Automated cabinet cooling

[SpeedBird999]

Hi everyone

Here's my problem: I've got a Mac hooked up inside a cabinet, connected to external monitor and stuff. To prevent overheating, i fitted the cabinet with a couple of Noctua fans. Right now i turn them on by flicking a switch, but it would be real nice to automate the entire thing.
Since I've got them hooked up to an external power brick, a smart plug seemed to me as the cleanest and easiest option.

Those are plentiful and cheap on the market, my problem comes with the "software piece" that should trigger the plug whenever the Mac is awake basically (the goal is to stop the fans by cutting the power when the Mac goes to sleep or is turned off)

I thought of two options:

- Homekit, although i have no idea if there's a trigger "mac is awake" available in it and i have no spare device to set as an hub (i had heard you could do away with the hub under some circumstances)

- IFTTT, although again, i couldn't figure out a way to have an app/script running on the Mac to act as a trigger.

I'm open to any other automation software that could detect the Mac's awake status and trigger the plug...I haven't mentioned Alexa/Google cause voice control is out of the question for me, i might as well tap the switch manually at that point.

 

If anybody could help me, it would be much appreciated!

Thanks everybody

[OhioYJ]

So while I do use smart plugs for various things, I use quite a few "energy saving" power strips around the house for various things as well. Assuming your MAC has enough power draw to properly trip one, it might simplify this whole thing quite a bit for you. Since even my newer TVs work with them, I'm guessing you'll probably be fine, here is an example:

 

APC P8GT 8 Outlets 120V Power-Saving Home/Office SurgeArrest with Phone Protection White

 

For example I use one, on my TV, so when my TV turns off, it kills power to my speakers, the xbox, wii, etc. When the TV comes back on, everything gets power again.

[jaslion]

34 minutes ago, OhioYJ said:

So while I do use smart plugs for various things, I use quite a few "energy saving" power strips around the house for various things as well. Assuming your MAC has enough power draw to properly trip one, it might simplify this whole thing quite a bit for you. Since even my newer TVs work with them, I'm guessing you'll probably be fine, here is an example:

 

APC P8GT 8 Outlets 120V Power-Saving Home/Office SurgeArrest with Phone Protection White

 

For example I use one, on my TV, so when my TV turns off, it kills power to my speakers, the xbox, wii, etc. When the TV comes back on, everything gets power again.

The good old simple approach is often the best :p. That or they use a temp sensor enabled power plug or make a arduino temp sensor thingy that activates the fans.

[SpeedBird999]

12 hours ago, OhioYJ said:

So while I do use smart plugs for various things, I use quite a few "energy saving" power strips around the house for various things as well. Assuming your MAC has enough power draw to properly trip one, it might simplify this whole thing quite a bit for you. Since even my newer TVs work with them, I'm guessing you'll probably be fine, here is an example:

 

APC P8GT 8 Outlets 120V Power-Saving Home/Office SurgeArrest with Phone Protection White

 

For example I use one, on my TV, so when my TV turns off, it kills power to my speakers, the xbox, wii, etc. When the TV comes back on, everything gets power again.

Wow, didn't know this existed. Thanks a lot for suggesting them.

I might try them out, the real issue is that when the Mac goes to sleep his power adapter is still sucking some juice to keep the battery topped up (the smart macOS thing keeps it at around 90% all the time).

Might get one and see how it behaves

[SpeedBird999]

12 hours ago, jaslion said:

The good old simple approach is often the best :p. That or they use a temp sensor enabled power plug or make a arduino temp sensor thingy that activates the fans.

Thanks a lot for suggesting!

I don't want to get involved with Arduino and stuff, didn't really wanna add much cabling and mess to an already messy setup.

But the temperature plug thing seems a real nice idea since keeping the temps down in the cabinet is my primary goal.

Definitely a smart idea, I'm gonna give it a try!

[OhioYJ]

5 hours ago, SpeedBird999 said:

Wow, didn't know this existed. Thanks a lot for suggesting them.

I might try them out, the real issue is that when the Mac goes to sleep his power adapter is still sucking some juice to keep the battery topped up (the smart macOS thing keeps it at around 90% all the time).

Might get one and see how it behaves

 

Yeah, the sleep maybe an issue. However there is two settings on almost all of these, usually they are labeled one PC one labeled Netbook. Basically a high and low sensitivity. So it'll detect higher or lower loads "correctly". 

 

However I will say for it to work with my newest TV correctly I need to disable that mode that makes them turn on faster. (I forget what it's called, it but disabled it just makes sure the TV is actually off when I turn it off).

[SpeedBird999]

1 hour ago, OhioYJ said:

 

Yeah, the sleep maybe an issue. However there is two settings on almost all of these, usually they are labeled one PC one labeled Netbook. Basically a high and low sensitivity. So it'll detect higher or lower loads "correctly". 

 

However I will say for it to work with my newest TV correctly I need to disable that mode that makes them turn on faster. (I forget what it's called, it but disabled it just makes sure the TV is actually off when I turn it off).

Yep, another way i though is to connect the "master" plug that senses power consuption to one of the monitors i have connected to the mac. Afterall, i never use the Mac without the monitors on...so the display would be what turns on and off the fan.

It's proving challenging to find a power strip like the one you suggested here in Europe, but I'm sure i can find it somewhere.