First rack system and I have a question...

[fourstringgirl]

Should I put the amp in the very bottom space? I'm kind of worried about the weight of it being suspended by a couple of screws. This is my first rack and I have no idea how to do it correctly. I put it in the top space for ease of access but now it seems wrong.

 

[scatbass]

Not sure if there's a "right" answer, but I always put amps and heavier gear in the bottom of the rack. Seems to put less stress on the rack rails that way.

 

[JTE]

I'd put the amp at the bottom. It's still suspended by the four screws, but it's less likely to flex up and down. Also it puts the center of gravity lower, making the whole thing more stable. I would also leave space above it between it and the other stuff for heat dissipation.

John

 

[monkeybass68]

Yes, put the amp at the bottom if its the heaviest unit in the rack!

 

[fourstringgirl]

Not sure if there's a "right" answer, but I always put amps and heavier gear in the bottom of the rack. Seems to put less stress on the rack rails that way.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. Common sense always prevails! I'll change it around today.

Thanks for the input!

 

[fourstringgirl]

I'd put the amp at the bottom. It's still suspended by the four screws, but it's less likely to flex up and down. Also it puts the center of gravity lower, making the whole thing more stable. I would also leave space above it between it and the other stuff for heat dissipation.

John

I think the Korg tuner could go right on top. It only has a depth of, like, an inch. Maybe 2 inches at the most.

 

[Double E]

It does not matter...put it where you want it! I think your reasoning of having easier access outweighs any reason to move it.

 

[Creese]

I prefer mine on the bottom for three reasons:

1)stability/lower center of gravity
2)I have the ability to support the amp from underneath if necessary
3)Heat rises

 

[ArtechnikA]

I put my LH1000 on the bottom just from general principals.
Each of them has a counter argument but I'm leaving it there...

"It's more stable" - but it's a deep rack - it's not a tipping hazard.
"It gets better support from the bottom" - LH rack ears are massively strong and so are my steel rack rails.
"It cools better" - no it doesn't - LH's cool front-to-back...

So each of those _could_ be a good reason for mounting it at the bottom.
In my case, I also have a power strip with lights and it makes sense for that to be at the top - they shine down.

Access to the amp knobs is a pain when it's on the floor, but I never touch them at home and if ever I played out with it, it'd be sitting either on top of the 40" cab or a small table -- so access is not a factor.

Conventional wisdom says bottom, but there's a decent counter-argument for every reason. In your case, put it where you want it...

 

[Jeff K]

Definitely a good idea for the big old power amp to be on the bottom. Here's how I used to do it (before I got rid of the rack system).

 

[Johnny Crab]

Another vote for putting it on the bottom.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Come on man, with bass you've always got to have a solid bottom

 

[Boom762]

I'm having this same thought process today. I have the exact same set-up as the OP but mine is an 8U with an un-usable 1u size slot on bottom due to wheels and carrying handle. I've tried putting the LH on top of the wheel section but it rests crooked. I'm really worried putting the LH on top would eventually cause a failure from the screws being bent off from the weight being all on one side and crushing my korg and everything else. I tried flipping it upside down and using the top as my bottom but, the outside of the rack case has only 2 little wedges to rest on like this and it wobbles back and forth, so definitely not happening.

I was thinking about maybe getting a piece of wood or metal to put right in between to rest the LH on but I don't have it on hand.

I just can't calm myself out of fearing that the 50 or so lbs. will pull down on the back of the mp and cause a drop to the floor. Out of yalls experiences, do you really trust the 4 screws?

A Link to my case HERE

 

[Bob_Ross]

A couple of reasons why you might not want to put the power amp at the bottom:

- depending on the location of the rack's handles, moving the center of gravity too low can make the rack awkward to carry, with a tendency to swing or even flip. This is rarely an issue with ~4sp racks, but as you get into that 6/8/10sp size where it's tall but still too small to warrant casters, it can be problematic. I've encountered a few "wristbuster" racks that were fixed by moving the heaviest component -- the power amp -- so that they were aligned with wherever the side handles attach, be that the top or the middle of the rack.
- as noted, hot air rises...so if some of the other components in the rack are susceptible to heat, you don't want to mount them up above what is often the biggest heat-generator in the rig.

But in either case you do still want to support the rear of the amp so it's not putting excessive strain on the rails/screws

 

[ArtechnikA]

...mine is an 8U with an un-usable 1u size slot on bottom due to wheels and carrying handle.
I just can't calm myself out of fearing that the 50 or so lbs. will pull down on the back of the mp and cause a drop to the floor. Out of yalls experiences, do you really trust the 4 screws?

A few things...

Your link just goes to the site home page, not a specific product...

I've got a 6U rack with wheels and handle ( this one: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SKBR6W ) and haven't had a similar mounting issue. You know you have to take off the LH's feet, yes? Easy - one screw each. If you're doing that and it still doesn't sit right, then yeah, I'd try for some kind of bracing shim. In my case, the amp sits right on the handle section and is quite secure.

The Hartke amp mounting ears are quite sturdy and yes, with quality hardware, I trust them. I investigated the possibility of adding a rear rack mount but I wasn't comfortable with having room inside the amp case for protruding screws in the back where the power modules are. For transportation, were it an issue, I think I'd just recommend transporting the case "face up" so the ears and fasteners are supporting all the load. I trust the screws and the amp ears - I can't speak to the sturdiness of your rack's angle iron sections, but the SKB's are quite beefy.

 

[Boom762]

Fixed the link.

How would you suggest bracing the rear? The side handles bow in right in the center which would be a perfect place for a sheet of metal or something, but I didnt know if maybe they sold slides for these things.

I like the idea of setting it in the middle. I never thought about carrying it and having one end jerk your wrists around. Good call.

 

[ArtechnikA]

How would you suggest bracing the rear? The side handles bow in right in the center which would be a perfect place for a sheet of metal or something, but I didnt know if maybe they sold slides for these things.

Donno how many of the available 7RU you actually need.
I "really" only have 5 RU populated but my 6th is a nice 1U drawer. If I were to put the amp anywhere else, mounting it above a drawer would give it a little more support. It was not easy finding a sturdy, reliable 1U drawer, but I like this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FAQ90RS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[2saddleslab]

Top & bottom. ;-)

 

[ArtechnikA]

How would you suggest bracing the rear? The side handles bow in right in the center which would be a perfect place for a sheet of metal or something, but I didnt know if maybe they sold slides for these things.

Here ya go - a tray.
Mount it to the back of the rack and ta da. I might just do that too...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=1970559082&pf_rd_i=desktop

 

[Boom762]

Wow. I really like that idea dude. Let the amp ears hold the front and the tray in the back. It would even take a space. Terrific idea.