How much rackspace?

[wrongway]

I have a Gallien-Kruger RB700 bass amp that I would like to mount in a "rolling rack case" along with a tuner and power conditioner and I noticed that the GK amp has a fan on the top of the unit rather than the back so I was worried about it getting too hot if I don't give it some breathing room. I was thinking about doing something like this...

Tuner on top
1U vent
GK Amp
1U vent
Power Conditioner

I was thinking about putting one of those fans in the back (top 2U of space). Is this overkill or what??? I have a tendency to overdo / overthink things (if you couldn't tell). Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[JustDavid]

I believe you'd be fine for airflow with 1U over the GK. I'd do it.

I'd put the head on the bottom, provide gap, then the shallower of the other rack items next up, then the deeper.

 

[debassr]

I would just put the power conditioner on top and the GK below it. No vents.

 

[rustynuts]

I would just put the power conditioner on top and the GK below it. No vents.

If the fan is toward the rear that's what I would do too.

 

[Kelly Lee]

Most tuners and power conditioners don't have much depth. If the fan on the GK is more to the back you probably wouldn't need an extra spaces. I would mount them like this...

Power conditioner - Top
Tuner
GK amp - Bottom

BTW, one little rack tip I would like to pass on. Get the smallest rack that will fit your gear. Trust me and you will thank me later!

 

[wrongway]

Thanks for the info guys. The fan is pretty much center depth-wise. It's actually an intake and it looks like it blows the warm air out the front of the unit so I should get plenty of cool air in from the back since it will be open while I'm playing. It looks like GK recommends 1U open above the amp so that puts me at a 5U rack. I think SKB makes a 5U rolling rack but I was looking at the Gator and they only make a 6U. Decisions, decisions.......

 

[Kelly Lee]

Will the tuner and PC block the inlet to the fan? If not, you will only need a 4sp rack.

 

[serein2j]

I have 6 space rack with

Power Conditioner (1U)
Tuner (1U)
Preamp(1U)
Compressor(1U)
Power Amp (2U)

 

[bagman]

I have a SKB 8 space
Power Conditioner
Wireless
Tuner
1 empty space
GK head.

Works great, room in the back for power & speaker cables.

Box it up and roll it out.

 

[Brian Clark]

We always recommend leaving one rack space open above the 700RB-II or 1001RB-II for ventilation. There is no need to leave a rack space open below the amp.

 

[wrongway]

Thanks everyone. I measured the tuner (that being the shallowest of the components) and it will cover more than half of the fan so I think I'll play it safe and leave 1 space open above the GK.

 

[Femto]

Yeah so long as there's 1U spare above your GK, you'll be fine. I have mine in a 6U rack with two other 1U units so I've got space for another unit as and when I want one and the vent gap also comes in handy for the cables that come from the back of all the other stuff to the effects loop which is on the front of the GK. That is the one and only gripe I have about my GK1001RB. For me, the effects loop sockets would be more convenient on the back of the amp. Never mind though.