PHOENIX 0 Posted February 16, 2006 Any issues with installing a dvr in a safe (gun safe)? Custom built gun safe is roughly 36"W x 60"H x 30"D. Safe is sealed with gasket around door and grommets at all locations where cables/wires come into the safe. Would there be a problem with the DVR cooling itself inside a sealed box of this size? This is in indoor safe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thomas 0 Posted February 16, 2006 No method cooling in there? That can be a major problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rory 0 Posted February 16, 2006 Yeah you will need some sought of air. Are there any vents ..? How hot is the room its in? Rory Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VST_Man 1 Posted February 16, 2006 just leave the door open..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PHOENIX 0 Posted February 16, 2006 The safe would be pretty much sealed closed. So no air would circulate in and out of the safe except when the door is open. Could be closed for days. Room temperature doesn't exceed 80 degrees. So the dvr would heat the inside of the safe to a point where it will damage itself? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rory 0 Posted February 16, 2006 yes, the DVR will most likely die after a few hours or days ... the HDD for sure will crash. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasper 0 Posted February 17, 2006 DVR in a gun safe, in this case is not a good idea. It can be done, but what kind of budget do you have to accomplish your goals? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
griffonsystems 0 Posted February 17, 2006 why would you want to put a dvr in the gun safe? am i the only one that thinks this is insane? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasper 0 Posted February 17, 2006 No. I personally think the whole thing is a joke. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSG 0 Posted February 17, 2006 I've installed DVR's in gun safes, its a great idea. If a crook sees cameras, he knows there's a recording device somewhere, just have to find it and steal that too. A weak point in any CCTV system is theft of the Tapes/DVR/recordings, or tampering with the recording device (like dishonest employees). Safes keep the DVR/VCR secured. Haven't had any temperature issues, there is enough air volume inside for the DVR to stay cool. Plus, the steel of the safe naturally conducts heat to the outside. I use a 1" hole saw and a 1/2" electric drill to make a few holes on the side of the safe to run cables in. Most gun safe safes are mild steel about .250" thick or less. You can also use a DVR lockbox provided it is properly anchored to the wall or floor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
securitymonster 0 Posted February 17, 2006 I guess if the safe is large enough and has enough air to circulate, but I'd still stay away from that. Hard Drives like to breathe, and that would probably be the first to go. I get so many people asking me if they can put a DVR in thier gun safe too!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasper 0 Posted February 17, 2006 Does everybody have empty gun safes or what? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rory 0 Posted February 17, 2006 guess you could always put a fan on the HDD like we do down here ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSG 0 Posted February 17, 2006 Actually some gun safes come with a 110v little heater to keep moisture off the guns/prevent rust. The DVR will do that task! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PHOENIX 0 Posted February 17, 2006 I thought it was obvious why I would want to put a dvr in the safe. CSG has it right, if they steal your dvr, whats the point in having it. The problem with allowing vents into the safe is smoke damage during a fire. I dont have enough guns yet to fill a safe this size. But I also keep documents, cameras, jewelery, etc. in the safe. If the safe is vented and the house catches on fire the smoke will get into the safe and ruin most items inside. I live in a city just a block and a half away from the firestation so I am not too concerned about my houses burning to the ground. Im sure the safe could survive just about any fire that will happen here. CSG when you install a dvr in a safe do you keep the holes open? Or do you use grommets or seals? Most safe doors have a plastic looking gasket. Doesn't look like it will seal the door, but during a fire the heat makes the gasket expand and completely seal the door from smoke. Usually if the gasket expands the safe has been exposed to too much heat and you need to get a new safe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasper 0 Posted February 17, 2006 After rereading your post I can see it is a home built safe that is why I made that comment. The guns safes I see are $5000 dollars or more. That's a lot of money to spend to guard a DVR and risk your other valuables that would be inside. In your situation it seems like a good idea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rory 0 Posted February 17, 2006 I still dont see how it will survive if it has no way to breathe .. PC or stand alone .. the HDD's need air. As for protecting it from theft, they make DVR lockboxes with fans in them to circuilate the air, and vents. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kandcorp 0 Posted February 17, 2006 Get one of these: http://www.xoxide.com/nexthermcase.html Build your PC Based DVR w/ minumum Hardware requirements to keep it as cool as possible. Maybe build around an AMD CPU. Either use an external HDD in a cooled enclosure or get one of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835888209 Or maybe if it's in your budget go water cooled!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CollinR 0 Posted February 17, 2006 Venting got you concerned about smoke damage inside? If you have any type of signficant fire you will have mega smoke damage inside the safe. You can probably make it work day to day but if the outside of the safe gets very hot at all it will start retaining heat and quickly smoke the electronics inside. The case with AC probably ain't gunna work either, it is probably good for 20* drop. It's own exhaust will bring the air temps way up to the point where it is rendered ineffective and unless it is super effcient it will create more heat then it dissipates. I would put 2 fans in the bottom of the safe, 1 in and 1 out. use ducting to route the out to the top of the safe. Keep the safe as low as possible and you should be pretty good. Once it hits flashover it almost doesn't matter what you do, it will fry. Water cooling is a valid option but isn't too feasable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kandcorp 0 Posted February 17, 2006 Yea your right collins. Good air circulation is needed no matter what you're going to use. The AC unit would probably end up frying out. Gotta vent, one in one out like collins said. Hey Phoenix, could you give us a link or specs on the safe? Oh, and if your going PC based DVR route try to use SATA HDD's Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CollinR 0 Posted February 17, 2006 If I were to experiment I would do a via epia fanless and a GV250 with an add on heatsink. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PHOENIX 0 Posted February 17, 2006 Safe is homemade. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CollinR 0 Posted February 17, 2006 You haven't described it very well and no pics at all, we'll help but we need more to go on. I could build a safe that fits in the truck of your car or one a semi couldn't move. The design makes a pretty good difference too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasper 0 Posted February 17, 2006 It sounds like you want to protect the DVR more than valuables or against smoke damage. As long as the thing is bolted down and secure drill some ventilation holes it in and the holes required for the cabling. You just want to prevent someone from getting at the DVR basically, right? Your not trying to protect it from fire or smoke also are you? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rory 0 Posted February 17, 2006 Tip: Simple Paint gun at a distance and camera is disabled .. Psst, dont tell the tieves though /// Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
