Clearances required for cooling - Sony KDF-60XS955

RJB · #1 08-05-2005, 06:24 PM

Silly question here but the folks at Sony were no help at all on this.

My built in cabinets were delivered wrong so some have to be rebuild and I am trying to get some firm information on ventilation & cooling requirements.

The Sony manual says not to install the TV in enclosed or built-in cabinets unless "proper ventilation is provided". That's really helpful..

Nowhere in the manual or on the Sony site does it give minimum clearances required for proper cooling.

Anyone have any experience and or suggestions in this regard? I know for sure that lots of folks around here have done built-ins for their home theatre set-ups so any words of wisdom will be appreciated.

I have even though of installing an extra fan in the enclosure if that's what it takes...

jaxvon · #2 08-05-2005, 06:26 PM

I would pick up some low-noise fans and install them in the cabinet. They aren't very expensive and would help you move some air through the enclosure.

RJB · #3 08-05-2005, 06:33 PM

That was fast...2 minutes!

Thanks, I was kind of suspecting I would end up doing that...

Not my first choice but it beats the crap out of replacing bulbs once or twice a year...

jaxvon · #4 08-05-2005, 06:49 PM

If you shop around, you can find fans that will be basically silent. Panaflow (made by Panasonic) fans are great at pushing quite a bit of air without a ton of noise, due to their special bearings and blade shape. I'm not sure if they make AC models though.

Do you plan on putting an HTPC in your case? If you do, you can just run a power connector out from the case to a standard Panaflow DC fan, or get a power supply with a molex connector on the back.

Also, you can always install a rheostat switch so you can adjust the speed and noise level of your fans.

RJB · #5 08-05-2005, 07:01 PM

Yea, I was going to use a Panasonic fan. I'm in the computer support business so I always have a few power supplies & quality fans hanging around. I may even use 2...

BMXTRIX · #6 08-05-2005, 09:21 PM

Technically you need zero clearance, you just need airflow. Something that both brings cool air into the space and around the display and something that pulls warm air out of the space and display.

You also might want to keep in mind what your options will be if the display fails and there are no new displays that fit the built in exactly. Perhaps consider some versatility of the design of the built in to allow for different sized displays (give or take about 5 inches height/width).

Fans are the least I would do, but I would also recommend that you check the temperature the first few times you use it behind the display so you can see how effective the fans are moving the air in there. They have got to vent to outside the built in, not just into another cabinet as the air won't have anywhere to really go or come from.

RJB · #7 08-07-2005, 03:57 PM

BMXTRIX, I agree the real issue is cool air in & hot air out, not the actual clearance. That's my plan for 2 fans...

I figure that with an opening that's 66 inches wide, even if this new TV craps out I should be OK for space. The replacement, when the time comes, will in all probability be a plasma unit or a projection one that doesn't have speakers already attached to the sides.

Only time will tell...

Until then...where did I put that keyhole saw???

Thanks for your comments!

BMXTRIX · #8 08-07-2005, 07:23 PM

One of the best setups I have seen for a built in had a fairly large opening for height, width, and depth. They installed a CRT rear projection unit in the space, then had a faceplate put onto it. It was custom matched to the rest of the built in, but it just clicked into place over the front of the entire television. Only the screen shined through. Very, very trick, plus if (when) the TV fails, they can get almost any new one they want and have a new face plate cut exactly for their new set.

Just a cool idea for built ins that I have only seen once and will remember forever.