How important is the fan switch on the SWR 350?

MakiSupaStar · #1 10-24-2011, 09:26 AM

I have this old SWR 350 head that I use as practice rig. When you power it up you have a power switch for the amp, and there's another switch called 'internal fan' that runs the fan to cool the head. Recently, I noticed that it's not working anymore. Like I said, this is not my main rig, and it doesn't really leave my garage. Is it essential that I get this fixed? Do SWR heads run hotter than other heads? I'm not that familiar with SWR's stuff, so I don't know much about them. I do love the head though. Is neglecting the repair on this going to destroy this head?

T. Alan Smith · #2 10-24-2011, 09:38 AM

I'd get it fixed or attach a fan of some sort to your rack to get air moving. Mine would get pretty hot.

MakiSupaStar · #3 10-24-2011, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T. Alan Smith

I'd get it fixed or attach a fan of some sort to your rack to get air moving. Mine would get pretty hot.

Ok. Yeah, I did notice it running warm. Even with the grill totally open and exposed. Cool. I'll look into getting this repaired.

Buzz Grim · #4 10-24-2011, 10:00 AM

I have the earlier model of this amp which did not have the fan switch.
I'm pretty sure that both models use the same thermostatically controlled fan which doesn't come on until a certain temperature is reached. Mine usually doesn't come on at all when I am practicing at home but it does come on after a bit of playing at higher volumes.
I think that the fan switch is just an off switch that was added so the fan could be prevented from coming on when using the amp for recording.
I wouldn't assume anything is wrong with the fan just because it doesn't come on right away. Have you tried playing the amp for a while at high volumes to see if the fan eventually comes on?

**lowfreqgeek** · #5 10-24-2011, 10:04 AM

I have an older one without the switch. It does get HOT, but the fan only comes on when the amp gets to a specific temp. I had it racked in a bag once (it came in the bag when I bought it) and the vent holes were somewhat blocked. I pushed it so hard that I literally could not touch the aluminum chassis, but it never gave up. I pulled it out of the rack after that...

No way would I run it that way regularly, but it was ok. If the fan is truly not coming on at all, get it fixed, but check to make sure it's not just not getting warm enough to turn on the fan.

MakiSupaStar · #6 10-24-2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz Grim

I have the earlier model of this amp which did not have the fan switch.
I'm pretty sure that both models use the same thermostatically controlled fan which doesn't come on until a certain temperature is reached. Mine usually doesn't come on at all when I am practicing at home but it does come on after a bit of playing at higher volumes.
I think that the fan switch is just an off switch that was added so the fan could be prevented from coming on when using the amp for recording.
I wouldn't assume anything is wrong with the fan just because it doesn't come on right away. Have you tried playing the amp for a while at high volumes to see if the fan eventually comes on?

Hmm. No I haven't. But it used to pop on when it was switched on. I'll turn the switch on, and play it at higher volumes and see if it kicks in.