Touching 800rb Heat sink fins?

[abcdefranklin]

Is it bad? Saw a really old post from a TB member Uptightrob I believe that he's no longer on this forum though. Is it ok to touch the heatsink on the 800rb I never touch mine. How would you attach a fan to the heat sink fins anyway?

07-11-2003, 06:06 PM
"I used the same Groove Pak on my RB800 - got kinda hot, so I got a computer fan from Radio Shack, and attached it to the heat sink fins. Ran ice cold after that."

[lbwdog]

I can't see any reason why touching them would do any harm, other than making your fingers warm. The question is,why touch them at all? The amp was designed to not require a fan and I've never had an over heating problem in over twenty years with mine.

Sure, there have been times after a four hour gig in a hot club where the fins got pretty warm, but it's never shut down.

edit: I guess if you have it in a deep rack that's not well ventilated, the heat sinks will get hotter, but I've racked mine in a shallow rack without problems.

[megadan]

I don't see why it would need a fan. Also touching them is going to hurt your fingers more than it hurts the amp heh.
That amp is built tough and designed to run for days under a full load in hot sun. I wouldn't bother changing anything.

[abcdefranklin]

Originally Posted by lbwdog

I can't see any reason why touching them would do any harm, other than making your fingers warm. The question is,why touch them at all? The amp was designed to not require a fan and I've never had an over heating problem in over twenty years with mine.

Sure, there have been times after a four hour gig in a hot club where the fins got pretty warm, but it's never shut down.

edit: I guess if you have it in a deep rack that's not well ventilated, the heat sinks will get hotter, but I've racked mine in a shallow rack without problems.

I have it in a 16" deep rack It gets hot after a few hours of playing but never to the point where I just can't touch it.

[abcdefranklin]

Originally Posted by megadan

I don't see why it would need a fan. Also touching them is going to hurt your fingers more than it hurts the amp heh.
That amp is built tough and designed to run for days under a full load in hot sun. I wouldn't bother changing anything.

I just get worried cuz I don't want it to overheat at all haha I love that thing

[lbwdog]

A fan won't hurt, but probably not necessary.

[BassmanPaul]

The 800RB is a convection cooled amp. The heatsinks are at ground potential and are perfectly safe to touch. If they are too hot to touch, your airflow needs attention.

Paul

[Bassamatic]

A fan built into the case would not hurt, if the amp is recessed enough that the heatsink does not get enough convection cooling. Heat is the #1 enemy of amps - it doesn't hurt to err on the side of safety. However, if you can hold your hand on it, there is probably no problem.

[abcdefranklin]

Thanks guys!

[abcdefranklin]

Would a little desk fan blowing at the heatsink fins be good like the high powered little metal ones?

[mpm32]

Do you have it in a rack case?

I have mine in a rack case and I got a 120v pancake fan like this;

http://www.buyextras.com/su120x25acme.html

I drilled four holes in the bottom middle of my rack case near the back and zip tied it through the mounting holes and the holes I made in my case.

Keeps my 800RB nice and cool, another benefit it the air blowing through the front of the case can be used to dry sweaty hands like the fans they have at bowling alleys.

Oh and your thinking how sturdy can this be? I did this at least 20 years ago and through many, many gigs it's held up fine. I also drape coiled cables around the fan to hold them in place when the case is closed up.

[Pilgrim]

Touch all you want. They're called "heat sinks" for a reason...so if they get too hot to touch, don't.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by abcdefranklin

Is it bad? Saw a really old post from a TB member Uptightrob I believe that he's no longer on this forum though.

Yeah, he touched the heatsink on his 800RB and it fried him.

[muddycreek]

Originally Posted by abcdefranklin

Is it bad? Saw a really old post from a TB member Uptightrob I believe that he's no longer on this forum though. Is it ok to touch the heatsink on the 800rb I never touch mine. How would you attach a fan to the heat sink fins anyway?

I hear if you touch them it won't be able to fly anymore.

Oh, wait, that's butterflies.

Jon

[abcdefranklin]

Originally Posted by mpm32

Do you have it in a rack case?

I have mine in a rack case and I got a 120v pancake fan like this;

http://www.buyextras.com/su120x25acme.html

I drilled four holes in the bottom middle of my rack case near the back and zip tied it through the mounting holes and the holes I made in my case.

Keeps my 800RB nice and cool, another benefit it the air blowing through the front of the case can be used to dry sweaty hands like the fans they have at bowling alleys.

Oh and your thinking how sturdy can this be? I did this at least 20 years ago and through many, many gigs it's held up fine. I also drape coiled cables around the fan to hold them in place when the case is closed up.

Yes i have it in a rack case. Do you have any pictures so I can see what you did?

[mpm32]

I'll take a pic for you and post it later today or tom.

[abcdefranklin]

Originally Posted by mpm32

I'll take a pic for you and post it later today or tom.

TY