The Complete Solution For Thomson Sky+ Boxes
I was developing a cheaper kit for this box but this did not keep the box cool enough. Therefore I have started making the original kit again. I will only build them to order so please contact me first BEFORE you buy. Thanks.
The fan noise from a Thomson box can be terrible. However the fan only cools the hard drive. The power supply doesn't have any cooling fan and now there is alot of Thomson power supplies failing. Heat is affecting the capacitors. Now whether the capacitors were not up to standard in the first place I don't know but keeping the power supply cool can only help.
However if you are fitting the fan kit it would be a good idea to upgrade your power supply at the same time as they are failling at an alarming rate. You can get a £1 discount Voucher to use at SATCURE by clicking HERE
It has took many months but the solution is finally here. In the kit you will get the controller AND a new fan. The fan is still operated by the temperature inside the box and the speed of the fan can still be controlled for less noise. The fan comes with a mounting bracket to place the fan in the middle of the box. This will create air movement cooling the power supply and the hard drive expelling the hot air out under and out the side of the box. Installation is detailed below. However this solution is dearer than the other boxes as a new fan and bracket is supplied and the extra time in making this new kit. The complete cost including the controller, fan and bracket is £42 + £3 P&P. It is still good value as a new original fan can cost upto £20 from a satellite spares shop and it will run all the time!
This kit will be only be available in limited numbers.
Installation of Fan Controller And Fan in Thomson Sky+ box.
Tools required - Philips and small slotted screwdriver
Hairdryer
Installation is easy if you follow the steps below. No soldering is required and the kit can be removed and installed in another Thomson box if required.
This is the internal layout and where to place the fan and controller.
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First is to remove the hatch at the back of the Sky+ box with a philips screwdriver.
This is the hatch completely removed.
First feed the power cable for the controller though the hatch.
Then line up the controller so that it slides in-between the rails of the slot.
Next we install the fan. It is already mounted on its bracket. Notice the hole in the bracket. This hole lines up with a protrusion in the black plastic underneath. This will hold it in place. I have also enclosed a piece of double sided tape. This can be placed under the bracket to stick it to the grey plastic at the front to make it more secure.
Now we must connect the fan to the controller. I would have connected this myself but unfortunately the fan and bracket won't fit through the slot!
Marked on the controller is the fan connections labelled + FAN --.
Connect the red wire to +
Connect the BLACK wire with red stripe to --
Now slide the controller fully home.
IMPORTANT BEND THE SENSOR (BLUE BLOB ON END OF BLACK WIRES) AT A RIGHT ANGLE SO THAT IT IS POINTING IN THE AIR AS BELOW
This is the postition of the sensor when you bend it upright. This photo was taken outside the box as it was hard to get a good shot when it was in the box.
Now we turn our attention to powering the fan controller and fan. This is the hard drive power connection. Reach in and remove it. It may be tight and watch your fingers on the metal case at the front ( i've got the scar to prove it ! )
Now plug the fan controller power cable to the hard drive cable. It will be labelled 'C'.
Now plug 'D' into the back of the hard drive.
This is the cable 'D' connected to the back of the hard drive.
Nearly finished. All you have to do now is remove the power going to the original fan by removing this plug.
This plug is the one beside the hard drive connector on the main board.
The hard drive connector was removed to take this photo as it was in the way.
Replace hatch at back of box and you're done!