Airport Base Station (ABS) — Heat Buildup Solution
The Apple ABS or 802.11b access point has a sealed plastic case, making heat dissipation poor at best. Here’s my simple solution to the heat build–up problem. All you will need for tools is a medium Philips screwdriver. No drilling is required and the end result isn’t too horrible to look at. Also, it’s simple to restore the ABS to its original state. Note that this procedure voids the warrantee, but you knew that. ;-)
- First, simply disconnect the device from its power supply, network and phone connections.
- Then, turn the device upside down and unscrew the three screws holding the case together.
- Lift off the top half of the case.
- Gently (it’s a plastic case, after all) re–thread the screws into the top half of the case and screw them in. They should protrude from the case about 1/4 inch…see Figure 2 below.
- Lay the top half of the case onto the bottom half. The protruding screws will prevent the upper and lower halves from sealing. This leaves a gap along the circumference and at the top of the case where the connector plate mates with the upper half of the case.
- Plug all connections back in and test for proper operation.
That’s it, you’re done!
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Figure 1 — My base station…notice the gap between the top and bottom of the case.
Figure 2— Detail showing the screw that normally passes through the lower half of the case.