Anyone use these for cooling Amps??

MikeC78

Hello!

http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/coolrectherc.html

I have imited space for two amps, and looking at these for a solution. Has anyone used them or came across anything better or better priced? I'm not looking into DIY. Thanks.

Mike

steveinaz

Yes sir, some time ago I had 2 of these units on my amp---they definitely work, but can be a tad noisy during late night quiet listening. I bypassed the thermostat and just had them run continously. You might want to put some radio shack stick-on rubber feet on the fan frames so the top of your compnent doesn't vibrate or get scratched.

You should get actually 2-units (there sold as a set) for the $139.95 price--I bought from the same people, and they actually sent 2. Call them and verfiy though...

MikeC78

Really?? So I get two of what is pictured on the website?? That would be perfect, I could put a set on each amp as planned! I'll definetly call and see, not going to be as expensive as I thought? Thanks again!

Mike

MikeC78

Steve,

How was the quality of this unit? Is it a nice unit, or is it a cheapo? Can you use a 12v trigger or is it just a wall unit? Thanks again...

Mike

steveinaz

If I remember correctly, the trigger is an "option" item. Mine didn't have it, I just plugged both units into switched outlets on my power center. (I could be wrong on this, it was a few years ago when I had it).

The build is nice, it's like a powder coat kind of texture/semi gloss, that feels very durable. It matches most black audio equipment perfectly. The fit & finish was really nice, no sharp edges, well executed. I think what would really help is if they used a little better quality fans. They are replaceable, so that could be an option. I had 1 fan out of 4 that had a bit of a "bearing noise" for lack of a a better term; but if you have an enclosed rack w/door I don't think you'll hear anything. My rack was open, so I could hear the fans when doing late night listening...

steveinaz

MikeC78 wrote:

Really?? So I get two of what is pictured on the website?? That would be perfect, I could put a set on each amp as planned! I'll definetly call and see, not going to be as expensive as I thought? Thanks again!

Mike

I'm pretty sure a "set" = 2. At least that's what I got for $139.

From the website: "The single module covers an area approximately 15" by 7"; they're interconnected, and are placed over the hottest part of the product to be cooled. Module contains two 5" fans and thermal switch."

Note on the bold: You do get 2 units, you can use both, or just one, depending on how much cooling you need.

They come configured so they blow "into" the equipment, I would guess you could flip the fans around if you wanted to draw hot air out instead.

MikeC78

Thanks for the description Steve.

I thought the "set" was ment for one set(two) of fans, not two units? I'm waiting for a reply, they don't seem to have a phone number? Thanks again...

Mike

steveinaz

Here: www.activethermal.com

michael_w

Might be a long shot but anybody know if a hard drive cooler would work?

Linky

Four bucks each and all you'd need is a power supply.

steveinaz

The problem is noise. The Active Thermal unit (Coolit) has resistors that run the fans at 1/2 speed, this keeps the unit very quiet...

I tried using just a single computer fan, a Vantech Stealth (21dB noise), which is supposed to be the quietest out there, but it was louder than the Coolit. Something to think about.

Ron-P

Radio Shack has fans and step down converters that I use, just plug them into your AVR or the like so they turn on when you turn on your gear. They're inexpensive, quiet and get the job done.

FicmanS

I've thought about doing this for some time, Denon I have gets PLENTY hot...

Some good things to look at in this thread...

MikeC78

Ficman, check these guys out. The same product at a better price.

http://www.smarthome.com/8734c11a.html

Mike

Early B.

Yeah, I ordered one from SmartHome a couple years ago. It works very well. Super quiet. It was difficult for me to determine when they were operating. I had to damn near put my ear on it.

Go for it. I only got one of them for $99.

steveinaz

I also like the "Cool shelf". It would work great for amps with bottom vents.

WilliamM2

To cool mine, I simply run 2 60mm 12v Thermaltake computer fans, but I run them at 5v. Can't even hear them, but the two amps stay cool.

Not all fans will start with only 5v, but most will.

MikeC78

Early B. wrote:

Yeah, I ordered one from SmartHome a couple years ago. It works very well. Super quiet. It was difficult for me to determine when they were operating. I had to damn near put my ear on it.

Go for it. I only got one of them for $99.

Early,

Is there a way to mount these on the side of an amp? Curious how these stay in place, do they just sit on top with nothing affixed to them?

Steve??

Mike

scottvamp

I bought a couple of these off ebay 3 months ago. http://cgi.ebay.com/Receiver-Cooling-Fan-for-Home-Theater-Receiver-5-1-Amp_W0QQitemZ200039044196QQihZ010QQcategoryZ14981QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They plug into my Monster power unit and come on with the amps. They sit on top on my double stacked Monster amps and the are well built, fairly quite, and seem like they are going to last a long time. Major improvement in the operating temp. I have them pulling out the hot are from the amps. I can attach pics if you want. I can always build a mounting system later but they do exactly what i need them too for now.

MikeC78

Scott,

Thanks for the info! Yes, please post some pics! I'd love to see how you have them setup.

Mike

scottvamp

Nothing fancy right now but you get the point. I have a riser for the HTS5100 so not to get hot on top the amps and to give a space for the fans. The power packs are fairly small and are plugged into the outlets on the left side. I like this because it was "plug & go" option and these fans move some air. The tops of the amps were around 118f and now the amps are cool to the touch. I was suprised my self. I paid under $50 for both.

MikeC78

Very nice Scott, thanks for posting the pics!

Are those fans positioned to suck air out or blow air in?

Mike

scottvamp

MikeC78 wrote:

Very nice Scott, thanks for posting the pics!

Are those fans positioned to suck air out or blow air in?

Mike

They suck air out from the amps and do it really well.

MikeC78

scottvamp wrote:

They suck air out from the amps and do it really well.

One more question!:D

I'm not at home right now, I'm in Iraq.:cool:

Is the back of that amp the hottest part, is that where the transistors are located? I can't remember? Thanks again!

Mike

scottvamp

On my amps, YES, the fans are directly over the transformers where most of the heat is.....

MikeC78

I have 2 Monster 3250's also Scott. Thank you!

Mike

scottvamp

MikeC78 wrote:

I have 2 Monster 3250's also Scott. Thank you!

Mike

I have really been enjoying mine. The more they break in the better they sound. Detail and spacious at any volume.
Hope you are going to have fun with yours - they rock!!!!!

MikeC78

I had one of the center channels burn out in a weeks worth of use, Monster sent me a replacement within a week. (Even bought from unauthorized on Ebay!)

Besides the little issue I had with one of them, they are absolutely awesome amps! You can't beat them for the cheap price they can be had! I have more clean power now than I know what to do with!

Mike

FicmanS

One thing that is bothering me about most of these units...? With the design I'm seeing, wouldn't the cover design actually promote the hot air going back into the unit rather than disperse it? Looks to me the cover points the air to go in a downward direction, wouldn't it be better to just port the hot air straight up and out?

MikeC78

Are you referring to the "Cool-It II" that I listed in my first post?

That option works fine in more ventilated areas, it will push the hot air out of the ventilated amp. In an enclosed situation it would be best to suck the air out, but either or can be done. In either situation it would be best to have a intake and exhaust, a movement of airflow.

I'm going to use the Cool-it II on the front vents, and use the fans that Scott has listed in the rear vents as shown to suck the hot air out. I will have plenty of air flow moving then.

Mike

steveinaz

You have to check the cooling "scheme' of your equipment; ie, side vents, bottom vents, top vents, etc. Then use the fans in a manner that will promote the most air movement, and evacuate the hot air. It's usually best to have the fans "pull" cool air across your heatsinks and exhaust it upward, but not all racks/setups can be done this way.

Mike, to answer your earlier question, the Coolit just sits on top of your equipment---thats why I suggested the radio Shack stick-on rubber feet as extra insurance against vibration/scratches.

MikeC78

Thanks Steve!

I figured for the price that the "Cool-It" would at least come with some rubber feet? I see that I get that with the $20 Ebay option.:rolleyes:

Those fans you got are one hell of a deal Steve, thanks again!