Fans for HT?

[sbisheff]

So I have 5 X-Amps that I'm now using for my HT and they get pretty warm. I was thinking of building individual shelves for each pair to get them more separation then putting a fan at the back of each shelf to pull air through. I was thinking of maybe using some computer fans but need to figure out a way to wire them and was hoping to find a way to turn them in via 12v trigger so when my preamp turns in it turns them on. I'm sure other people have already done this so I'm hoping for some insight from the more experienced :D

Below is a pic I took last night of the setup. I'm thinking of building shelves that will split the opening the amps are in into thirds so it'll be all evenly spaced. Right now after playing most of the day their very warm, almost hot and I'm hoping to help their longevity.

Thanks!

Scott

[engtaz]

You can also use 1" to 2" risers to give them better cooling.

[HAL]

Look at the Silenx fans. They make Ultra Quiet fluid dynamic bearing fans that work very well and are very quiet. They come in multiple sizes.

Both Newegg and TigerDirect sell them.

[sbisheff]

You can also use 1" to 2" risers to give them better cooling.

Yeah I've considered risers as well. I temporarily put a couple in between the bottom and middle ones and it helps for sure.

[sbisheff]

Look at the Silenx fans. They make Ultra Quiet fluid dynamic bearing fans that work very well and are very quiet. They come in multiple sizes.

Both Newegg and TigerDirect sell them.

Cool thanks! How are they powered? 120vac? I'd like to be able to have them turn on automatically when the amps turn on.

[HAL]

They are 12VDC fans. They come on with the DC power supply in my MS-1's.

[sbisheff]

Ok I thought they were DC. What's an MS-1? I picked up a PDU that will be powering my amps and is auto sensing turn off and turns on with a remote so I could wire the AC to the PDU so whenever the amps are on the fans would be on. Do you just do a transformer to switch to 12VDC?

[HAL]

Here is the MS-1 Music Server thread:

https://www.chasehometheater.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4652

The fan goes into the Music Server I build and runs off the interal power supply.

You can rig up a relay and 12VDC supply with about 0.5amp current to run the fan and use the 12VDC trigger for the relay. Should start-up when the system starts.

[sbisheff]

Here is the MS-1 Music Server thread:

https://www.chasehometheater.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4652

The fan goes into the Music Server I build and runs off the interal power supply.

You can rig up a relay and 12VDC supply with about 0.5amp current to run the fan and use the 12VDC trigger for the relay. Should start-up when the system starts.

Oh ok I see. So I'll need a DC power supply to convert the power. OK, time for research :applause:

Scott

[HAL]

The Silenx fan kits come with a standard PC DC cable to fan pin jack converter to make connection easy. You just need standard Molex four pin wiring to the 12VDC supply.

[sbisheff]

Ended up going to Fry's last night and found 3 Antec fans that looked nice, were quiet and had 3 speeds so I can vary the amount of flow, and they were only $7 each :applause: Given how much they flow I may only end up using one or two of them.

I also figured out a way to build a power supply for them and have Altronix sending me the materials today and I should get it late next week. Might even be able to build it over the weekend, should be fun!

Scott

[sbisheff]

I'm building the power supply with THIS Altronix Board and THIS Altronix Plug in Transformer.

At 12VDC it puts out 1.2 amps which is PLENTY to drive these little fans. I'm going to put it into a small box and put a terminal barrier strip on the outside to run all the DC connections to from the fans. This is turning into a fun little project :D

Scott

[HAL]

Sounds like you have all the bases covered!

Should work out well.

[sbisheff]

Sounds like you have all the bases covered!

Should work out well.

Having never done this before it took a little thought but once I had it figured out how to get it to work it kinda clicked. I appreciate the help you've been!!

I love doing stuff like this :D I was gonna order a box from Parts Express but then I have to pay shipping and we don't have sales tax here so I may just go pick one up from Fry's. They've got some pretty cool looking aluminum boxes that would look nice.

Scott

[PhenomeNhan]

I went the ghetto way by chopping up all my unused USB cables and wiring them to computer fans to help relieve heat with some of my devices. In my system, you can't even see the fans on to of their components.

I also thought about using a powered USB hub and somehow hooking it up to a 12v trigger, but have been too lazy to make that work.