A/V Cooling fans question??

[Bodymechanic]

Hi and thanks for reading this one.

I have installed a rack-mounted set of cooling fans behind my Yammy v2500. Look Here They truly are amazing. Receiver barely feels warm to the touch after hours of hard use. They are a tad noisier than I'd like, however. I'm wondering if there is a way to slow them down some. They work great but are a bit overkill maybe for my actual needs. Both fans have individual AC plugs that I have powered by the timed outlets in my power conditioner. The receiver powers up then about a min later the fans spool up.

Also, any ideas about a separate way to trigger them or swith them on/off when needed? Barring any rewiring of outlets etc...

Any suggestions would be warmly welcomed.

Thank you and best regards

 

[jaxvon]

I think something like this would work, though I'm not sure how much you would have to spend on a controller. Maybe shoot smarthome an e-mail.

 

[RLA]

Hi Guys
DIY is cool But I am just wondering by the time you acquire the fans and all the parts to make a good cooling rig if this might be a better alternative. I have used these and can say they work very well, are very quite do not introduce interference into the system and take up little rack space. List is about $129 but street is much less
I am not really sure how much the DIY route would be for quality parts.
http://www.activethermal.com/Cool-It_II.htm

 

[Mudcat]

I used a about a fourteen 24 vdc muffin fans paired two per amp (two for each of 6 Alesis amps, and two for the Yamaha RX-V1400) in my system. I also placed a thin foam cover over the top slot where there are no fans to act as an air filter.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2380

I run them at 12 vdc and they are extremely quiet. I build a seperate power supply with switches for each pair. Amps stay cool, of course the Alesis amps I use do not have fans anyway, but they definitely run cooler.

Total cost (not including the power supply and switches) was about $30. About $120 including power supply and switches and everything else that went into this phase of my rack.

 

[Bodymechanic]

Mudcat

Thank you for all the responses. I sure appreciate the input. Mudcat: Any chance you have some pics of your setup?? Sounds interesting, especially the seperate power supply and switching you setup.

Thanks,

BM

 

[claudermilk]

I just got a 120mm AC fan and pigtail plug from Radio Shack. I have the fan plugged into the switched AC on the receiver so the fan turns on & off with it. I'll have to take a look at that Cool-It one as even the big slow fan makes noise. The downside is a $100 cost difference.

 

[Mr. Lamb Fries]

I think something like this would work, though I'm not sure how much you would have to spend on a controller. Maybe shoot smarthome an e-mail.

You can get a similar outlet shown in jaxvon's link but with a dimmer switch (No remote). usually used to control brightnss of lights it controls the current going to the device. you can pick one up at home depot or lows for under $20.00. I would try this and see if it works.

heres a link to something that may work. I dont know if it is compatable but this can give you an idea of what im talking about. If this wont work, Something similar would be an inexpensive option.

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc/searchResults.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@1755882571.1124982311@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccladdfhmjjikecgelceffdfgidgjj.0&MID=9876

 

[Ax-man]

Hi Guys
DIY is cool But I am just wondering by the time you acquire the fans and all the parts to make a good cooling rig if this might be a better alternative. I have used these and can say they work very well, are very quite do not introduce interference into the system and take up little rack space. List is about $129 but street is much less
I am not really sure how much the DIY route would be for quality parts.
http://www.activethermal.com/Cool-It_II.htm

Quote from the Activethermal site:

A soothing stream of cool air quietly flows down and between the heat sink fins lowering the temperature to more tolerable levels.

I always thought the idea of cooling componets was to suck air up through the top of the unit rather than blowing air down through it...is that right?

 

[mulester7]

I always thought the idea of cooling componets was to suck air up through the top of the unit rather than blowing air down through it...is that right?

.....Ax-Man, as pictured in RLA's post above, air taken from outside the enclosure/case and blown down directly on the heat sinks inside is the most effective....a comparison would be your sitting 2 feet behind a fan, or your sitting 2 feet in front of a fan....slave amps that have a fan, finds the fan on the back panel blowing directly on the heat sinks inside, which are located in the back area of the enclosure/case......

 

[WndrBr3d]

I'm curious as to the demand for such a device, because I have a prototype of something I've built at home which fits on any standard component size device that uses confection cooling and creates a vacuum on top of it, sucking cool air in the from the bottom and pushing it out a back 'exhaust'.

How much would you guys be willing to pay for a rig like this?

Should there be several versions? Perhaps two, one with a single 120mm fan, and a 'Pro' version with 2+ ?

Curious on your thoughts. What features would you want? A Front LCD reading the current temperature of air coming in? Fan RPM?

 

[Mr. Lamb Fries]

I'm curious as to the demand for such a device, because I have a prototype of something I've built at home which fits on any standard component size device that uses confection cooling and creates a vacuum on top of it, sucking cool air in the from the bottom and pushing it out a back 'exhaust'.

How much would you guys be willing to pay for a rig like this?

Should there be several versions? Perhaps two, one with a single 120mm fan, and a 'Pro' version with 2+ ?

Curious on your thoughts. What features would you want? A Front LCD reading the current temperature of air coming in? Fan RPM?

This is something I am currently looking for. Ive seen a bunch of similar products on e-bay but either they are no more than a pc fan with an outlet adaptor, or they are WAY over priced. I have a HK ARV 7200 and it gets HOT!

I have cut and taped together some hard plastic to create a covering with a few inches of clearance and an exaust vent that leads to a fan. there is about two inches of opening in the front of the heat vents to allow fresh air to come in. this seems to work but the exaust fan that is drawing the air out of the unit runs a little loud. This is my concern. Also, the whole contraption is a little "Earl Shibe" looking. (no one else would notice but I am a neat freak and it bugs the $H#T out of me)

To answer your questions, I would pay $30 bucks or so for something like this. No need for LCD but I would want it to be as quiet as possible.

Actually, a temp control would be cool if you can get it to come on when it hits a certain temp...just a thought

 

[j_garcia]

I'm curious as to the demand for such a device, because I have a prototype of something I've built at home which fits on any standard component size device that uses confection cooling and creates a vacuum on top of it, sucking cool air in the from the bottom and pushing it out a back 'exhaust'.

No thanks, I don't want any sugar cooling on my amps

I think it's not a bad idea actually, except that you couldn't really do the "enclosed" thing. That would mean the receiver would heat up faster and the fan would be on most or all of the time if using a temp driven function.

Receivers are already designed to do their own convection cooling. As heat rises off the heatsink, cool air is also drawn in from the side/bottom.

 

[Bodymechanic]

Fixed!

I fixed the issue:

Found a wireless, remote controlled, RF outlet that plugs into an existing outlet for $12 at Lowes. I bought an 8ft 13amp, grounded extension-cord and wired it into the remote outlet to get it hidden exactly where I wanted it. I plugged the fans into it and Voila! It's completely hidden. The remote control is small, like a large key-fob really. It works so well I can turn the fans off/on from the backyard. The total cost of this solution ~ $20.

I couldn't be happier unless it was temperature triggered

 

[ghammerle]

Sucking air out into a fireplace cavinty????

My componets sit basically in a recessed area to the left of a fireplace and completely hidden. I am having heat problems and was thinking about cutting a 4" hole in the cabinet and blowing it up into the fireplace cavity. It is a wood burning fireplace and I just don't really know if that cavity gets too hot. I could blow it directly outside but then I would have to take all my crap out and chisel through brick probably about 8 hour project. What should I do? Any fireplace experts out there?

 

[Stoner51]

this was my solution. bought one controller and 3 fans plugged the controller into the rec so it comes on when I turn rec on. Just mounted the fans in the back. Controller has a control knob for speed. Downside is it cost 75 with shipping and some time to DIY.
controller: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5931/bus-101/SilenX_4_Channel_Fan_Controller_w_ACDC_Adapter_IXA-FCEX.html?id=m9YgYqPQ&mv_pc=138
3 fans: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/6439/fan-376/Scythe_Ultra_Kaze_120_x_38mm_Fan_-_1000_RPM_DFS123812L-1000.html?id=m9YgYqPQ&mv_pc=139
works well
steve

 

[BG3]

this was my solution. bought one controller and 3 fans plugged the controller into the rec so it comes on when I turn rec on. Just mounted the fans in the back. Controller has a control knob for speed. Downside is it cost 75 with shipping and some time to DIY.
controller: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5931/bus-101/SilenX_4_Channel_Fan_Controller_w_ACDC_Adapter_IXA-FCEX.html?id=m9YgYqPQ&mv_pc=138
3 fans: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/6439/fan-376/Scythe_Ultra_Kaze_120_x_38mm_Fan_-_1000_RPM_DFS123812L-1000.html?id=m9YgYqPQ&mv_pc=139
works well
steve

I had forgotten about that site. It actually gave me an idea for venting my closet. Here's what I chose:
Part # Product Description Qty Price Total
ele-296 A.C. Ryan MeshxPanel™ HEXX 500x500mm 1.0mm Alu - Silver - (ACR-XP00625) 1 $29.95
cab-03 4-pin Y Cable Splitter 1 $2.50
bus-107 AC to DC Adapter - 110v AC to 12v DC Converter w/ 4-Pin Molex 1 $12.95
fan-380 Scythe Slip Stream 120mm x 25mm Fan - 800 RPM (SY1225SL12L) 2 $19.90
Item Total: $65.30
Shipping: $8.57
Tax: $0.00
Grand Total: $73.87

I'm going to form the aluminum mesh around the sides of the fans in a rectangular formation, then create another 90 degree bend for a lip. Cut my rectangle out of the closet ceiling and drop the assembly in from the attic. Plug the fans into an existing surge protector in the attic. Then I'll have a vented electronics closet.

 

[ghammerle]

What is the ideal temp and what is too high

I did some brainstorming and some digging around in my storage area and I found an old but brand new blower for a gas fireplace. I hooked up a cord and plug and plugged it into my amp so when I turn the amp on it turns on. I actually elevated the SAT box about 3 1/2" and suspended the blower on that. It blows air across the top of the amp and out the crack in the double cabinet doors. I put a digital thermometer that records the high temps and low temps to see the range. The temp range seems to be around 86-90. What is the ideal temperature and what is too high?

 

[BG3]

fan-380 Scythe Slip Stream 120mm x 25mm Fan - 800 RPM (SY1225SL12L) 2 $19.90

I just received everything but the mesh. It should be here tomorrow. I plugged the fans into the A/C adapter...and had to check to make sure they were plugged in. No sound at all.

Scythe claims 40.17 CFM @ 10.70dBA. I believe it. I had to put my ear right up to the fans to hear any sound. I think this is going to work very well.

 

[darien87]

I tried a couple of different things.

First I bought a couple of fans fron Radio Shack, and wired them to electrical plugs and plugged them into the back of my receiver. But when they powered up, they were so loud, it sounded like a plane was taking off inside my cabinet.

I ended up buying a few 4" computer fans from a guy on eBay. He even had some that had different speed switches on the plug. Those ended up being nice and quiet. I can hear them at quiet passages of a movie, but they're still quieter than the fan in my PS 3.

 

[BG3]

I just received everything but the mesh. It should be here tomorrow. I plugged the fans into the A/C adapter...and had to check to make sure they were plugged in. No sound at all.

Scythe claims 40.17 CFM @ 10.70dBA. I believe it. I had to put my ear right up to the fans to hear any sound. I think this is going to work very well.

I feel the need to brag about FrozenCPU.com. I sent them an email yesterday since the aluminum mesh I ordered was still at the FedEx hub and had been since Mar. 28. They promply replied that they would look into it @ 2pm. At 6pm, they sent another email stating that the package was found and would be delivered today. It's nice to know some companies still care about customer service.

Hopefully I can get the mesh bent and the closet finsihed this weekend!