Need Help with Heat Disbursement in Custom Entertainment Center.

S

SC Hunter

Audiophyte
Hey everyone,

I am renovating a house I just bought, and I have a cabinet guy getting ready to start designing and building a custom built-in entertainment center for my den. I plan to put my surround sound sytem components, and Russ Sound distributed audio components in the cabinets which have raised panel doors. Anyway, my electrician mentioned that I may have an issue with heat while the doors are shut. Can anyone please provide some insight on if I will likely have a heat problem, and if so, how can we design the entertainment center in order to alleviate the heat issue.

I am going to post a picture and a link of a picture of my parent's entertainment center which should be somewhat similar, so that you can see the basic design we will likely have. Any and all help would be most appreciated!! Thanks so much!

Sincerely,

SC Hunter
 
Midcow2

Midcow2

Banned
A couple of ways ...

Hey everyone,

I am renovating a house I just bought, and I have a cabinet guy getting ready to start designing and building a custom built-in entertainment center for my den. I plan to put my surround sound sytem components, and Russ Sound distributed audio components in the cabinets which have raised panel doors. Anyway, my electrician mentioned that I may have an issue with heat while the doors are shut. Can anyone please provide some insight on if I will likely have a heat problem, and if so, how can we design the entertainment center in order to alleviate the heat issue.

I am going to post a picture and a link of a picture of my parent's entertainment center which should be somewhat similar, so that you can see the basic design we will likely have. Any and all help would be most appreciated!! Thanks so much!

Sincerely,

SC Hunter
(1) Normally if you have the space to provide the proper air space the manufacturer recommends, that is all you need. Howver proper air space in a closed cabinet is typically 6-8 inches in each direction. That meansleft, right, above add behind.

(2) you could also create addtional air circulation via an open back


(3) Muffin fans would laso add additiona circulation in an open or closed cabinet. Normally muffin fans can be added with minimal sound levels. But even minla sound levels is some times too much for a audiophile !

I personally have a closed cabinet and the air clearance around the receiver is minimimal about 1 1/2 inches each side and 1 inch on top. However, the entire back is open and I have not had any heating problems. The AVR remains very cool to the touch.
 
S

SC Hunter

Audiophyte
Only issue is that the back will be a wall. So the open back isn't an option.
 
Rickster71

Rickster71

Audioholic Spartan
I'm thinking, the easiest fix would be to leave the doors open when in use.
How's the wife feel about that?
 
Rickster71

Rickster71

Audioholic Spartan
Or maybe, put an intake vent in front; like the heating vent is on your parents unit.
Then have the carpenter put some vent openings on the first shelf is.(i.e. behind where that silver unit is)
 
BMXTRIX

BMXTRIX

Audioholic Warlord
No manufacturer allows for a sealed enclosure system. They have specifics for clearance for natural airflow, but then operation must still be within manufacturer specifications.

The proper way to deal with airflow is to draw air (with fans) from the bottom of the cabinet and then exhaust it out of the top of the cabinet. A cabinet typically will have a bit of an overhang on the front edge near the base, this is the perfect location to put slots in for air intake.

At the back of the cabinet, near the top, you will have to have something similar which can exhaust the hot air from.

Middle Atlantic, as well as several other companies, make fans which can pull airflow through the cabinet to ensure that your gear is properly cooled.

You may also want to consider getting some pull out/rotating equipment racks if you aren't planning to have any natural rear access to the cabinetry.

It should be very much under your consideration: If you have any ability, whatsoever, to open the back of the cabinet up in some way, then you might want to build something to allow for that. Rear access to gear is one of the best things you can do to service the gear, enhance reliability, and provide ventilation. Often people say that they can't do it, but then they don't really think about the fact that they aren't going into an outside wall, but a wall that may lead to a different room and it very well could be done very nicely.

In my time in residential, there is no question that the #1 killer of A/V gear was heat build up due to poorly designed custom cabinetry. I've seen dozens of pieces go down due to this.
 
Neht24

Neht24

Enthusiast
I agree... Cool Components is the way to go! As a custom installer, I've used them in several applications.

Neht24
_______________
HT: Samsung 61" DLP, Arcam AVR250 Receiver, Denon DVD-2910 DVD Player, LG BH100 Blu-ray/HD-DVD Player, Atlantic Technology ICTS-6LCR "Tilting" In-Ceiling Speakers (Left/Right/Center), Atlantic Technology ICTS-8.2e In-Ceiling Speakers (Surrounds), Atlantic Technology 10e CSB Powered Subwoofer, All AudioQuest Cabling, Xbox 360 Elite & Universal Remote MX-700 Remote.

2-CH: Arcam FMJ C31 Preamplifier, Arcam FMJ P35 2-Channel Amplifier, Arcam DiVA CD192 CD Player, Monitor Audio Platinum 100 Monitors w/Stands, REL C-305 Subwoofer, all AudioQuest Cabling & Universal Remote MX-350.
 
C

ChunkyDark

Full Audioholic
You could cut out a section from the front of the door and swap out with some metal mesh to allow for better air flow. You could also get some paintable stuff to match up with the decor.
Leaving it open would probably work until someone forgets and closes it and roasts something :eek:
 
Neht24

Neht24

Enthusiast
You could cut out a section from the front of the door and swap out with some metal mesh to allow for better air flow. You could also get some paintable stuff to match up with the decor.
Leaving it open would probably work until someone forgets and closes it and roasts something :eek:
You can purchase perforated steele from McMaster Carr online http://www.mcmaster.com/ and in the search box type in: peforated metal

In the past I've used this before.. comes in (any size) sheets and you just cut to size and paint with Rustolium or Crylon etc.

Neht24
_______________
HT: Samsung 61" DLP, Arcam AVR250 Receiver, Denon DVD-2910 DVD Player, LG BH100 Blu-ray/HD-DVD Player, Atlantic Technology ICTS-6LCR "Tilting" In-Ceiling Speakers (Left/Right/Center), Atlantic Technology ICTS-8.2e In-Ceiling Speakers (Surrounds), Atlantic Technology 10e CSB Powered Subwoofer, All AudioQuest Cabling, Xbox 360 Elite & Universal Remote MX-700

2-CH: Arcam FMJ C31 Preamplifier, Arcam FMJ P35 2-Channel Amplifier, Arcam DiVA CD192 CD Player, Monitor Audio Platinum 100 Monitors w/Stands, REL C-305 Subwoofer, all AudioQuest Cabling & Universal Remote MX-350
 
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