I’m not sure if this is the right place to share my experience, but since I won’t be using the new Wi-Fi 7 module anytime soon, I created a case with a 3D printer, just to house the router itself and perhaps a simple m2 Wi-Fi 6E module and a cellular module maybe.
The idea behind the design is to use a single 90mm fan to reduce noise (a larger fan = fewer RPMs to achieve same airflow).
The fan blows directly onto the CPU heatsink and much of the SFP+ cage, leaving (intentionally) more space around the SFP+ cage for airflow to exit around the port, attempting to dissipate the heat from the SFP module.
The only drawback I want to point out is that, with the current limitations of 3D printing and my design skills, I wasn’t able to gain direct access to the bottom M2 NVMe slot. So, you’ll need to disassemble it to add/replace storage, if you use it.
Here are some photos/videos of my work. Any comments/suggestions on how to improve are welcome
This is my design based on a couple of suggestion comes from other BPI users , not yet shared/posted on any “printables” portal.
I’ll try to figure out how to make the nvme slot accessible keeping the concept of mesh bottom to dissipate heat (I noice that also the bottom part of the boards tend to becomes hot as well)
I also decided to make my own case — I printed a prototype yesterday, but since I plan to use SFP modules that generate a lot of heat, I decided to add two 80×80×25 fans.
This match almost perfect my design and need. Please just make the mounting holes for the 92mm fan on top, and even not that circular cut out but something that allow more ariflow like a sqaure mesh pattern or hexagon style, since we we’ll put dust filter anyway, so more open space are welcome
Oh, that’s very cool, I just have a 10’ rack and I really need it so I don’t have to print on a 3D printer. Can you tell me the approximate release date?
Good job, I’ve also almost completed my version for the 10’ rack. As soon as I test it, I will make it publicly available.
I also wrote about the white briefcase, they said it was out of stock and they would write
I placed an Artic slim fan blowing on top - that one conveniently comes with a splitted connector so I could connect the side blower as well.
I also have assembled the big official sink for the BE14, the one without the fan. Is it… satisfyingly big.
I guess the version with the fan is aimed at the upcoming BE14 v1.1 - I’m hoping that the new BE14 will have a fan header in the top side (I guess the pins are already there, they can be seen in the picture above, but not soldered to a header) so the board can control the fan indipendently from the main.
When you close it down, wifi and LTE, it looks like this:
(yes, I admit I moved the LTE antennas in the middle just for aesthetic purposes… )
ATM I would call myself satisfied even if the whole thing is on the “big” side.
I’ve seen many interesting 3d models in this thread that I would have wanted to use but none accounts for 10 antennas…
with a 92 mm slim fan! This is perfect for ppl not willing to use be19 Wi-Fi cards or router only.
