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Racking a PF350

tgriley62

tgriley62

Jan 25, 2011
1,413
2,092
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S.E. Mo
#1
Need some advice. I currently have a 4U rack which contains a 2U Hartke LH500 & a 1U Furman power strip (8 outlets in the back) so I have 1U of space left. I am wanting to get the Ampeg PF350 as a second head. I assume that the PF350 at 2 inches tall would be a 2U head. My questions are: Since the Furman is only 3 inches deep & the PF350 is 11 inches deep if I were to mount the Furman on the back rails and the PF350 in front of it would the PF350 have enough space for cooling? and if the cooling would be an issue, if I removed the feet from the PF350 would that make it only 1U tall?

Thanks
 
#2
I would want an inch between them. The PF350 doesn't run very hot at all, and as long as there's a little space between them, I think you'll be OK. But it's still taller than 1U with the feet off so you'd still need 2U.
 
#3
JimmyM said:
I would want an inch between them. The PF350 doesn't run very hot at all, and as long as there's a little space between them, I think you'll be OK. But it's still taller than 1U with the feet off so you'd still need 2U.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jimmy. Just a quick guestament at the rack looks like there would be just a little over one inch between the PF350 and the Furman
 
#4
Between that and the Furman only taking up one rack space, I think you'll be OK, especially if you're just using it as a backup. Would try it for an hour or two first, though. Wouldn't go right to a gig with a setup like that.
 
#8
S-Bigbottom said:
What ^ said. If you want to keep the Furman, remember when you plug in a cord or wall wart that it will stick out more than 1 inch.
Click to expand...
I assume he's not going to use it with the back still attached :D

Anyway, I'm not against Furmans like some, although I think many of their products are grossly overpriced and you're just paying for lights. But I have a $50 Furman that I thought was pretty convenient when I had a rack, so while a power strip will do the same thing, Furmans do make it a little more tidy.
 
#10
Well, I was sort of undershooting.... the one I use (I don't have a rack) actually cost more like $30. It's one you'd see computer guys using with a big rack of servers. It has a 12 or 15 foot power cord, and IIRC redundant surge protection. It has grounded and ungrounded outlets. The ungrounded outlets leave space for wall warts, so you don't lose receptacles. I got it about 10 or so years ago. It's at the rehearsal space so I can't tell you exactly what it is. It's fairly sizeable, (guessing) like 8" x 12". The equivalent might be more like $50 or more these days...
 
#12
Go to a good Electronics store and buy a square computer fan and mount it to the back rail and use that to keep everything cool.
12038_Manufacturer_of_AC_110v%2F240v_Ventilation_Fan_for_PC.jpg
 
#13
Most Furmans have rFI protection and little more. Two or three ceramic disc caps, two or three inductors and an MOV voltage spike supressor (which is usually worn out after a year of use.) Many amps have most of that in the amp.

A standard power strip is fine. If the amp doesn't have vents on the top or bottom, additional space isn't an issue, as long as any vents and fans are clear and enough cool air is available. My old GK1001RB had the fan on top. Space needed. My PF500 doesn't need it.
 
#14
Steve Dallman said:
Most Furmans have rFI protection and little more. Two or three ceramic disc caps, two or three inductors and an MOV voltage spike supressor (which is usually worn out after a year of use.) Many amps have most of that in the amp.

A standard power strip is fine. If the amp doesn't have vents on the top or bottom, additional space isn't an issue, as long as any vents and fans are clear and enough cool air is available. My old GK1001RB had the fan on top. Space needed. My PF500 doesn't need it.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Looks like I can mount a power strip on top of the rack in the back, remove the Furman & have 2U of space to mount the PF350 on a shelf. Since the rack is 15 inches deep & the PF350 is only 11 inches deep should have plenty of space for the PF350's rear mounted fan
 
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#15
doesn't the PF350 have a slanted front panel (my PF500 does). Just keep that in mind when you rack it. I would think that would be a small issue, but still ...
when operating right, these amps do run very cool so I don't expect you would need any additional cooling.
good luck
 

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