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Ampeg svt4 cooling ideas

Clean sound 80

Clean sound 80

Jun 11, 2017
20
9
68
Englewood Florida
#1
Hello, just joined the sight, very cool place. I have a Ampeg svt pro 4 running it mono bridged, trying to find a way to keep it cooler, I have 3 high end rack fans, put need a way to get air flow to the vents on the side (bad idea side vents). The amp is in a road case. Can I cut the sides of the case to expose the vents and mount a rack fan to the outside of the case?
 
#5
BassmanPaul said:
A rack style power amp that has side vents is designed to operate inside a standard rack. Don’t dilute the strength a a rack case in a misguided effort to add cooling that isn’t needed. Running any amplifier in bridge is running it hard - it will get hot.
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Bassman Paul has a good point.
The rack I modified had wooden sides.
I should have mentioned that earlier.

As far as selling your other amp. If you want to sell it here on TB, or even discuss value, I believe you need to have a supporting membership. That's one of the perks. Otherwise try to find your amp selling used somewhere else and see what it sold for.
 
#10
Clean sound 80 said:
Thanks for your help guys, not trying to get anyone in trouble or start any drama, I'm sure I'm in BT jail now lol. Thanks again for the info
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It would be very remiss of me if I did not welcome you to Talk Bass. Welcome and may your sound always be without distortion! :D

If you would be so kind as to fill in your location and age in your profile I, amongst others, would be grateful. It helps us to offer better advice. :)
 
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#11
BassmanPaul said:
It would be very remiss of me if I did not welcome you to Talk Bass. Welcome and may your sound always be without distortion! :D
Click to expand...
Naw! I've done far worse here.
TB jail ain't that bad if you like tuna noodle casserole. I've got a "get out of jail free card" if you ever need it.
And yes! To second BPaul, please accept this "laurel, and hardy handshake" welcoming you to TB.
Bonus points if you name the two movies that include the above quotes.
 
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#12
Old Garage-Bander said:
Naw! I've done far worse here.
TB jail ain't that bad if you like tuna noodle casserole. I've got a "get out of jail free card" if you ever need it.
And yes! To second BPaul, please accept this "laurel, and hardy handshake" welcoming you to TB.
Bonus points if you name the two movies that include the above quotes.
Click to expand...

Blazing Saddles is the second, not sure about the first.
 
#14
I have an svt 4pro running mono bridged in a gator case. I noticed it was getting pretty hot, so i drilled a bunch of holes in the side of the case where the air vents are located on the amp. It seems to help. The head and case are no longer scorching hot after a 4 hour jam session. Im not too worried about the structural integrity of the case. Its one of the molded plastic cases.
 
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#16
Clean sound 80 said:
Hello, just joined the sight, very cool place. I have a Ampeg svt pro 4 running it mono bridged, trying to find a way to keep it cooler, I have 3 high end rack fans, put need a way to get air flow to the vents on the side (bad idea side vents). The amp is in a road case. Can I cut the sides of the case to expose the vents and mount a rack fan to the outside of the case?
Click to expand...

Actually, I place one of those $5 clip on fans on the back of my case and have never had that first problem and I run Mono bridged all the time - for (generally) 3 hours at a time - sometimes 4 straight hours.
 
#18
BassmanPaul said:
A rack style power amp that has side vents is designed to operate inside a standard rack. Don’t dilute the strength a a rack case in a misguided effort to add cooling that isn’t needed. Running any amplifier in bridge is running it hard - it will get hot.
Click to expand...
Right. All it really needs is an open back and about an inch on either side, and any rack will do that. I used a 4 Pro on a few fly gigs lately and it was in a small rack with no side vents and it was fine.

Clean sound 80 said:
I have a nice Gator case, and I don't want to have to drill any holes in it. Don't know why Ampeg designed the vents that way.
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Well it's been a design that's worked solidly for 20 years now, so unless it's imperative for you to run your 4 Pro and never see it get above room temperature, I wouldn't worry too much about it.
 
#20
not sure how your mounted in the rack but they recommend a minimum of one rack space above and below the amp. the fan pulls air from the rear and exits the sides. so there should be no rear obstructions of course. increase spacing above and below the amp, and yes external fans are recommended if you have excessive heat. you should be good unless you dont have enough space above and below and likewise allowing more ventilation on the exit sides by adding ventilation sounds like a good idea. technically not needed if your not shutting it down.....but..... in bridged mode its gonna get very hot though with a 4ohm load its like operating it at 2ohms each side in stereo. so yes lots of heat for sure
 
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