Cooling fans in AV cabinets?

GZ
GZ Posts: 343
edited December 2007 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
Looking to add a cooling fan in my AV cabinet to keep everything nice and cool in there. I did cut out the back panel to aid in access and wiring, but it does get abit warm in there when the Pio Elite 84 is cranking. I've heard/read that 12v DC fans will not cause as much interference as 120v AC fans. I'm leaning toward this one because of its low dB rating:

http://www.coolerguys.com/comcool.html

Also looked at the variable speed one from windy willy but they don't list a dB rating. I want it as quiet as posssible.

http://www.windywilly.com/id63.html

Any thoughts???
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Comments

  • phipiper10
    phipiper10 Posts: 955
    edited November 2007
    My windy willy's were relatively quiet for about two years but have gotten louder. I'm considering some replacements of the same or different if you or anyone else can confirm a quiter fan that is already put together. ( I'm not splicing or adapting anything.) It has to be already made as a final product.

    Keep me posted if you come up with any good alternatives.
    Analog Source: Rega P3-24 Exact 2 w/GT delrin platter & Neo TT-PSU Digital Source: Lumin T2 w/Roon (NUC) DAC: Denafrips Pontus II Phono Preamp: Rega Aria MK3 Preamp: Rogue RP-7 Amp: Pass X150.8 Speakers: Joseph Audio Perspective 2, Audio Physic Tempo Plus Cables: Morrow M4 ICs & Audio Art SC-5 ePlus, Shunyata PCs Misc: Shunyata Hydra Delta D6, VTI rack, GIK acoustic panels
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  • okiepolkie
    okiepolkie Posts: 2,258
    edited November 2007
    How many are you needing? The best fans I've found for amount of air and noise level are the Middle Atlantic Cool. They look to produce a little more noise than the first link you mention, but 20 db's is still lower than you will be able to hear with your components on.
    http://www.middleatlantic.com/rackac/cooling/qcool.htm
    Tschüss
    Zach
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited November 2007
    I just use small 12V DC fans connected to a power adapter.

    They work real well and are very inexpensive.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • MattN03
    MattN03 Posts: 558
    edited December 2007
    I just started using dual WindyWilly fans-the temperature controlled versions. Mounted on the backside of my entertainment center and with the front glass doors closed, I can't hear them run at all-even w/o the system turned on. With the system on, they haven't caused any noise problems and I plugged them into my H/K extra plug-in so they come on automatically when the receiver is turned on. I'm pleased so far. They do seem to have dropped the temps some, however I didn't measure before and after temps and haven't had time to watch a cranked up movie with the fans on either. Movies with the volume cranked up seemed to be my biggest problem with heat.
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  • Sevenpointone
    Sevenpointone Posts: 12
    edited December 2007
    Places like Micro Center/Frys have dozens of cheap fans, all with db levels on the box. Those and a 12 volt dc adapter will chill you on the cheap. Better yet is to place a fan on the amp so the air sucks out of the grill. Use a flexible duct from said places and vent it to the rear wall. Make sure you have an "in" hole for the air.
    Bob
    7.1
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