Computer Operating Temperatures

As I have a number of computers always running I built an outside shed to host these so they would not have to be in the Radio Room. These computers are receiving Eumetcast Weather Satellite data, running my Weather Station, acting as a Media Server, monitoring WSPR and APRS for good propagation conditions, running an NTP server etc.

The problem with the shed is a confined space with no ventilation or cooling unless I open the door, which I usually do on hot days but often do not remember until later in the day.

The computers in the shed have been running, with the exception of a couple of very small breaks, continuously for 5 years.

The temperature inside and outside the shed is monitored and it has been very interesting to monitor the inside temperature which can exceed 40 degrees centigrade at times.

The following graph shows a typical day from this August with the internal and external temperatures.



The external temperature always reads a couple of degrees too high as the sensor is located on the side of the shed between the shed and a fence with very little free air flow.

The graph shows very well the difference between the internal and external temperatures.

In the 5 years of continuous operation, the only failure I have had is one of the computer power supplies, no other problems despite continuous operation (and with very heavy disk usage with the Eumetcast satellite receiver), all with standard, consumer, off the shelf computer components.

I suspect being always on helps, but it is interesting how robust computer components really are.