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Ampeg PF500 Fan noise any fixes?

Papasteveross

Papasteveross

Feb 28, 2012
18
38
69
Minnesota
#1
Does anybody know of a fix for the loud fan on the PF500.
This thread has been out there before but haven't seen a fix\different fan etc. With the fan the way it I cant practice with it. I'm sure at a loud bar it wouldn't be an issue. But if your gonna fork out 350 buck it should be more than a one trick pony!! Its to distracting! Ive got a David Eden 330 time traveler that is very quiet.cant even hear the fan when it turns on. but I need more power to match with myPB210H cab. I might have to send this back!!! Maybe Ill fork out the extra cash for the David Eden 550!!!
Any suggestions???
 
#3
Papasteveross said:
Does anybody know of a fix for the loud fan on the PF500.
This thread has been out there before but haven't seen a fix\different fan etc. With the fan the way it I cant practice with it. I'm sure at a loud bar it wouldn't be an issue. But if your gonna fork out 350 buck it should be more than a one trick pony!! Its to distracting! Ive got a David Eden 330 time traveler that is very quiet.cant even hear the fan when it turns on. but I need more power to match with myPB210H cab. I might have to send this back!!! Maybe Ill fork out the extra cash for the David Eden 550!!!
Any suggestions???
Click to expand...

Best way to get rid of the fan noise is to get rid of it and replace with a Tone Hammer 500 or GB Streamliner 600. Ampeg doesn't seem to find it necessary to use audio quality components in their products. Makes me wonder what else they compromise on...
 
#5
There's not really anything you can do about the fan noise. Since the amp chassis is small, only a small fan will fit, and since its small it has to spin pretty fast to move enough air - that's what causes the noise. Replacing the fan with a quieter one will probably cause it to overheat and will certainly void your warranty.

I own a PF-500 too, and yes, the fan is pretty annoying if you're practicing solo at home.

Any suggestions???
Click to expand...
Pick one:

- Buy a practice amp for practicing. I bought a used Acoustic B20 at GC for cheap, like $60.

- Use the headphone jack on your PF-500

- Move the PF-500 head somewhere the noise is less noticeable. Make sure the unit can get good airflow.

- Return the unit and buy an amp without a fan.
 
#6
snowtraveler65 said:
Best way to get rid of the fan noise is to get rid of it and replace with a Tone Hammer 500 or GB Streamliner 600. Ampeg doesn't seem to find it necessary to use audio quality components in their products. Makes me wonder what else they compromise on...
Click to expand...


hmm...$299 for the Ampeg PF-350 or $699 for the Aggie or $829 for the Streamliner 600.

You're comparing a good quality BUDGET amp to what some consider a mid/high level amp?

A weak comparison.
 
#8
Crater said:
There's not really anything you can do about the fan noise. Since the amp chassis is small, only a small fan will fit, and since its small it has to spin pretty fast to move enough air - that's what causes the noise. Replacing the fan with a quieter one will probably cause it to overheat and will certainly void your warranty.

I own a PF-500 too, and yes, the fan is pretty annoying if you're practicing solo at home.

Pick one:

- Buy a practice amp for practicing. I bought a used Acoustic B20 at GC for cheap, like $60.

- Use the headphone jack on your PF-500

- Move the PF-500 head somewhere the noise is less noticeable. Make sure the unit can get good airflow.

- Return the unit and buy an amp without a fan.
Click to expand...

+1
Buy a 20 ft chord and stick it in your closet two rooms away. Who cares, for the price and power and wieght the last thing I care about is the fan noise. I never play that soft anyway and I am glad it is moving some good air. Mine has never been warm to the touch.
 
#9
My laptop I'm typing on has a louder fan than my PF500 ever was. An unplugged electric guitar or bass in my hands can and did easily cover up the volume of the fan. :hmm:

Broadstbully22 said:
+1
Buy a 20 ft chord and stick it in your closet two rooms away. Who cares, for the price and power and wieght the last thing I care about is the fan noise. I never play that soft anyway and I am glad it is moving some good air. Mine has never been warm to the touch.
Click to expand...

That's my "old" PF500 he's referring to. :p
 
#10
christw said:
My laptop I'm typing on has a louder fan than my PF500 ever was. An unplugged electric guitar or bass in my hands can and did easily cover up the volume of the fan. :hmm:



That's my "old" PF500 he's referring to. :p
Click to expand...

Yes it is and I am highly impressed. Selling the pro 3 this weekend to a friend because how much I like it. I am a believer.

My whole rig wieghs 70 pounds now and is 500 watts at 4ohms and fits in the trunk of a saab. Sounds unreal, better then the pro 3 and the 8x10s I was running.
 
#11
Many here love the Mesa Walkabout and seem 'at peace' with the fact that the fan is WAY louder than in the PF500.
I just bought one and although it is certainly louder than my WT330 (just like you) I figure I will use my little Peavey Microbass to practice and on a gig, the fan won't bother me.

Basically, if you don't want fan noise at this power level, I believe you will have to live with a bigger amp and/or an amp topology other than Class D.
 
#12
chetmz said:
Many here love the Mesa Walkabout and seem 'at peace' with the fact that the fan is WAY louder than in the PF500....
Click to expand...

I swapped mine out in the W.A and it was waaaaay quieter.

If you find out the voltage, size and airflow for the PF500 fan I'll bet you will find a whole range of quieter computer case fans. There is a global army of computer DIY nerds whose idea of a good night out is researching the quietest fan for a given application. I'd be disappointed if you couldn't find one one with flashing lights and dragons on it. :cool:
 
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#13
I think the real problem is that the fan appears to run at full speed as soon as you turn on the amp, and it doesn't ramp up as heat rises. You hear it in a bedroom, and probably in a dead quiet studio, but you won't even begin to hear it at practice or stage. It's quiet, just not silent. Not a deal breaker for me because this thing sounds good.
Wes
 
#14
I've done two pit orchestra gigs in the last couple months. One was with my PF500 and one was with my GK fusion 500. The fan in the fusion only comes on when the amp needs to cool down so it's not continuously running, but let me tell you that when the band wasn't playing and that fan came on, everyone looked over to see where the noise was coming from. I mean it sounded like a prop airplane starting up. The PF I switched it on and the fan starts up and keeps going. Yeah it's you can hear it in a quiet pit, but after a minute it's just quiet white noise and you tune it out. The fan on the PF is not loud at all, unless maybe you are sitting behind the amp practicing with the fan blowing in your ear.
 
#15
Hi,
Can anyboy tell me, if the amp produces more heat with a speaker cabinet connected?? I simply dont know, as I use the amp only in the studio.
...and my abilities as an electrician are somewhat very limited...
 
#16
I have a few hours on my new 500 and the fan noise is not bad at all, the ringing in my ears is louder.

After 3 hours of play I also checked for heat and it was still at room temperature.

My old Hartke head had a loud fan, I put a small thermostat in it to have it come on at a set temperature. Worked well and barely ran..I also made some vents over the tube which probably helped though..
 
#17
If the fan in the PF500 is the same (or similar) to the Micro VR (which is the PF's better looking little brother), then it is indeed a "computer" type fan.

vin*tone is correct that
There is a global army of computer DIY nerds whose idea of a good night out is researching the quietest fan for a given application. I'd be disappointed if you couldn't find one one with flashing lights and dragons on it
Click to expand...
 
#19
the fraed said:
Hi,
Can anyboy tell me, if the amp produces more heat with a speaker cabinet connected?? I simply dont know, as I use the amp only in the studio.
...and my abilities as an electrician are somewhat very limited...
Click to expand...

All amps run hotter when they are driving a load. Class D produce less because they are more efficient and less power is wasted as heat.
 

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