Robot having internal heat problem

[lukevanoort]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

I don't know what size your motors are but if they are standard hobby RC car size you could try something like this with a small electric pump and tank. Do you have a picture of this robot?

EDIT: Actually, isn't there a way to make a fluid flow through a small cooling system just by using the heat (no pump required)? I think I've heard of that before, but I don't remember the details.

Unfortunately, that'll only get it down to ambient temperature unless you use an active cooling method. For that, you need some sort of refrigeration, most units are much too heavy/power hungry, the only thing that I can think of that could do it is a Peltier junction. These are nifty little ceramic (I think) blocks that get hot on one side, cold on the other when you run current through them. Then you have to worry about condensation. Peltiers could instead be used with fans to help reduce the temperature below ambient. I don't know where you could get one though, but they used to be popular with the extreme case-mod/water-cooling crowd so there probably is a place to acquire them. Most will probably be in the 12VDC area, but power consumption is pretty low, (if I remember correctly) 10 NiCd AAAs could probably power it and the robot, NiMHs would be even better. (less toxic) The Robot Marketplace has customizable battery packs you could use.