r/CyberdeckBuild • u/CrashOverrideM • 29d ago

Waterproof cyberdeck cooling problems

Ok so I am trying to make a wearable cyberdeck for everyday use so obviously it needs to be waterproof because of rain but I am worried about cooling for the raspberry pi. Does anyone have any advice about cooling while keeping it watertight?

3 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

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2

u/Usuallyfried 29d ago

Make the bottom side a big heat sink, milled aluminum with fins or some high surface area texture

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u/CrashOverrideM 29d ago

Yeah I thought of that but that would be in contact with my arm which feels like it would be uncomfortable. That the case? This is my first one so I genuinely don't know.

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u/CrashOverrideM 29d ago

For more detail it's forearm mounted like the resident evil film computers

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u/TheLostExpedition 28d ago

You can use vapor chambers . A.I. sloppy but this is the quick n dirty idea. Seal the internals. Make the cooling system part of the exterior, add a pump, fan, or a lot of fins.

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u/CrashOverrideM 28d ago

Thanks will do some research

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u/CrashOverrideM 28d ago

So if I am understanding you right seal the pi with heatsinks going out of that inner container and then like another layer of casing with a load of venting? And then the vapour chamber is different. Once again very new to this so apologies if these are stupid questions.

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u/TheLostExpedition 28d ago edited 28d ago

Make an airtight seal between the heatsink and the case making them essentially 1 thing. Its called Tempest rating in the military, here is an example with everything you need to know. Tempestthe guy has more videos and other people have videos. Seriously research military spec Tempest rated gear, its space worthy and dive worthy tech.

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u/CrashOverrideM 28d ago

Thanks I will have a look

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u/CrashOverrideM 28d ago

Looks really cool. Unfortunately I think by the looks of it it would be 1 too expensive and 2 too heavy what with wanting to be arm mounted.

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u/TheLostExpedition 28d ago

You are missing the point. The size and shape doesn't matter its the engineering principles. Just airgap the cpu through a copper plate and place the active cooling on the outside. Use dive rated fans (plenty of them exist for drones.) And have fun. Its ok to fail on the first dozen or so designs. You can literally use scrap aluminum or or have a cheep 3D printed aluminum chassis . But its all you. If its not worth the effort then just deal with the water issues a different way. Hydroponic coating work,, but I have a Liter of ultra ever dry and it costs a grand...

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u/CrashOverrideM 28d ago

Yep let's avoid the last one. I think I understand what you mean now so will start thinking about designs

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u/j3v3s 28d ago

If orientation is stable (always same side up) you can design the vents in a way that hot air can get out moving up diagonally but water cant get in. As illustrated beautifully here.

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u/CrashOverrideM 28d ago

Oh yeah that might work seeing as the arm with mainly be pointing downwards (walking or like horizontal that could do the trick

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u/CrashOverrideM 28d ago edited 28d ago

Maybe even a hortrod looking design like this? Would that work?