You sure it isn't overheating? It kinda sounds like it. Maybe you just need to create a better heatsink for this thing.
If you have a multimeter you can check how much current is being pulled. If it's close to 2A then I recommend getting one capable of 3A.
For the unit itself, you want to open it up since the temp inside and directly on the GPU would be the hottest. You can try putting a bigger heatsink on with some artic silver 5 compound or adding a fan to the unit. I don't know how much room is in there.
Best thing would be to install a fan. Can you snap a pic of what this thing looks like and give me measurements of the unit?
If there isn't any room for a fan, you can either install a bigger heatsink or you can mod the case to become the bigger heatsink.
Hi Bill,
Thank you for contacting DVDO. If you have voltmeter perhaps you can monitor the voltage and see if there is drop when the image goes black.
Replacement power supply can be purchased on Amazon here.
Let me know if you have further questions.
Regards,
Ken Nguyen § Support Engineer §
Silicon Image, Inc. § 1140 East Arques Avenue §
Sunnyvale, CA 94085 § USA §
Tel: +1 408-616-4147 § Fax: +1 408-616-6398 §
§ www.dvdo.com §
If it were mine I would drill holes in the top and bottom of the case over the heatsink and put a small 5v fan on the outside of the case or the inside if it can fit. Either way, that thing needs air flowing through it.
Looking at the pic, how far apart are those 4 holes?
The 4 holes are 30mm apart from each other. Is that the heatsink?
Ordered. Thanks! So I should just screw it directly to the heatsink? Those holes do look like the right size. Do you think that's what they're there for?
Do I need washers or some kind of special mounting, or should the fan blades be recessed enough not to touch? Also, should I hook the wires directly to the 6v (6.41v w/ no load) even though the fan is 5v? I assume that's not enough of a difference to cause any concern?
If you install it by cross tightening the 4 corners it should sit flat and the blades shouldn't touch the metal at all. Don't put spacers unless you want to. Tap it from a 5v source. Depending on which wire version you get for the fan, you just need to connect the 5v and ground, the 3rd wire is a speed control that you don't need. With the 3rd wire not connected the fan will run at full speed which is probably what your unit needs.
I would mount the fan on the bottom of the board and have the air move upward so if you drill holes in the case in the top and bottom it should keep everything flowing in the correct direction.
The fan only uses around 0.25A and the unit itself doesn't use close to 7A, more like 3A.
You can tap 5v from the board itself. Don't use 6v if you have a source for 5v.
If it can't fit on the bottom then put it on the top blowing upward. You can always install a switch to turn the fan on and off but you can just tap a 5v source on the board that kicks on when the power button is pressed and the fan will come on at the same time.
You need to use a multimeter to check the voltages inside the unit. The LM317 is a regulator and you can check the output on the middle pin, if it's 5v then tap it there.
So there is no power button, so it's constantly on? No wonder this thing overheats. You can make a small box with a switch that plugs into the back of the unit and has a power socket in back for the power supply.