Rack space needed for SWR SM500

[quinny04]

Hi all, brand new to talk bass, been playing professionally 35 yrs and my son just clued me in to this site. I just purchased a SWR SM500 which is convection cooled [no fan] Do these need an empty rack space above them for heat dissipation or can I mount this in my rack without leaving an empty space between it and my next piece of gear [either a power conditioner or a rack mount tuner]? Any help would be appreciated!

[anderbass]

Does your amp have cooling vents on the very top panel? (If not, no problem)
If so, would your amps top vents still be blocked off if you located the shallowest of your other 2 rack units directly above?

[JimmyM]

not sure where you got the idea it doesn't have a fan, but it has a fan. it just doesn't come on until the temp reaches 120 degrees inside. just keep the vent unblocked and you'll be fine.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by quinny04

Hi all, brand new to talk bass, been playing professionally 35 yrs and my son just clued me in to this site. I just purchased a SWR SM500 which is convection cooled [no fan] Do these need an empty rack space above them for heat dissipation or can I mount this in my rack without leaving an empty space between it and my next piece of gear [either a power conditioner or a rack mount tuner]? Any help would be appreciated!

It does have a fan. However, the SWR amps run hot, and they use the casing as part of the cooling system (it acts as a heat sink). It is one of the few 2 space amps that I would recommend leaving an extra rack space.

I would not bother with a power conditioner... not needed. The good news is, most rack mounted tuners are quite shallow front to back, so it should be fine to get a three space rack like a Gator and mount the tuner in there. That would still leave enough space above the back of the amp for it to stay safe and cool IMO.