we run a community together and we'll need some applications pertaining to it), I'd really like to avoid that as much as possible when the room the server is in (just a regular computer room for we have no special server room. This is my house) reaches above 90 degrees as seems to happen a lot in the summer time. I figure it would be cheaper to add a fan to the server rather than have to worry about buying a whole air conditioning unit for we have plenty of those, and one more would just be one more thing my father has to do. If you folks have any suggestions, I would appreciate them. (and I would rather not drill any wholes in the case of the server for void of warranty for one, and that's server destruction in my opinion for two).

theflash1932 · Accepted Answer

Yes, most custom cases allow for many different fan configurations/options.  The Dell servers do not, as they are already configured to cool a system in many different scenarios and configurations ... however, it is all automatic.  As long as the server is kept in a sensible temperature, it will cool the unit just fine.

theflash1932 · Answer

No, you cannot add a fan to the server without modifying the unit itself.  90 degrees is quite a warm place to keep a server.  I would keep it in a location with better cooling.  Or simply pointing an office fan at it would probably cool it sufficiently ... the purchase cost and electrical cost of a fan would be less than to run an actual AC unit to cool the whole room.

Chromebuster · Answer

Thanks for letting me know.  I guess most towers that can be modified that way were custom built.

theflash1932 · Answer

I would ... backside exhaust is only half the equation.  The system pulls air in the front as a supply of air to blow out the back, thus cooling the system.

Chromebuster · Answer

interesting.  I wonder if it wouldn't be smart to move it though.  It is in one of those enclosed desks where it has a wooden door but the back panel is knocked out for better air circulation.

Chromebuster · Answer

Thanks.  I find it interesting then that rack units can withstand enclosure.  Accept for the fact that those rooms are usually air conditioned.

theflash1932 · Answer

Air conditioned ... and the servers' chassis are optimized for in-the-front/out-the-back cooling, with open/mesh front/back panels on the rack.

PowerEdge Hardware General

adding an additional fan to A dell PowerEdge T110

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