Setting up a Rack: Heat resistant material?

[NickCormier]

I am finalizing my rack soon.. and I noticed that my Carvin T100 poweramp runs quite hot.. Hot enough that it concerns me. My rack will be small, basically just a 4U rack, consisting of a Peavey rockmaster (1U) into the Carvin T100 (2U) with one space for storing cables/etc.

The way I am thinking of setting it up right now, is the Carvin on the bottom (since its most heavy, making it not top-heavy) and then the rockmaster either ontop of that, or on the very top unit.. This will give me one space left for storage, but I am concerned if I put cables/anything ontop of the Carvin, it will be way too hot, but I dont wanna **** my rockmaster up either..

Is there any material that can fit between my units (say 5mm or less thicknesss) that would be heat resistant, and not burn anything on the other side? Someone told me Nomex, does that sound like it would work??

I am NOT willing to change to a bigger rack, and I am NOT going to sacrifice space for a "ventilation unit", as that would defeat the purpose of this rack's function in my setup. I need some kind of material to sit between the units that will not let heat transfer through. Any suggestions?

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Setting up a Rack: Heat resistant material?

Any material that won´t let heat through to the other units will automatically also cause heat to build up at the source unit. This is becasue thermal insulation works both ways. People have blown up thousands upon thousands of dollars of rack gear because they dimensioned the rack too small and refused to see the error, but tried to jiffy rig a solution that in 99% of the cases will compound teh problem more than anything else...

I know you don´t want to hear this, but the only sensible solution if you don´t want a bigger rack or a ventilation unit is a blank 19" panel in the front to allow that 1 RS to stay free and allow heat to dissipate.

A tube power amp should ALWAYS have at least 1 rackspace open above it to avoid overheating. BTW It is a good Idea to apply the same principle to a tube preamp, though the temperatures here aren`t quite as intense...

For a 3 HE tube Power amp / tube preamp setup, a 6HE rack is the most sensible choice. this will give you 1 space of ventilation area above both units while still holding 1 space free for a storage drawer or a power conditioner.

Again, I know it´s not what you wanted to hear, but I think you don´t want to buy a new amp next week, either. Or?

 

[NickCormier]

Re: Setting up a Rack: Heat resistant material?

It has fans, huge ****in loud fans.. What I meant is it is hot TO THE TOUCH, so if I was to put cables ontop of it, it would probably not be good.. Im not concerned in the slightest about it overheating.. Its just I want to put stuff ontop of it, and if it stays as hot as it is, any kinda of plastic such as unshielded cables or so, may have some issues.

If TONS of really rich artists, such as John petrucci (picture of one of his racks, first pic - http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/1356158-post53.html see his VHT at the bottom with a unit ontop of it??) and others put other units ontop of their units. Im not concerned in the slightest.

Another
http://www.flickr.com/photos/heavylift/60010448/

I could search all day for pros with rack units but its futile.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Setting up a Rack: Heat resistant material?

AH..

I was under the impresion that you were already close to an overheating issue.... And if such weere the case thermal Insulation would be slamming the lid closed and naling the coffin shut.

If you feel like the heat at the current level is still within safe levels, you should be able to get by with just putting a rack drawer between the pre an power... this will allow for protected and easily accessible cable and parts storage, while not compromising poweramp cooling to a major degree

As fare as the rich artists go, though: that´s exactly it, they do have more money, and also people who are employed specifically to take care of their gear and make sure everything is working perfectly... But they can also afford to simply replace high level kit because they both have the financial clout as well as the endorsement to make it feasible. As a result, the pro touring artist is protected in many more ways from technical disaster than the hobbyist who doesn´t have a spare rack in the bus and Steve Fryette´s home phone number

 

[joelap]

Re: Setting up a Rack: Heat resistant material?

Hate to piggyback/hijack:

I'm having a similar question here. I've got an 8 space rack currently loaded up with 6 spaces. From top to bottom, Furman PL-Plus C (1U), Demeter TGP-3 (2U), Gmajor 2(1U), 2 Empty spaces, VHT 2/50/2(2U). So I've got 6 spaces filled of an 8 space rack.

Now, I'd like to have a backup preamp in my rack for "incase****happens". Been eyeing Mesa Studio preamp as a result... but it is 2 spaces. This would fill up my rack. My VHT doesnt run too hot as it has a nice fan pushing the heat right out the back... but it does have ventilation slots cut at the top of the amp and I'm assuming they are there for a reason. Also, the Gmajor2 isnt very deep, and stops right before the VHT ventilation slots start. If I wanted to get a 2U preamp (either the studio pre or eventually another demeter), think that by putting the new pre between the old pre and the gmajor would be kosher? A bigger rack is not an option, as it wont fit in my vehicle.

 

[supernosher]

Re: Setting up a Rack: Heat resistant material?

If the wiring inside the amp is fine, why would your cables be in danger?

 

[J Moose]

Re: Setting up a Rack: Heat resistant material?

Is there any material that can fit between my units (say 5mm or less thicknesss) that would be heat resistant, and not burn anything on the other side? Someone told me Nomex, does that sound like it would work??

I am NOT willing to change to a bigger rack, and I am NOT going to sacrifice space for a "ventilation unit", as that would defeat the purpose of this rack's function in my setup. I need some kind of material to sit between the units that will not let heat transfer through. Any suggestions?

Well, Nomex is what the suits fire fighters & race car drivers wear... so it'll keep heat out but like Zerb said... anything that keeps heat out also keeps it IN which is not so good. Likely worse. Much worse.

The "pros" with touring racks not only have techs to repair anything that breaks during the show, but if you look at the back of those racks there are multiple fans circulating fresh air throughout and the touring units are often modified and reinforced for that duty with bigger heat sinks among other things. Take a peek and you'll also notice that all cabling is cut exactly to length & neatly bundled together...

So... there's a couple three options and one big question. Question is, exactly how hot IS the rack? Hot to the touch? Or hot enough to warm up a cup of coffee in a rather quick fashion?

First option is to leave an empty space above the power amp.

Putting anything on top of the ventilation slots is a bad idea... doesn't matter much if it's a thin sheet of Nomex or another rack unit. Even a drawer or shelf... blocking the flow is bad. Real bad. Putting a sensitive processor like a multi FX box on top of a hot power amp is an even WORSE idea.

Second option would be ignore it, shove the gear in the rack and play on.

The problem with option #2, and somewhat with option #1 is what you'll do when, and not if the gear fails. If the gear is hot enough to cook an egg then you need to leave an open space or be prepared for imminent failure.

And not that I want to bash your gear, but with Carvin I'd be fairly concerned...