Rackmounting a head should there be an open space above it?

abcdefranklin · #1 05-28-2010, 09:12 PM

I have the 800rb and am planning on buying a rackcase for it and some of my other goodies. I'm really anal about all of my stuff should I get a rackcase thats big enough to have one free space above the 800rb to avoid over heating or anything just wondering

bongomania · #2 05-28-2010, 09:30 PM

It's a good idea when possible. Some amps have fan-blown ventilation from front to back or side to side, and they are usually OK with no extra space on top. But if your amp has no fan, or its vents are on top, it's usually good to leave a space.

abcdefranklin · #3 05-28-2010, 09:34 PM

it has no fans or vents. It just has don't kill me if im wrong. A heatsink on the back? a bunch of metal things poking out of the back haha

abcdefranklin · #4 05-28-2010, 09:43 PM

like so

somegeezer · #5 05-28-2010, 09:56 PM

Strange. I thought all GK RB heads had fans. I have the 1001RB-II and it has a fan on top. This guy had left the top open though. http://www.softcloudcove.com/dumeril...D_Bass_Amp.jpg

bongomania · #6 05-28-2010, 09:58 PM

Yeah that's a heatsink. Heatsinks are great, but not always sufficient. I have never used that head, but generally with no vents or fans I'd leave an extra space. Hopefully an 800RB owner will chime in with their experience.

Jazzdogg · #7 05-28-2010, 10:05 PM

I like to maximize airflow around heat sinks to assure my amps run cool. Usually, all I need to do is remove the back of the rack case while playing, although some racks have benefitted from vents or fans to maximize air exchanges. Don't let anything touch the heat sinks while your amp is on. My SKB and Gator cases provide an airspace above and below rack components. A plywood rack with no airspace around the amp can retain a lot of heat.

fenderfunker · #8 05-28-2010, 10:13 PM

I have a power amp that also has NO fan. To compensate, I built a fan into a board that attaches to the back of the rack. This fan plugs into the plugboard that all the amps, pre-amp and effects plug into. Plenty of cross flow, everything stays cool, and no problems so far. Good luck, it ain't no big problem really. Lee

abcdefranklin · #9 05-28-2010, 10:18 PM

Alright then ill be sure to leave a open space.

abcdefranklin · #10 05-28-2010, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderfunker

I have a power amp that also has NO fan. To compensate, I built a fan into a board that attaches to the back of the rack. This fan plugs into the plugboard that all the amps, pre-amp and effects plug into. Plenty of cross flow, everything stays cool, and no problems so far. Good luck, it ain't no big problem really. Lee

Can you take a picture please I want to put a fan in there just to make sure its fine.

Rick Auricchio · #11 05-29-2010, 10:24 AM

This is one commercial fan unit; you can probably build a similar unit with some thin plywood and a low-priced 120v fan.

You can get a low-cost 120v fan and a guard for about $20 from www.allelectronics.com.

Paint the plywood board flat black and it'll look fine.

Floyd Eye · #12 05-29-2010, 10:28 AM

Definitely leave an open space above it, even if you have a fan.

abcdefranklin · #13 05-29-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Auricchio

This is one commercial fan unit; you can probably build a similar unit with some thin plywood and a low-priced 120v fan.

You can get a low-cost 120v fan and a guard for about $20 from www.allelectronics.com.

Paint the plywood board flat black and it'll look fine.

So I could just get a computer fan? How would I turn it on thought where would I plug it in?

Rick Auricchio · #14 05-29-2010, 11:06 AM

I would mount a power strip inside the rack; plug in the equipment and the fan. Now you only have one power cord coming from the wall to the rack. When you plug into the wall, the fan starts immediately. But that's OK, because you'll be firing up the amp shortly anyway.

Computer fans usually don't run on 120v, which is why I provided the direct link for a 120v one.

abcdefranklin · #15 05-29-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Auricchio

I would mount a power strip inside the rack; plug in the equipment and the fan. Now you only have one power cord coming from the wall to the rack. When you plug into the wall, the fan starts immediately. But that's OK, because you'll be firing up the amp shortly anyway.

Computer fans usually don't run on 120v, which is why I provided the direct link for a 120v one.

I have a power conditioner. Does the 120v fan you provided have a standard wall plug. Sorry for getting it confused with the computer fan it just looks like one haha

abcdefranklin · #16 05-29-2010, 03:27 PM

How do i plug the 120v fan into the wall and would i have the fan blowing air into the rack case or blowing it out of the case? I've looked at premade ones that run for 60$ and theyre blowing the air out and should the fan be in the back or the front of the case?

Rick Auricchio · #17 05-29-2010, 06:44 PM

I'd mount the fan at the back of the rack, pulling air out. It pulls out the heat, and any noise is at the back of the rack.

The fan I linked to doesn't have a power cord. If you aren't comfortable soldering, ask someone to attach an old 2-prong power cord to the fan. (I always have a few "recycled" power cords available.) A bit of electrical tape will cover the connections for safety.

bassmanbiff · #18 05-29-2010, 06:54 PM

You could even put it above the lower 1u slot and put something short under it to ensure air can freely circulate up through the heat sink.

In an enclosed space like a rack, a fan could be a good thing. Though the best way to determine this is checking how warm it gets under normal use. If you can hold your hand on it comfortably it shouldn't be a problem.

abcdefranklin · #19 05-29-2010, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmanbiff

You could even put it above the lower 1u slot and put something short under it to ensure air can freely circulate up through the heat sink.

In an enclosed space like a rack, a fan could be a good thing. Though the best way to determine this is checking how warm it gets under normal use. If you can hold your hand on it comfortably it shouldn't be a problem.

I'll just get the fan just in case. I don't want to be on tour and my head die from over heating because I could have just spent 20$ for a fan

abcdefranklin · #20 05-29-2010, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Auricchio

I'd mount the fan at the back of the rack, pulling air out. It pulls out the heat, and any noise is at the back of the rack.

The fan I linked to doesn't have a power cord. If you aren't comfortable soldering, ask someone to attach an old 2-prong power cord to the fan. (I always have a few "recycled" power cords available.) A bit of electrical tape will cover the connections for safety.

My dad found a old 120vac fan it has a power cord :] I'm just going to buy a newer fan though cuz that one is really old and its kinda crappy :P And ill put the gk at the bottom of the rack and the fan just above the heatsink Thanks for your help