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Xbox 360 Power Supply Blamed for Arkansas House Fire

Posted by timothy on from the when-burning-in-hell-is-just-too-late dept.

Beryllium writes "In Arkansas, an XBox 360's power supply (or power cord, the story is a bit ambiguous) apparently caused a fire with over $10,000 in damages. The fire chief says that it was probably due to the power supply unit being crammed into a space that had poor air circulation. The previously-documented heat issues with 360s led me to buy 'Andy', an affordable IKEA wireframe stand for my gaming system — with drawers! Since I've also got the power supply inside one of the unit's drawers, it should have more than adequate airflow to dissipate heat. I wonder what other airflow-improving ideas Slashdotters have come up with for their consoles?"

9 of 89 comments (clear)

  1. Huh? by What+Would+NPH+Do · · Score: 2, Informative

    The fire chief says that it was probably due to the power supply unit being crammed into a space that had poor air circulation. Did the submitter even read their own summary before writing their title? It clearly is said that the problem was due to the person putting the PSU into a space with poor air circulation which is clearly against the instructions given by Microsoft with respect to the PSU.
    1. Re:Huh? by What+Would+NPH+Do · · Score: 2, Informative

      Explicit instructions, I mean.

    2. Re:Huh? by OMNIpotusCOM · · Score: 2, Informative

      It's like page 3. Do you need Cliffs Notes for the guide? You dropped $400 or so on it, you expect to get years of use out of it... don't you think you'd peruse the manual, or just the fact that it is one of the biggest power bricks in existence and has a fan on it isn't enough of a hint?

    3. Re:Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      The problem is that manuals have so many bullshit precautions that nobody bothers to read them. (What? You mean I shouldn't drop my Xbox on a baby? Now what am I supposed to do with it?)

    4. Re:Huh? by wjsteele · · Score: 2, Informative

      "How many other media devices out there require a PSU with a cooling fan? anything can someone name me more than 1?"

      My Tivo does AND my Media Center PC does.

      Come to think of it, so does every home computer I have ever owned!!! It's just that the Power Supply is IN the computer. The XBox designers decided to move it out of the unit.

      Bill

      --
      It's my Sig and you can't have it. Mine! All Mine!
  2. Re:My solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    What I actually do, is leave WiiConnect on, so that the news and weather channels still work, but when I turn it off, I hold down the power button for 5 seconds so that it actually turns off.
    Sweet! Wish I had modpoints.
  3. Re:Are you sure...? by OMNIpotusCOM · · Score: 3, Informative

    From the XBox 360 Manual

    Failure to properly set up, use, and care for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system can increase the risk of serious injury or death, or damage to the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system

    Do not block any ventilation openings on the console or power supply. Do not place the console or power supply on a bed, sofa, or other soft surface that may block ventilation openings. Do not place the console or power supply in a confined space, such as a bookcase, rack, or stereo cabinet, unless the space is well ventilated.

    From the Amazon description of power cables

    Features: Internal cooling fan
  4. Re:My solution by Sangui · · Score: 2, Informative

    You should update your Wii's firmware to at least 3.1
    They fixed the whole "fans turn off in standby" thing.

  5. Re:Are you sure...? by enosys · · Score: 3, Informative

    There should be protective devices inside which prevent a fire even in those conditions. For example simple transformer based wall warts have an overtemperature protector inside the transformer windings. I thought such protection was necessary to get UL certification.