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Cooling fan for component cabinet

#1
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5/28/03 at 4:31pm
  • Joined: June 1999
  • Location: Overland Park, KS
  • Post Count: 478
I would like to add a cooling fan to my component cabinet. I have a closed cabinet with the following devices:

Arcam Alpha 8R used a preamp
Arcam Alpha 9 CD player

The CD player tends to run warm

Bryston 4B-ST amp - they do run warm

I have never installed a fan - even in a computer - before, so I am looking for advice.

What can I buy? AC or DC?
How is it powered - if DC I assume I need a transformer?
How will this equipment plugged into the same outlet as my equipment effect the sound?
How will a transformer effect radio (AM/FM) reception?

Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks,
Mike
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#2
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5/28/03 at 7:59pm
  • Joined: May 2002
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how about those little clip on fans they sell? ac power,a nd 5 bucks They have a chip clip type deal on them...should be quiet...we have a few at work..tl
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#3
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5/28/03 at 8:02pm
  • Joined: May 2002
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here is a link...should be ok to post it

http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=735891
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#4
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5/29/03 at 2:44am
  • Joined: March 2003
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I need one also it says white do they make a black one?
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#5
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5/29/03 at 8:11am
  • Joined: May 1999
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If you are not handy with wires, a small AC powered fan usually works great. Many times you have a receiver with a "switched outlet" on the back. Plugging the fan into this jack turns the fan on when the receiver goes on.

But - just circulating the air in a closed box wont do much. You really need to push air in at the bottom, or blow air out at the top.

Some people have bought the small "Muffin Fans" from places like Radio Shack and cut openings near the bottom shelf at the back/sides. The muffin fans simply attach with wood screws and blow air into the cabinent. Another opening is cut at the top to allow hot air to vent.

You can get 120Volt AC fans which are the easiest. But some people dont like the fan noise. You can also get smaller 12 volt DC fans and a "Universal Battery Eliminator" from Radio Shack. Use the battery eliminator set to 12 volts to start. If the fan noise is too large, change the voltage to 9.6, 6.0 ... until the fans still spin but the noise is reduced.

You can even get fancy. Your local CompUSA/Frys have TONS of fans ment for customizing a PC for games. They have fans with built-in temp sensors, multi-colored LED's, over-temp alarms, etc. They also have "Fan Controllers" for about $25 that have 4 wires for fans, and 4 temperature sensors you attach to the equipment. They can display the current temp, you can assign set-points at which fans will turn on, or they have knobs so you have manual, variable control of 4 fans. These all use standard PC drive power connectors so if you have a spare PC Power supply from an old computer - you can simply plug things together.

But you have to have openings for the heat to escape. Fans wont cool, just circulate.
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#6
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5/29/03 at 12:15pm
  • Joined: June 1999
  • Location: Overland Park, KS
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Thanks Bob:

The theory of mass balance - nothing can come out if nothing goes in...unless you are creating a vacuum.

Mike
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#7
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2/14/08 at 10:54am
  • Joined: March 2000
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Re: Cooling fan for component cabinet

I know this thread is old but since I have been working on a fix for this problem I thought I would revive it.

I just ordered one of these with a temp control. HomeTheaterCooling.com The Professionally Quiet Fan I will update with a review after I have it installed and running.

Every child has many wishes. Some include a wallet, two chicks, and a cigar, but that's another story.
 
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#8
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8/4/09 at 6:21am
  • Joined: May 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doug_H View Post

I know this thread is old but since I have been working on a fix for this problem I thought I would revive it.

I just ordered one of these with a temp control. HomeTheaterCooling.com The Professionally Quiet Fan I will update with a review after I have it installed and running.

Thanks for the referral. 
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