Amplifier question.....

shawn474

I just rearranged the rig to put all components in a tv stand. I wanted to clean up the clutter, put everything in one place and do some cable management. I feel like i accomplished most of that and am happy with the app rearrange. I put my new to me b&k av5000 series II amplifier in the top left cubby in the attached picture.



My previous amp (same amp but series I) was stored on an open air shelf and ran pretty hot as I hear all b&k amps do. I am a little worried about the heat as it seems to get pretty hot in the cubby. I leave the amp on all the time. As a reference, i have about 1.75 inches of clearance on the top and over 2.5 inches on each side.


I guess I have 3 questions:
1. Should I be worried about the heat?
2. If so, would installing a cooling fan be appropriate to run constantly? Or is there such thing as a fan that has a thermostat that will kick on once the cabinet temp reaches a certain point?
3. Is there a way to wire the amp so that it turns on and off with the AVR? My hope is that there is some way to do this as it would give the amp some "rest" and allow it to cool while not in use.

My other thought was to simply drill equally spaced holes in the side of the cabinet and cover with a decorative mesh (like the doors on salamander racks). It was a cheap enough tv stand that I don't mind doing that and think I could make it look pretty nice.


I didn't think about the heat issue until I had the tv on and watching it for awhile and reached in to reroute a wire. It wasn't HOT but the warmth was definitely noticeable. Thanks in advance for any input.

Shawn

nooshinjohn

I don't see any worries with just setting it up and leaving this as they are. As long as you are putting the BK at the top left, you will be fine.

cincycat13

First all the amp is overkill and you should sell it to me quickly. Not sure how "hot" your heat is but heat as I am sure you know not good for electronics. Does the manual suggest minimum clearances?

I did buy a fan off amazon for my Oinker 5007 after the dreaded hdmi fail that runs off thermostat and is quiet but not sure they my brand is made any more.

I thought the series II has the 12v trigger so you might be able to cycle it with the avr.

Good luck and feel free to pm me your Paypal addy nice piece!

shawn474

Ok so sounds like a fan might work. But can't get over the thought that keeping it powered on all the time is bad for it. I don't think this amp has a 12 volt trigger. I will have to recheck tomorrow. If it does it's an easy fix with one cable.....

If not would something like one of these work? Or am I over thinking this?
amazon.com/Niles-CS12V-Current-sensing-12-volt-trigger/dp/B004TW23TQ

forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/diy-12v-trigger-outlet-to-automatically-power-on-off-devices.313534/

Thorton

Go to Coolerguys.com. They sell a temperature controlled unit (not too expensive) with a probe you can place on top of the amp. You can manually adjust what temperature you want the fans to come on and off at.

maximillian

I have my AVR trigger this via 12V.

http://www.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=443690

The output outlets are banked and can be selected which ones you want triggered. Then connect the amp to the triggered outlet. It also provides surge protection so it's good to have for a general setup. You can hook up AC fans if you need.

I've got this furniture for my living room. It has Pio Elite SC-5. No separate amp but there's a bunch of other electronics. It's spacious enough that it doesn't get warm inside. By the way, the center shelf above the drawers fits an LSiC perfectly!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/kathy-ireland-bradley-tv-stand/4766715.p?id=1218523220973&skuId=4766715

shawn474

I like that Belkin but its way out of my price range......I am looking at this model surge protector.
amazon.com/Panamax-M8-AV-PRO-Management-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B0030TWBPU


The way I interpret is if I plug my AVR into one of the plugs labelled 1-4, it will act as the "master control". I would connect the 12 volt trigger cable from the AVR to the Surge Protector. Then plug the amplifier and any other component that I want to turn on with the AVR into plugs 5-8. That way, when I turn on the AVR, the 12volt current will trigger the amplifier to power on. Am i correct in this assumption. I really think that temperature isn't an issue per se, but would like to power it down automatically when not in use to cool down and not keep a constant temp in the cabinet if that makes any sense. Thoughts?

shawn474

So i got everything today and installed this evening. I used the coolerguys recommended above and contacted them tomake sure it was sufficient. Glen at coolerguys was AWESOME! I installed it in the back of the cabinet behind the amp and had it blow out the rear to exhaust the hot air as he suggested. I plugged that into the switched outlet of my receiver. Now whenever the avr turns on so does the fan. It is very quiet too.

Next i mounted the panamax on the wall behind the cabinet. Plugged the avr into plug 1. Ran a mono cable for 12v trigger from back of avr into the surge protector. Plugged the amplifier into plug 5 of the panamax. Now when i turn the avr on the amp goes on and same happens to power off.

All in all i couldnt be happier with both purchases. Both companies were very helpful over the phone and helped me make sure i was purchasing what was needed for my application. Very happy with the quality of the products, the helpfulness of the companies and the results that i got.

drumminman

Leaving it on all the time is probably less stressful than cycling it on and off. Many amp manufacturers put the on-off switch on the back panel since their recommendation is to only turn it off if you won't be using it for an extended period of time, electrical storms in the area, etc.

The cooling fan with the temperature probe mentioned above sounds like a good idea.

shawn474

I may go ahead and remove the 12v trigger. The fan alone seems to be taking care of the heat issue. These little fans are very quiet and work surprisingly well. Before I could feel the heat coming out of the cabinet. Now it feels MUCH cooler. I don't have the fan with the temperature sensor; I plug it into the switched outlet of the AVR to run when the AVR is on. I don't hear it at all and the materials are high quality. The ONLY complaint that I have is when plugging in the pigtal connector it puched one of the pins out of place and through the back of the connector. It still makes enough contact to work but makes me nervous about a possible short. I may just clip the pigtail out and hardwire the fan to the plug bypassing the pigtail. I have emailed coolerguys to let them know (after some research it seems to be pretty common). Ordered the fan through amazon so not sure if I have to return through Amazon or if coolerguys will just send a replacement. I have been impressed with their service so either way i am sure it will get worked out.

shawn474

well, it seems that the amp is NOT turning on and off with the avr.......I was mistaken because the light was out there really was no way to know. I got around to fixing the light and it stays on constantly even with the 12 volt trigger cable connected to the surge protector. I went through the setup menu and activated the 12 volt trigger on the avr. After testing it didn't work - meaning the amp stayed on all the time regardless of avr. Reading through my manual for the pioneer vsx94txh it seems that the 12 volt trigger will only work with components that have a standby mode. The amp only has the push button on/off. Is there a work around for this or am I S.O.L. Trying to get the amp to turn on and off with the avr?

shawn474

nbrowser wrote: »

Try testing it with the amplifiers power switch in the OFF position. The 12V trigger might hit a relay inside the amp to close and internal power switch.

I tried that too. Didnt work. It's weird, the surge protector has a green light by the 12 volt trigger. Once I plug the cable into it the light goes out - almost seems like the cable trips the signal.
-
The other thing I think might work is this:

If I use this cable:



to plug into the 12 volt trigger output of avr to control in jack behind the amp pictured here:




and then press the "ENABLE" button. From my guess that would only power on the amp when the signal is transferred. Am I correct in my guess here? Just trying to get feedback beofre I fry anything hooking it up wrong.

devani

that sound right...the button is not pushed "IN" position and the plugged into the CTRL IN...

why is your LEVEL 1 is not same as the others?

shawn474

Thats not my amp; just generic picture off the intraweb to illustrate my question.

shawn474

Got it fixed and working......12 volt trigger (3.5mm end) from AVR to rca "ctrl in" to amp with button in the enable position. All is well and might see a few cents a month improvement on the electric bill!!!!