Johnal

Cabinet Fan for Receiver...

Hey Everyone,
I recently purchased a new tv stand that could hold my hk7200 (damn thing is so big) and I am still thinking it's running a tad warm. I gave it 6.5 inches between the shelf directly above it and about an inch on each side while I didn't even put the backing on the stand when I put it together. The sides are still cool to the touch, but the top gets pretty warm by the end of a movie. I was wondering if anyone could suggest a way to install a little silent fan in there. Maybe like the ones in my PC...although...those little buggers can be noisy. I guess the problem would be finding a power source...anyway...you get the point. Thanks in advance for any suggestions/comments.

-Johnal

Wayne Ernst

The power source should not be too hard to find - any 12V DC adapter should be OK at providing the power for the cooling fan.

Finally, one of the quietest fans on the market is the Panaflo 80" x 25" mm cooling fan. Designed as a cooling fan for computers, it is a favorite of PC builders who desire quiet computers.

Here's a link to the Panaflo fans at a great price from a vendor who doesn't charge too much for shipping either:

BG Micro

\"My reality check ... just bounced\"

Johnal

Can you post a link to what the adapter should be like? I went to a local store to pick up one of the more quiet fan and the guy told me there was no such adapter made so I could plug it in...he said it's strictly for PC hook up. Grr...


-Johnal

Mark Shannon

Johnal, I had that problem too, but luckily, found a way around it.

I bought two silent 80mm PC fans, and removed all but the require power wires (red and black, usually). I then bought a universal varible voltage power adapter (AC-->DC, I beleive) with voltages from 1.5v to 12v(what most PC fans run on). I then stripped the power cables coming out of the voltage adapter, and wired them correspondingly to the two fans (in series) using their own power cables.

If I had webspace, I would upload my pictures, but nonetheless, it's really not THAT difficult to pull off...

My DVD\'s

Ernest Yee

If it's warm to the touch, it should be fine. Why install fans when it's not necessary?

"Silent" fans still make noise.

Johnal

Well...how will I be able to tell when its being "Warm" has gotten "too warm"?

Johnal

I finally got a few pictures of my set up...so... I'll try and post one first to see if I'm doing it right.

-Johnal

Wayne Ernst

Johnal,

I know from owning the AVR-7200 that things can get a little warm in a cabinet. If you follow the suggested clearance guidelines from Harman Kardon, the ventilation around the receiver should be fine. However, I can understand your desire to keep things a bit cooler.

In regards to a voltage adapter, go to Radio Shack and pick up an adapter than can provide a 12V DC supply of power. Connect the positive (+) side of the wire to your positive connector on the cooling fan. Do the same thing for the negative connector. You will need to cut the wires on both the cooling fan and the adapter in order to connect them. You might want to solder the connections to keep them solid and then apply some heat shrink tube over the connections to keep things from shorting out. The adapter that I'm thinking of usually only runs $10 - $12. Wal-Mart should have them too in the electronics section.

\"My reality check ... just bounced\"

Johnal

Here is another picture. This is of the inside. There is plenty of space on top, but the sides have about an inch to each side. The sides are still cool though. Thanks so far for the suggestions... I will try getting a fan tommorrow with the adapter.

Nathan W.

Remember that something just 10 degrees above our body temp will feel really warm, but since electronics don't perceive temp changes the way we do they don't get worried about it.

Most receivers don't have fans because they're not needed and you can bet there are countless installations that are far less ideal than yours with very little room for heat dissipation. It's not like your unit is going to go into meltdown without forced ventilation. It would be a very poor product if it required additional end user ventilation.

Unless you're driving multiple sets of speakers off of the same terminals, you'll be fine.

Johnal

You're probably right Nathan... I guess I'm just a little paranoid after spending what to me is a lot of money. You can't tell from the pictures, but I didn't even put the back panel on the TV stand when I put it together. I'm sure if I left the front doors open while using the receiver for extended periods of time I should be fine. Thanks!

-Johnal

Mort Corey

If you decide to go with a fan, I'd suggest a 120mm fan to move enough air to make a difference. The 80mm Panaflo fans only move 24cfm and are pretty noisey at 21db. SilenX makes 12 volt fans that move about twice the air at half the noise. I ended up using one of there models and replacing a 110 volt NMB fan that was rated at 24db that sounded like a washing machine in the cabinet, though seemed really quiet outside.....go figure.

You can buy 12volt adapters but I founds a few in my spare junk box from ?????? stuff long since gone. With the nifty ones from the Shack, you could vary the voltage and run the fan faster of slower....more and less air movement....more and less noise. I cannot hear the fan in my cabinet unless it's dead quiet and I stick my head right near its location....just the way I like it

Mort (who's a frim believer that heat