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Rack build DONE!!!

#21
Looks cool, I'd rip apart the Art PDU and swap that red display out for Invalid Link Removed (if you can find the right size, not sure if this is it) and a blue switch.

But why didn't you finish the back with a connector panel and make it a "sealed" unit? That would make it complete in my book.
 
#22
NKBassman said:
Where did you get the fan and light assembly?
Click to expand...
I got the rack fans here: http://www.rackfans.com/index.php

They also sell on eBay but I went directly to the site and I think I saved a couple bucks from what they were on eBay.

You can custom make your own with 1-4 fans in a 2 rack space.
Composite can be black or clear.
Choose red, blue, blacklight (purple), or green for the fan color (or a combo of multiple colors).
Then choose the kind of grill with black or chrome wire or pre-made design they have.

They also have a 1 space assembly available, but those are more expensive. The fans are super quiet and barely hear them. The Crown fans are the only thing I can hear in this rig.

My unit cost less than $60 shipped USPS Priority - had it in about 2 days.
 
#23
JackANSI said:
Looks cool, I'd rip apart the Art PDU and swap that red display out for Invalid Link Removed (if you can find the right size, not sure if this is it) and a blue switch.

But why didn't you finish the back with a connector panel and make it a "sealed" unit? That would make it complete in my book.
Click to expand...
Thanks, and that would be cool - but probably beyond my skill level and I'd hate to ruin my brand new power conditioner :D

I'm not leaving the power cables for the preamp and amp in there for transport, so I still need to be able to reach in and plug those in, so I'll probably just leave the back open for now unless I get a couple 1" power cables.
 
#24
jamzcl said:
Thanks, and that would be cool - but probably beyond my skill level and I'd hate to ruin my brand new power conditioner :D

I'm not leaving the power cables for the preamp and amp in there for transport, so I still need to be able to reach in and plug those in, so I'll probably just leave the back open for now unless I get a couple 1" power cables.
Click to expand...

I did my old rack up with Neutrik PowerCon's and was very happy. I used an old 12ga extension cord's female end with about 12" of wire left to take the back of the PowerCon to the PDU (so I didn't have to cut off the PDU's cord).

4990438182_8356418f11.jpg


Left to right: power-in, power-out (switched), Ch 1 + 2 (4C), Ch 2, dry balanced, wet balanced, effects loop R + S.

I just stored the 14' power-in and power-out cables in the rear lid so they never got forgotten ;)
 
#26
Looks awesome Brah! Mine is very similar, 'ceptin' I'm using Marshall power section. I have a few more spaces as my rack is doing double duty for guitar and bass... but very similar look. I have affixed the Marshall logo to one of my vents, and have the blacklite led fans in the back peering through the vents. We must've been rack brethren in a parallel universe! Are you diggin' the Ampeg pre? I'm using the Bmax-T and lovin' it.
Great job!
-Mick
 
#29
JackANSI said:
Looks cool, I'd rip apart the Art PDU and swap that red display out for Invalid Link Removed (if you can find the right size, not sure if this is it) and a blue switch.

But why didn't you finish the back with a connector panel and make it a "sealed" unit? That would make it complete in my book.
Click to expand...

Dammit Jack! I thought I was done too... Thanks alot! Is the rack blank specific to the neutrik connector? If so, where to get? thanks
-Mick
 
#30
BassmanPaul said:
I see your fan panel as being unnecessary. The Crown is pulling from the front and venting out the back. All your additional fans are doing is cooling the pre-amp which doesn't need it. More weight for nothing gained.

Paul
Click to expand...

Hey Paul,
I respectfully disagree... The fans (at least in my power amp) in the back of the power amp are drawing in, flooding air across the tubes, then venting out the top.. where the pre(s) are. If the back panel fans are exhausting, it's taking the heat that is being blown up from the power amp and exhausting it. My pre's are tube pre's to boot, so that will generate it's own heat.... Cooler = Better.
-Mick
 
#31
Adlerburg said:
Looks awesome Brah! Mine is very similar, 'ceptin' I'm using Marshall power section. I have a few more spaces as my rack is doing double duty for guitar and bass... but very similar look. I have affixed the Marshall logo to one of my vents, and have the blacklite led fans in the back peering through the vents. We must've been rack brethren in a parallel universe! Are you diggin' the Ampeg pre? I'm using the Bmax-T and lovin' it.
Great job!
-Mick
Click to expand...
We must've been -and thank you :D

I do love the Ampeg pre too.

I also agree that even tho the pre isn't putting off a lot of heat, the fans blowing thru there pretty much take care of what is there. And the fan panel is really VERY light...but the wall-wart ain't :hmm:
 
#32
And thanks to JackANSI, I just bought a 6" & 1.5' power cables so my preamp & amp can be plugged in all the time without the longer power cables hanging out the back and me having to plug them in each time.

Then I'm thinking about getting two 2 spc Middle Atlantic vented hinged panels so I can still get access above if I need to and then access to the Speakon outs on the bottom.

Link Removed

....so I guess I should change the title of this thread. Damn you, Talkbass :mad:


:D
 
#35
Adlerburg said:
Hey Paul,
I respectfully disagree... The fans (at least in my power amp) in the back of the power amp are drawing in, flooding air across the tubes, then venting out the top.. where the pre(s) are. If the back panel fans are exhausting, it's taking the heat that is being blown up from the power amp and exhausting it. My pre's are tube pre's to boot, so that will generate it's own heat.... Cooler = Better.
-Mick
Click to expand...

But we are not talking about YOUR amp. Pre-amp tubes generate comparatively little heat. Most tube pre-amps mount these internally for protection. There is actually very little ventilation needed. In tube amps you'll see the pre-amp tubes encased in screening cans. No ventilation except that provided by the air outside the can.

Paul
 
#36
BassmanPaul said:
But we are not talking about YOUR amp. Pre-amp tubes generate comparatively little heat. Most tube pre-amps mount these internally for protection. There is actually very little ventilation needed. In tube amps you'll see the pre-amp tubes encased in screening cans. No ventilation except that provided by the air outside the can.

Paul
Click to expand...

Ok... my bad. After a closer look, I see the Crown is vented in the front. Therefore any heat from the amp is exhausted out of the rack from it's own fans. I would also assume the Crown is SS, and the fact that my amp has 8 power tubes, 4 AX7s, and the venting is on the top blowing into the rack (not the best cooling design) might justify external fans for my stuff, but not others...... Gotcha!
Although my pre's seem to get pretty warm on their own accord.
-Mick
 
#37
Well, the rack has progressed to its final stage :D

After going to the new Crown XLS2000 DriveCore amp from the XLS602D I was able to shed 18lbs and go to a more shallow case...and add 50 more watts per channel :bassist:

Out is the fullsize SKB rack case - and in is this beauty of a Road Ready ATA rack effect case. Also new are the Middle Atlantic hinged and vented panels to keep everything tucked in and cool. The bottom vent will remain open to hook up the Speakons when in use.

Love the sound, love the looks, love the weight and this will be the LAST incarnation of my racked stereo setup until I decide to sell someday.

Feel free to critique ;)

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