Heating a facility box in winter time.

[Ioannis]

I have a metal box with some electronics inside.

This boxis going o be placed in a place where in winter temp. can be very low.

The volume of the box is about 2 liters and I want to calculate how much energy is going to be needed for the internat temperature not be below say of 5 degrees when the outside may be -20 Celsius.

A big heatsink with a power transistor is the possible solution the heat the box, but how many watts are needed to do that in relation to the temperatures?

Ioannis

[Acetronics2]

Hi, Ioannis

Some more info are necessary ...

- box placed in an open place ??? ( rain or snow can cover it ???)
- box vertical or Horizontal ( I or __ )
- put on a shelf ???
- is there "wind" around ( forced convection ? )

not so simple a Thermal convection problem ...

Alain

PS: Title is a French Humorist ( Fernand Reynaud ) Well known BIG success of the 70's ...

[Ioannis]

Hi Alain.

Thanks for the reply. Well, the box is in the open space but protected from rain/snow.

It will be in vertical position so the heat sink is going to be place on the bottom.

Mounted on a wall.

As it is in the open, I intent to put some insulation on the inner walls of the box.

Sure is not easy problem...

Ioannis

[Acetronics2]

LOL ...

I just forgot to ask for the main data : your box dimensions !!!

Alain

[Ioannis]

About 2 lt. Exact dimensions are to be determined.

Ioannis

[Acetronics2]

...

they are needed ...

Even approximative ( 10 cm , 50 cm , 2 meters ??? ) just to fix the power range ...

Alain

[Ioannis]

OK. 30x40x25 will be close enough.

Thanks, Ioannis