F48 Running hot

[Oderbang]

Just received my F48 v4 and running it on 12v supply (currently reading 12.5v) 
its running on my bench so not enclosed and the temperature keeps creeping up over course of about 5 minuets got to 59*C so I shut it down.
There is nothing else at this point plugged in apart from a network cable (hence i can see the temp)

The board is hot to the touch and the resistors on the back of the Pixel ports are getting warm also.
Is this something i should be concerned about.. what should this board temp run at on 12v ?

I have upgraded firmware to Rev 5.
I notice there is a fan header so im guessing heat was an issue ?

[JonD]

138*F does seem a tad warm.   I have a couple V3s running (not the F48 version) and they are running 100*F (38*C).  I usually get concerned with any electronics running over 120*F (48*C) in general.  If someone does not jump in and tell you that is okay, I think I would leave it off and reach out to support.

[k6ccc]

As I understand it, there is a voltage selection switch.  5V vs 7-13 (as I understand it).  Do you have that in the correct position?

[JonD]

As I understand it, there is a voltage selection switch.  5V vs 7-13 (as I understand it).  Do you have that in the correct position?

That was a good suggestion.  I have seen a bad power supply cause boards to overheat, even when the output reads fine on a meter.  I see that more in POE devices, but if you have another one laying around might be worth a shot to swap it in.  Are you using a Meanwell power supply to power the board?

[Poporacer]

Dave Pitts responded in another post that the F48 when run on 12V does run a little hot, but what it too hot? IDK. About the only reason you would need 12V on the F48 is if you are going to connect 12V pixels directly to the F48 on the local ports. Otherwise you should use a 5V power supply.

[aknflyer]

I have the earlier F48 plain. It is unenclosed and has been running for a year. Currently at 44C or 111F. I do have it running on a 5vdc din rail power supply.
On a side note: Voltage regulators work to regulate the voltage, when the input is significantly higher than the output voltage, the regulator burns off the excess voltage as heat.
This is probably your main cause of the excess heat.

[JonD]

This could be expected and the board might have been designed to handle a warmer temp.  138*F/59*C could be well within limits.  In general anything over 120*F/48*C you should probably confirm with specs or support that it is an acceptable temp.  Most electronic boards will start to breakdown over 120*F/48*C.  May not happen right away, but it will shorten the life span over time.  If they knew it was going to get hot and designed it to withstand the heat, it would not be a big deal.  I know one of the new features was temperature adjusting fans, so they might be expecting you to connect a fan to cool it down as well. 

With no temperature specs or manual posted, I would reach out to support just to be safe.

[Oderbang]

Thanks all. i have put it down to 5v and going to use just dif boards thanks again

[Christmasdisplay100]

Where on all the v3 type and v4 type F4v3 f16v3 f48v3 f16v4 and f48v3 would. You connect the fan is there a specific port on board the Controllers where its designed to tun an external cooling fan

[k6ccc]

Where on all the v3 type and v4 type F4v3 f16v3 f48v3 f16v4 and f48v3 would. You connect the fan is there a specific port on board the Controllers where its designed to tun an external cooling fan

First of all, please read what you type before you hit "Post".  I had to read this several times before I THINK I know what you are asking - grammar matters.  I think you are asking if there is a specific place to connect a fan on the Falcon controllers.  If that is your question, the answer is yes (at least on the F16v3 that I have).  I assume the others do as well.

[CaCtus491]

For reference, my shiny new F48V4 seems to sit around 46°C for the board and 43°C for the CPU (according to the OLED display) laying bare on my desk with an ambient temperature of ~24°C. This is powered from 5V. Interesting that most of the heat seems to come from the part of the board with the RJ45 ports to the smart receivers rather than the processor.

[pixelpuppy]

Interesting that most of the heat seems to come from the part of the board with the RJ45 ports to the smart receivers

Yep, the RS485 differential drivers use a fair amount of power in order to send the signal long distances.  Its also why the Differential Expansion boards need their own power supply even though they don't power any pixels directly.