DIY: A Fan-Equipped Mouse For Your Sweaty Gaming Palms
If a console’s controllers have rumble features and motion sensors, PC gamers and MMO fanatics shouldn’t be left behind with innovation. Well this little DIY project could set put something in your mouse to equip it with an upgrade no gaming controller have – a fan. It could either provide cooling to your sweaty palms, tortured from hours of gaming or surfing thru the net. It could also make you feel like you’re feeling the breeze from that MMO you’re currently playing (ok, that’s a stretch).
If you make it to this part, it can only mean two things: 1) You really are interested in doing this project or 2) You don’t give a damn but you’ll do it anyway since you’re way too bored with summer. Either of the two, you’re still here, so I’m compelled to give out the instructions:
First, here’s the list of things you need for this: A computer with a mouse (you’ve guessed we’ll need this one? Boy, you’re pretty bright!); a small DC fan (size depending on how big your mouse is); soldering iron and solder; about 5 inch square wire mesh; screw drivers; modeling paint (if you’re the artsy type); epoxy; small electrical switch; wire cutters; pliers; LEDs (if you’re really bored); Dremel tool; and a multi-meter. Ok, go find them and go back when you have everything.
Hey, I don’t think you have them all yet, well anyway, here’s the step by step process:
1. Using the tools above, pry open your mouse to see what it looks like inside and see how much space you have to work with. This would give you a better idea of how big your fan should be. Also, you should see a few wires attached to a small circuit board somewhere, this is where we’re going to draw power from
The rest of the steps await after the jump!
If a console’s controllers have rumble features and motion sensors, PC gamers and MMO fanatics shouldn’t be left behind with innovation. Well this little DIY project could put something in your mouse to equip it with an upgrade no gaming controller have – a fan. It could either provide cooling to your sweaty palms, tortured from hours of gaming or surfing thru the net or it could make you feel like you’re feeling the breeze from that MMO you’re currently playing (ok, that’s a stretch).
If you make it to this part, it can only mean two things: 1) You really are interested in doing this project or 2) You don’t give a damn but you’ll do it anyway since you’re way too bored with summer. Either of the two, you’re still here, so I’m compelled to give out the instructions:
First, here’s the list of things you need: A computer with a mouse (you’ve guessed we’ll need this one? Boy, you’re pretty bright!); a small DC fan (size depending on how big your mouse is); soldering iron and solder; about 5 inch square wire mesh; screw drivers; modeling paint (if you’re the artsy type); epoxy; small electrical switch; wire cutters; pliers; LEDs (if you’re really bored); Dremel tool; and a multi-meter. Ok, go find them and go back when you have everything.
Hey, I don’t think you have them all yet, well anyway, here’s the step-by-step process:
1. Using the tools above, pry open your mouse to see what it looks like inside and see how much space you have to work with. This would give you a better idea of how big your fan should be. Also, you should see a few wires attached to a small circuit board somewhere, this is where we’re going to draw power from.
2. Once you find the power supply jack try slipping the leads to your fan in the different wire ports to test the power. Remember to do this while the mouse isn’t connected and then connect up the mouse. You might use a multi meter to get the correct voltage for your fan or at least know what the voltage is. Make sure that the fan works.
3. Check if the fan you picked fits the inside of the mouse. Afterwards use the dremel tool to cut a hole in the back plate. Make it big enough for the fan to blow air through, but not big enough for the fan to fit through (you wouldn’t want that to happen believe me). Make sure you can see the blades of the fan completely, otherwise your hole is too small. The next hole you need to make is for the switch. Make the hole along the edge of the case, where the two halves meet; probably somewhere where it won’t bother your hand position.
4. Now for the grill of your fan. Cut a piece of wire mesh (the finer the better) about half an inch on all sides bigger than your fan hole. This gets a little tricky but the best way to do it is to press the mesh into position until it comes through the hole and contours to fit the mouse case. It should be smooth with the outside of the mouse case. Epoxy the mesh wire in place when you are happy with the fit.
5. Installing the the fan – The fan should fit perfectly into the position, but if it doesn’t, fret not, try trimming the fans outer wall down until it fits. Try to fit the fan into position without epoxy and close the case… if it fits you are ready to mount it. Now epoxy the fan into position. Make sure the blades do not hit the mesh or the case, also make sure to manuever the wires out of the way close by the power supply.
6. Hard wire the fan and switch – This can be a bit difficult, ideally you want to solder the wires into position. Use the multi meter to find the right voltage for your fan. A small tipped soldering iron and a soldering stand with holding clips is ideal. Try to use the shortest amount of wire you can to minimize the extra wire you have to stuff in the case which could get in the way of the fan. Include the small switch in series so you can turn it on and off. Any LEDs should be installed now.
7. Close the case – this could be very tricky. Once you get everything inside, the switch lined up, the wires out of the way, you need to epoxy it together. The most important thing is to keep the wires away from the fan. Once it’s closed you won’t be able to move them around too easily. Let the epoxy set completely before testing it to see if it works.
8. Clean up and paint – The epoxy might look bad to you, just take some sand paper to it, and then add some paint, pretty easy.
There you have it, by now you’re either not aware this sentence existed because you gave up halfway to the project, or you’re about to write a comment and thank QJ using a mouse blowing gas to your palm (ugh, I don’t think that sounded right). Just make sure you won’t turn your mouse over, who knows, it just might hover!
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