rack case quandary

[DankStar]

ok, so I think I've got all the rack stuff I'll be getting: one 2-space power amp, two single-spaced preamps

Based on the weight of the power amp alone and the massive height of a 4U case, such a case would be way too big and heavy. Not to mention the preamps would get cooked by the power amp (or if the preamps are on the bottom, they'd only add to the cooking of the power amp.

So then I figure maybe two (shallow) 2U cases. This should work fine for the preamps, but now I'm concerned - will a tube power amp get too hot in a 2U case by itself? It's a carvin TS100 with a fan in the back, but the top gets hot as a mother. I'd hate to go bigger for it just to satisfy my paranoia about overheating but I also don't want to smother it.

So my question is, with a fan in the back, do you think the amp would get too hot in a 2U rack case? Or maybe the case will act as a heat sink? There's no vents on top, it's a solid metal top.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: rack case quandary

Something large for air flow and with wheels

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: rack case quandary

I hate to say this, but if the top of the amp still gets unreasonably hot (and assuming the amp and its rear-firing fan are functioning properly), closing in the top with a rack case might necessitate additional cooling to expedite the removal of the heat from the air volume immediately above the amp's top cover.

Then again, it's possible the amp's designers took this into account and feel the built-in fan is sufficient to cool the amp as-is. In other words, maybe it's okay for the top to be closed in and get really hot, as long as the fan is able to remove the heated air from inside the chassis and vent it out the back.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: rack case quandary

If you're that concerned contact Carvin. But if it's a piece of rack gear I'd have to think it would work fine in a rack.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: rack case quandary

I'd get a 5U or 6U rack, and leave space between the amp and preamps. Fill the space with a perforated panel. Empty rack spaces don't add much to the overall weight. I don't know where you get the idea 4U is "massive". Dividing the gear into two racks just increases the setup time and the chance you'll hook up something wrong on a dark stage.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: rack case quandary

I'd get a 5U or 6U rack, and leave space between the amp and preamps. Fill the space with a perforated panel. Empty rack spaces don't add much to the overall weight. I don't know where you get the idea 4U is "massive". Dividing the gear into two racks just increases the setup time and the chance you'll hook up something wrong on a dark stage.

Yep. Get an SKB 8 space rack. Set it up like this...
Power conditioner
Multi FX unit
Preamp 1
Preamp 2
Vented 1 or 2 space panel
Power amp.

Spend some time MIDI mapping the two pre's, FX unit, and MIDI controller, so you have every sound you could imagine.

 

[zzmoore]

Re: rack case quandary

Would really help if you showed a picture, but.......if the fan is in the back, I am assuming the power tubes are laying down...horizontal.?
If so, it might be Much More important to have clear space on The Side of the unit, so it can pull "cool" air from a side vent, and exhaust hot air out the back vent.
Can you post a pic.?
And yeah.....shot an email to Carvin.....they WILL have dealt with this before.

 

[DankStar]

Re: rack case quandary

thanks for the input - yeah, carvin said a space above the power amp would be ideal, but didn't say a 2u for it would be bad, just not the best idea to have it up against another amp.

I don't forsee buying any other rack stuff any time soon. I don't think I need a power condish, and the gsp has all the effects I'll need. I'm considering a 5u at this point, despite it not fitting on my current man-closet shelf system configuration and knowing it will be super heavy. But I like the idea of everything in one box at least.

I could see selling other amps to make room, cause it's probably the best sound I've had.

 

[zzmoore]

Re: rack case quandary

Do you live near me.?
I have a shock-mount 6u for sale that you can check out.......

 

[DankStar]

Re: rack case quandary

Do you live near me.?
I have a shock-mount 6u for sale that you can check out.......

Ill pm ya

EDIT - not going high as 6 and going with a head-style

 

[Demanic]

Re: rack case quandary

Put your power amp into a 4 rack unit with a two space cooling fan, like the kind that they used in the old computer towers. Then put whatever other stuff you want into another 4 rack case.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: rack case quandary

Wheels


*(Sent from my durned phone!)*

 

[DankStar]

Re: rack case quandary

This might be a game changer. I'm loving the idea of a modular head. There's a dude selling these custom dealios on the bay:



If I separate out the preamps, he's got a lil' 2u one too, freaking cool. A 2u with side & top vents would work for the power amp I think.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: rack case quandary

Those are cool.

Reminds me of an old Groove Tubes amp. It was a 1x12 combo but had an empty rack space so you could add your favorite rack unit.

 

[chadd]

Re: rack case quandary

One of those with a Kemper would probably be the end of amp purchases for me.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: rack case quandary

Yep. Get an SKB 8 space rack. Set it up like this...
Power conditioner
Multi FX unit
Preamp 1
Preamp 2
Vented 1 or 2 space panel
Power amp.

Spend some time MIDI mapping the two pre's, FX unit, and MIDI controller, so you have every sound you could imagine.

Pretty much this.
I've been running an 8-sp for years.
Power>Tuner>Preamp-(Spacer)->Pwr Amp-(2-sp drawer).
Power amp is an old Carvin Tube 100.The only time it's given me any trouble is after I left it on overnight at a bar & the crappy plastic fuse-thingy melted.Had to run direct thru the preamp(Rocktron) for that night.Replaced w/a Fender-style & done.

& yeah,it's pretty damn heavy.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: rack case quandary

Wait -- what melted?

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: rack case quandary

The fuse was in some kinda crappy plastic housing that you needed a screwdriver to pop open.
The amp was left on & I guess teh metal contacts made teh plastic mushy.

 

[DankStar]

Re: rack case quandary

Good to know about the heat, makes me for sure want to keep a space open above it with a 1u vent.

In an ideal world I'd go 8 spaces, but for numerous reasons, 4 is my limit. Main reason is, that would be the ideal normal-sized & weighted modular head with a vent space between the power and preamp (the jmp-1). The digitech will probably be in its own dedicated box that I'll build (off the shelf ones are all way too deep) so I can grab it and move it around as needed for use as a headphone amp, or place it on top of the modular head as a second preamp or for effects.

I'm not a huge effects guy, so the carvin/marshall would actually be all I need for most applications.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: rack case quandary

I would leave 1 space for ventilation. I am shortly going to be splitting my rack into 2 cases for 2 reasons:

1: Better cooling
2: My Power amp weighs 45lbs on its own, making my rack total 78lbs.

Wheels arn't an option as I don't need that much space and I'm sure my back will be happy in the long run, don't be afraid to split! but also, make sure you leave a couple spaces anyway, cause chances are you will fill it later!