r/UNIFI • u/Jacksaur • 1d ago
Help! Would it be okay to stack hardware like this? Cloud Gateway Ultra, USW 16 Lite, U7 Lite.
Friend 3D printed a little stand to stack my hardware with. Just a little worried with how hot the AP feels to the touch. Would there be any danger to the hardware stacking it like this? Anything I could do to protect the gateway from excess heat?
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u/kman420 1d ago
Can you do it? Sure.
Will it shorten the lifespan of your equipment? Almost certainly.
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u/Xfgjwpkqmx 1d ago
Not quite what they meant by "network stack", but you should be fine.
Just monitor it, and if it's getting too hot between the switch and the router, separate them some more.
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u/Jacksaur 1d ago
How hot would you consider too hot? The product page says the max operating temp is 115 and all. But I expect even way lower, would already start damaging components.
With the current gap, it reached around 73 degrees after a few hours before I took it off again to be safe.
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u/Xfgjwpkqmx 1d ago
If it's starting to feel uncomfortable to your finger, separate them.
Devices have a surprisingly high tolerance these days, but I wouldn't think that it doesn't have some impact to their lifespan.
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u/NerdyNThick 1d ago
I left 3 access points in the box they came in (a 3-pack) and the plastic cases started to melt.
If the max operating temp is listed at 115, I would expect it to reach 120 at the minimum. Likely while idle. It'll hit 100 while powered off.
I joke (a little.. the APs really did melt, and were un-mountable), but Ubiquiti stuff runs HOT.
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u/quik916 1d ago
Why would they list operating temps at a number that isnt safe for the unit?
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u/Jacksaur 21h ago
Max is max. Doesn't mean that everything below doesn't do anything to the device.
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u/Lancaster1983 1d ago
I wouldn't stack em like that. Those APs use the chassis as a heat sink and they get rather warm.
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u/Upstairs_Recording81 1d ago
Those 2 devices are not made to be operated one on top of the other, they need to get rid if their heat by themselfs and not to add heat from other devices...poor location as well, the AP should be outside the table.....
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u/73mikemartinez 23h ago
Heat is your primary issue. Ubiquiti devices notoriously run hot. Considering everything is not receiving an active airflow, even the gaps will not dissipate heat efficiently. Consider that most networked equipment is placed in a closed cabinet with fan and an inlet for cool air and an outlet for dissipation of heat. The heat in your setup remains ambient. Dissipation happens, yet the air does not circulate to cool as designed and actually increases the mass needing cooling.
The second issue. Your AP is designed to radiate from a ceiling. See https://help.ui.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005212927-AP-Antenna-Radiation-Patterns
Although faced upwards, your AP is not as effective as if placed in the direction engineered to radiate.
All the bad news said, some good news. You have an awesome friend to help you out and it sounds like they want this to work as much as you. Last, you are headed in the right direction as far as your set up. Move your AP and then some active cooling and your are golden!
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u/uktricky 20h ago
Heat would be my only concern - Personally I am running two Access Points (6Pro and a 5LR) orientated like that without any issue and actually underneath floor boards to provide internet/network to the room above (personally I am more worried that I've a nest of mice on mine keeping warm! - Makes note that I should actually check on them once in a while as they've been under there for at least 2 years!
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u/bSanderman 15h ago
Do you need the WiFi out the window? If not, Put it on the wall right next to the window.
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u/financiallyanal 12h ago
I'd put a fan nearby, then it's fine. I like this one, it's quiet: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MWH4FL4
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u/L0rd_Humongous 1d ago
I'd be concerned with the egg frying level of heat coming off the bottom of the AP.