How to build a Self Cooling amp rack (easy) - a quick build using Fans / SMD TM-1

[meade916]

This week i am tossing together a quick little amp rack to demonstrate just how easy it can be to keep your temperatures under control...and how efficient just a few fans controlled by an SMD TM-1 can be. I literally built this in a couple hours time and that includes going to the store for the fans, drinking my coffee, talking on the phone etc. Cooling is obviously very important to the longevity of your amp. Heat kills. Cool amps live longer. So this isn't the ONLY way to do it, but for those who had no idea, this is just one option.

Now the CFM is something that will come into play. Just use something that moves good air. These are some basic computer case fans. They are cheap and easy to use. The draw almost nothing. The SMD TM-1 can safely run 5a worth of fans directly off the unit without a relay. Matter of fact a relay won't even work so don't try it. Most fans i have seen are under .3a so the unit can run a lot. These fans actually only draw .16a so if i wanted to i could run 31 off of it! For this demo i am only doing 4. As you will see in the video, it was more than enough. The heatgun i was doing to heat up the chamber could not keep up with the fan system....very efficient IMO.

VIDEO IS STILL PROCESSING: it will be here when ready

Available in C or F. They also work GREAT on computer towers!

[meade916]

this system worked so good the heat gun could not keep it hot enough to pass 45c. For the video, i had to cut the fan wire just to get the chamber hot enough to get the fans on stage 3

[Wood]

Thank you for this!!! I will apply it to my build because it gets HOT in Texas!!

[gckless]

Nice little rack.

Just wanted to mention that depending on the way you mount your fans, you should also pay attention to static pressure. For example, in a cross-flow rack like you built there, you should just pay attention to how much air they can move, CFM. But if you have your fans right against the amps with not much room for them to "breathe", like so (circles under the amps have fans on the back side):

you need to also worry about static pressure. Higher pressure means a stronger fan. Some of those cheap computer fans don't have enough ass in them to cool enough to justify putting them in some mounting locations. Just wanted to add that

[meade916]

Nice little rack.

Just wanted to mention that depending on the way you mount your fans, you should also pay attention to static pressure. For example, in a cross-flow rack like you built there, you should just pay attention to how much air they can move, CFM. But if you have your fans right against the amps with not much room for them to "breathe", like so (circles under the amps have fans on the back side):

you need to also worry about static pressure. Higher pressure means a stronger fan. Some of those cheap computer fans don't have enough ass in them to cool enough to justify putting them in some mounting locations. Just wanted to add that

gotcha. But really, any air movement is better than none. Everyone know's that the higher CFM the better. But thanks This is just a basic build that anyone can do very quickly. There are lots of variables that will go into each different situation. I have a old Soundstream Class A 3.0 that gets hot enough to fry an egg within 15 minutes of play time. One little fan double side taped to the top of the heat sync was enough to keep that thing room temperature and it never blew up again after i put it on there. Again, ANY air is better than no air in most cases.

[_paralyzed_]

Very cool. Pun intended.

[gckless]

Nice little rack.

Just wanted to mention that depending on the way you mount your fans, you should also pay attention to static pressure. For example, in a cross-flow rack like you built there, you should just pay attention to how much air they can move, CFM. But if you have your fans right against the amps with not much room for them to "breathe", like so (circles under the amps have fans on the back side):

you need to also worry about static pressure. Higher pressure means a stronger fan. Some of those cheap computer fans don't have enough ass in them to cool enough to justify putting them in some mounting locations. Just wanted to add that

gotcha. But really, any air movement is better than none. Everyone know's that the higher CFM the better. But thanks This is just a basic build that anyone can do very quickly. There are lots of variables that will go into each different situation. I have a old Soundstream Class A 3.0 that gets hot enough to fry an egg within 15 minutes of play time. One little fan double side taped to the top of the heat sync was enough to keep that thing room temperature and it never blew up again after i put it on there. Again, ANY air is better than no air in most cases.

I definitely agree. Just wanted to add

Did you remove my picture? Could have sworn I put it in there, but maybe something happened.

[boom50cal]

Saw this on twitter, got really excited. It's gonna get put to use on my rebuild.

Thanks big man.

[Mr Bigolsworth]

helpful thread. good information, thanks

[Karkov]

Hell yea, thanks for the write up, pics. vid. and time invested for this. I know lots will appreciate it!!