Overheating Mecool M8s Pro L and Pro + (and others ?) - Options ???

[P.X]

P.X item #272991685637

Nice - Thanks for that.


Good value for a branded item.

[Johnnyproduce]

It wasn't name brand as pictured though. Pretty sure that's the reason I paid a few cents extra for it. The box is a M8S pro L. Running the Nexus Rom. I had drilled lots of holes and replaced the heatsink. Thought that would be enough but it wasn't. I found random screws and put it on the top as an exhaust fan. I ran a stress test and it went as high as 107F. A shame this box comes from the factory with heat issues. Despite the lack of usb ports even more so now, it's my favorite tv box.

[P.X]

It wasn't name brand as pictured though. Pretty sure that's the reason I paid a few cents extra for it. The box is a M8S pro L. Running the Nexus Rom. I had drilled lots of holes and replaced the heatsink. Thought that would be enough but it wasn't. I found random screws and put it on the top as an exhaust fan. I ran a stress test and it went as high as 107F. A shame this box comes from the factory with heat issues. Despite the lack of usb ports even more so now, it's my favorite tv box.

Hi,

Thanks for the info.
May be the same fan as branded but just direct from factory without the label ? Maybe ??

Nice fan for the price and good to know one that works on 5V

You could run the cable inside and take the 5V from USB pins on the underside of the board to save using the port up.

My fave box too - even better now that I know the USB ports switch off - I'm sure they didn't before ???
30mm Pi Fan is just a little noisy at 5V though.

Thanks,
Pete

[mirbg]

My favourite Passive and Active solutions as of ... Now!

Video

37x37x24 Heatsink E Item - 401331528986
40x40x11 Heatsink E Item - 292062678333
30mm Pi Fan - E Item - 222616196610

38mm Hole and a great chimney effect


30mm Fan + 40x40x11mm Heatsink - 38mm Hole in Lid - cut corners of fan to a step, half height of fan.
Holds Fan in case and presses down Heatsink nicely - can use MX2 paste not glue.


Stealth Fan - 30mm Pi fan fits inside case with Std. HS
2mm Foam pads give a gap for air circulation
Add a 30mm hole if you want the best cooling from this combo


The big three - 40x40x11 hiding in the back

You've done a great job! I really liked the mod with "chimney effect"! I myself am really in deep consideration to change from active cooling to this one on my PRO, but I am not sure if the temp will stay below 70C this way...

[P.X]

Should do !
Flat out in StressCPU mine got to 76°C
See first post (mislabelled as 38x38x20) graph

[P.X]

Improved Pi Fan Mod

40x40x11mm Heatsink
30mm Pi Fan
33ohm Resistor

Changed power supply to 5V from USB (How did I get it wrong ? Thinking that it wasn't switched ???)
Power Feed from underside of board USB Pin +ve
Route through 33ohm resistor for 3.3V (ref. my fan - your fan may vary)
Added direct feed to switch for Full Power if needed

[mirbg]

Temp results?
Looks promising!

[P.X]

Temp results?
Looks promising!

Should be the same, or very similar, to 3.3V supply as tested before.
Just did it to avoid the noise of running at 5V and get the auto-off capability.
Idles and plays 720p video nice and cool.

EDIT:
Tested
Full Power Stress CPU ~ 48°C Fan @ 3.3V Silent (+Cu Plate)
Kodi 4K @60Hz ~ 43°C
SPMC 1080p @60Hz ~ 38°C

[P.X]

Close-up Power Points !

Note: Lots of 0V points - e.g. metal port shrouds !!

Topside - Click for Larger



Underside - Click for Larger

[clarkss12]

Close-up Power Points !

Note: Lots of 0V points - e.g. metal port shrouds !!

Topside - Click for Larger



Underside - Click for Larger

Thanks for the pics.

[Flo90]

Hi, if i Don't modify my m8s pro L, 1080p iptv run laggy or smooth ? Thanks.

[mirbg]

Hi, if i Don't modify my m8s pro L, 1080p iptv run laggy or smooth ? Thanks.

Smooth. You will face problems only in 4K/60fps

[Flo90]

Thanks !

[P.X]

Further Info - 30mm Fans

I have a Sunon Maglev 30mm fan to try out (£3.50 on The Bay) - Probably not worth the extra money compared to a £1 Pi Fan as the Pi fan is running well below max when at 3.3V so very little bearing wear (probably).

Maglev
30mm Sunon Maglev - Runs VERY fast at 5V and quite noisy.

Resistance 42 Ohm at 5V using R=V/I (I=120mA, V=5.05)

Series Resistor Tests
Direct = 120mA - Noisy
33 Ohm = 75mA - Noise
50 Ohm = 62mA - Slight Noise
62 Ohm = 54mA - Silent
100 Ohm = 38mA - Really Silent (even a 6 inches !)

I think I'll try 62 Ohm - I like silence !

Good thing about the Maglev seems to be that it will still run when considerably under nominal voltage (Series - 100 Ohm=1.25V)
- Std. DC fans refuse to spin-up when below their threshold voltage !!

[steel120]

To all:

Thanks for the nice thread. I modified my M8S Pro -w just recently.

I have posted it under the M8S Pro -w with voice with photo's and some reported Temperatures.
I used the 30mm x 30mm Pi fan also. Connected to the USB +- direct soldered.

I just received the M8S Pro -L with voice and for a temp solution.
80mm x80mm 12vdc fan with a usb plug...plugged directly into usb port.
Blowing in from the bottom. Temperatures seem to be max of 50-51C no matter what stream
Idle is about 40-43C.

I will modify the - L like I did on the -W after some burn in time of the L.