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Let's Get Technical => All PREAMP Tech Tips & Support => Topic started by: rabidgerry on July 24, 2017, 08:07:51 AM

Title: Cooling your Rack
Post by: rabidgerry on July 24, 2017, 08:07:51 AM
Ok guy's who here uses the clip on fan idea to cool their rack?

I believe it was Soloist who gave me the idea to try this, so I'm only getting around to trying out the idea now that I have an amp that gets hot and a preamp that gets hot.

If any of you guys do this, what size of fan are we talking about here?  I think a 6" fan may be too large, I dunno.

All cooling tips welcome, particularly regarding a clip on fan powered via power conditioner  :thumb-up:
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: MarshallJMP on July 24, 2017, 08:53:53 AM
Well I used a rack blind plate like this one  https://www.thomann.de/be/adam_hall_87221vr.htm?ref=search_rslt_rack+blind+plate_251513_0
And I installed 3 40mm fans (they just fit to the inside) and powered them with  9V.You can install these on the front like I did (between my mp-1 and mp-2) or on the back.
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: Kim on July 24, 2017, 09:05:33 AM
I've used one whenever I felt it might be necessary.   A 6" fan would probably be about perfect, IMO as long as you have a good place to attach it easily.   I've experimented with having the fan blowing directly into the back of the rack, and with attempting to suck the hot air out from the back of the rack.  The sucking doesn't work very good in that setup, unless you specifically design the rack to accommodate that type of airflow...meaning the fan has to be sealed to the rack and have a proper place for the incoming air to be drawn in through.  While that may be the best way scientifically the best way, it's not the easiest by far and probably overkill anyway.  Just having a small clip fan (not sealed to the rack) blowing into the back of the rack will move the air around plenty.  Or, a blind panel fan unit as MJMP suggests would be plenty good too.

My poweramp has it's own fan within its chassis, so I'm not worried about having another fan for that rackcase, but the preamp does get pretty warm on the front panel and top lid.
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: vansinn on July 24, 2017, 11:30:48 AM
For a 3-4 unit rack, I would:
Mount each device with a tiny separation space for having an airflow passing over and under.
Fully close the back, and install two large-diameter (120/140mm) 12 volt fans, powered through a 7809 regulator.
This will create an airflow from front to rear surrounding all devices.
The rack rails will likely need modifications in order to mount the devices with separation.
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: Harley Hexxe on July 24, 2017, 02:44:59 PM
   I believe a 6" clip on fan is fine for what you want to do. I've used them for years, clipped to the back of my Fender Twins. I'll probably use them again in the RMC Rack heads, if I can find a suitable place to clip them onto. This is because those head cases are too shallow to mount rear rack rails on them to install rack mounted cooling panels on.
   My 22U rack has front and rear rack rails for this purpose. Like Kim, my power amp also has a cooling fan in the back of it however, my preamps do not. For cooling those down, and I may use up to four preamps in that rack, (minimum two), I choose AC Infinity T7 cooling system, because it's quiet. They are a bit pricey at $100 USD each, and Pyle makes similar ones at half the price, I chose those because this rack is mostly in the studio, and I need to keep the noise down. The nice thing about those is, I can flip two of the fans over, and have them blow cool air into the rack while the other two, blow air out. I have small rubber pads that I stick to the underside of the preamps on the back corners, to give the air a chance to get in there a little bit, (much like Sinn suggests).
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: rabidgerry on July 25, 2017, 01:05:40 AM
All useful information here guy's.

I guess there is no need for me to go to the lengths that you did MJMP

Sinn, not sure how I could do such a thing with my 3U and soon to be 4U ABS plastic rack case.

Kim, well the fact you've done it before sounds like it's the way to go then.   My poweramp (Rocktron Velocity   :thumb-up:) has a fan also but I want to keep the air moving and also help cool the amp and preamp down.  My other poweramp did not have a fan and did not get as hot so I don't think I really needed cooling, where as the velocity gets hot, and if it's mounted below a preamp that is also getting hot then their going to heat each other, so time for some help I think in the way of an extra fan.

Harley, cool 6" fan isn't to large then to be pointed into a 3u and possibly 4U case?  Ok not it's just about sourcing a fan.

Here is another question, my power fan seems to blow air out the top, if the preamp or any other unit is mounted above this, this will restrict the cooling right?  So I should have a space then? 
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: rnolan on July 25, 2017, 03:33:59 AM
Hey RG, if you put a 1RU space above the poweramp you probably don't need an additional fan (not that it hurts).  Also for the preamp, one trick is to use the little stick on rubber "feet" that came with the MP-1 (or similar (a bit like what Kim was saying), this ensures reasonable airflow under the preamp (which I mount on top as then you have a bit of rack air above it as well).  MP-1s don't get as hot as MP-2s. With my MP-2 rig, the MP-2 is at the top, then QV underneath (which is no where near as deep), I prefer a space above my B200s as its heat sinks are on the top and it gets quite hot. Also have the rack open front and back, I've never had an issue with heat over the past 25 + years, but typically I'm only running one preamp.  Putting a MP-1 or MB-1 under an MP-2 (all turned on) then a fan is a good idea...
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: Soloist on July 25, 2017, 06:49:46 AM
Hey RG, I still use the clip fan. Works great! I also leave a 1 ru space between all my preamps and power amps. I  know it's hard to do with smaller racks though. However by just adding a clip fan will lower your rack temp tremendously  :thumb-up:
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: MarshallJMP on July 25, 2017, 11:43:48 AM
Well an MP-2 gets pretty hot and so does the mp-1 after a while so I decided to put some fans in there. I had the blind plate and fans lying around and it took less then an hour to install, much cooler now. And if needed I can switch it off. Maybe I'll install a few more fans in it to get even more airflow.
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: rabidgerry on July 25, 2017, 01:49:52 PM
lets get one thing straight, as much as I would love a "fridge" sized rack, it's pointless since I can't take it anywhere and (for example) when I travel to Malta next year I can hardly demand from the promoters

"now since I am traveling guys you will need to supply with me 1 Ada MP1, a Peavey Rockmaster, a rockman Instrument EQ, a Boss NS-50, a Boss SX700, a digitech ISP33 and a Furman PC, "  (I could add more  :facepalm:)

"if you don't supply...........I no come to play ya here??"

So realistically I cannot go the full haul such as you have MJMP, however I most certainly would had I the road crew and the private jet.


Hey Soloist, can you send me a pic of your fan?  I'm using a 3U at the moment but I think I will be expanding  :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: to a 4U to allow for the extra space between Power amp and Preamp...................or have the PA in a separate smaller case.  Anyways I should have plenty of space to have a clip fan facing into the back of the rack.

How big is the rack you cart around Soloist?

Guy's should I get a fan for my home studio rack? It's not enclosed, it's open but the stuff is stacked with no spaces.

MJMP, I definitely think MP1s get hot, not critical, but I can see a fan for one being useful all the same.  Why is MP2 running hotter normally?
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: MarshallJMP on July 25, 2017, 02:55:06 PM
Yeah I understand that Gerry, but I just showed it for others that maybe want something like this, it's small, easy to make if you have the room for it. If I had to play in Malta I wouldn't carry this "fridge" around, so I totally understand. Now if you come to Belgium I might help you out  ;D Next time you come to Belgium we might try to do a gig together

The MP-2 has always been a big heat generator, it has a lot more stuff in it and it has more voltages, the MP-1 is +5,-15 +15V the MP-2 +5,+12 -15 +15 -24 +24V so 6 voltage regulators that generate a lot of heat.So after 4 hours of playing it get's pretty hot without cooling, with adding the fans it's a lot cooler.
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: Dante on July 25, 2017, 09:22:59 PM
I carry two small fans with me to put in front of my pedal board to blow on ME.  :lol: They are 10" household fans, and part of my rig. I call them my biggest fans.  :facepalm:

Since I play in a HOT place (over 100° F) I use the second fan on my rack sometimes. I just set it on a chair behind my rig and point it at the back of the rack. I use my pedal board cover for shade on the top of the rack.

Never been a problem, and I've played plenty of outdoor gigs in the summertime for festivals, backyard parties, etc.
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: Soloist on July 26, 2017, 12:33:21 AM
Hey Gerry, here's a pic of my fan. Nothing special just a 6 inch clip fan. I just clip it on the back side of my rack so it blows air from back to front.
My fridge is a 21 ru. My guitar tech / roadie gets a work out moving that thing. :facepalm:
Sorry for the odd size pic, I uploaded from my phone.
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: rabidgerry on July 26, 2017, 01:52:51 AM
Ok that fan is like the ones I have been checking out online, so I shall purchase one when I come back from Poland  :thumb-up:  Thanks Soloist.

MJMP  no man your idea is a great idea and good to share the info with others, I was just joking that I couldn't do anything like that (which is a shame as I'd love a fridge............and a roadie.....................and a guitar tech).  I have to keep things at best sound and maximum practicality.  It will probably never be any different for me either despite being a band with enough of a profile to travel to other countries.

I couldn't get anyone to dedicate their time to lugging my gear about and keeping my guitars in check Soloist so I'm quite jealous.

Dante, so you just use a regular big fan, like a desk fan and have it positioned at the back of your rack?

Our drummer has a uge fan he takes to gigs sometimes, like the kind that could power a guy in a parachute, one of those kinds  :lol:
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: rnolan on July 26, 2017, 03:54:06 AM
Hey RG, the only time I've had heat problems is with my studio rack (also, like yours, totally open)  IIRC I had a MP-2 sitting on top of a MB-1 but not screwed in so very little (if any) gap, then I had MP-2 fade from heat. Just make sure there is the biggest gap possible between the hot stuff, even a few mm makes a difference (eg as you tighten up the rack bolts, push a lager flat head screwdriver between the units so the gap is a wide as possible..)
I like MJMPs 1RU fans  :thumb-up: , if your rack has rear rack rails you could mount it from the back.  Keeping poweramps separate also makes sense heat wise but doesn't help portability.  However, a small 6" clip on fan seems to do the job (from what the guys say), but one more thing to carry...
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: MarshallJMP on July 26, 2017, 04:11:15 AM
Even with air gaps the mp-2 gets hot. Maybe it has got something to do with the mains voltage which is quite high at my place. It goes from 237V at night to about 246V in the daytime.

Hey G maybe I should go on tour with you as your guitar tech/roadie  :lol:
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: vansinn on July 26, 2017, 05:16:23 AM
The MP-2 always gets hot. It's all that discrete electronics, the many voltages each needing a regulator, and the mains transformer not being a torroid or double-D construction, so it gets awfully hot.
Small-diameter mini fans can be installed inside at both sides or outside via clips.
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: Griphook on July 26, 2017, 05:43:58 AM
So, should the MP-2 be cooled "Front-Back" or "Top-Bottom"?
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: vansinn on July 26, 2017, 12:56:16 PM
Do what works the best for your specific rack. As long as heat is taken away.
Now, as most racks are closed boxes except front and rear, and given that the heat should be moved from the inside of the rack and out to the surroundings, and given that mounting fans on the front looks kinda weird while also preventing operating knobs'n'dials, I'd say rear-mount fans to suck from the front through the box exhausting to the rear ;)

If you're thinking of blowing from rear through the box exhausting front, I think trying to push air through will cause more air-short-cycle around the fans that when sucking rear-out.
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: rabidgerry on July 26, 2017, 02:01:39 PM
Even with air gaps the mp-2 gets hot. Maybe it has got something to do with the mains voltage which is quite high at my place. It goes from 237V at night to about 246V in the daytime.

Hey G maybe I should go on tour with you as your guitar tech/roadie  :lol:

Man I would love that so much, not only would I have expertise on hand, but a good friend who I could talk with about equipment and sound and all that shit that no one I know likes to talk about.  And I know you'd do a stellar job.  I actually reckon having a roadie/tec in the wings would give you a lot of confidence as a performer as you know you would be covered should an emergency arise.  Only time I experienced anything like that was at the Bloodstock festival where the stage hands where totally at our mercy.

Hey Van, you're right, just do what my rig requires  :thumb-up:

I'm going for the 6", I shall buy an ebay special.  I doubt there is much room between the units for the air to be pushed from the back of my rig to the front.

I figured the fan blowing on it would just cool it down.
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: Dante on July 26, 2017, 08:56:52 PM
Quote
Dante, so you just use a regular big fan, like a desk fan and have it positioned at the back of your rack?

Yessir! Here's a pic of the one on the floor, with my pedal board for an idea of the size. I just measured it, and it's 8" in diameter

It works fine, which is why I have two. That said, i may grab one of those small clip on dealiebobs too.
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: rnolan on July 27, 2017, 01:23:22 AM
I mount my MP-2 at the top, this provides a bit of space above it for the heat to dissipate and I ensure a gap  (albeit small) underneath it so air can get into the vents around the tubes.  Also I mount my QV under the MP-1 as it is a shallow unit which also allows air around the preamp.  So far I haven't needed a fan, and Australia get quite hot in summer.  But a clip on fan just blowing in air at the "open" rear of the rack will assist in keeping the air moving.
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: MarshallJMP on July 27, 2017, 03:54:24 AM
Before I made those "rack fans" I used a 12" fan sitting in front of my rack which also worked great, but now we have a few gigs I don't see myself carry that thing around and I'm sure out drummer would steal it from me right before the gig.

Dante I must say I really like your "art" that you did on your pedal  :thumb-up:
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: Dante on July 29, 2017, 09:13:08 AM
Dante I must say I really like your "art" that you did on your pedal  :thumb-up:

Thanks buddy, I get crafty with tape and pens - lol. The white numbers are vehicle wrap material I took from work, it's the excess stuff. I just cut the numbers out by hand, no templates, just scissors. The MXC is covered in low-tack painter's tape, then black gorilla duct tape. I used the low tack stuff to keep from getting a bunch of glue on the unit, the low tack stuff peels right off.

The quad switch is covered in low-tack painters tape, then decorated with a black and silver sharpee pen. BTW: #4 and #9 are dedicated solo patches, which is why they're outlined in silver.
Title: Re: Cooling your Rack
Post by: vansinn on July 30, 2017, 04:54:01 AM
Oh dear, Dante even has an infinity setting!
And a fan big enough to blow back the hair; should be standard for every metal player..
I'd angle it a Bit down to cool my pants - I mean, those chicks in the pit :nono: