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Amp Rack Fan Direction
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2face View Drop Down
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    Posted: 27 August 2020 at 1:10pm
Afternoon All,

So i've got myself a nice little 8u amp rack on wheels at last (which i'm probably more excited about than I should be!) anyway it's got a fan mounted to the back which i'm now linking up.

It's at the bottom of the rack i'd assume to suck in the cold air from outside there and have the warm air exit out the top, but it's fitted so that is sucks from the inside and blows out. Now it'd make sense that the rack fan direction matches that of the amps inside, namely a couple of Matrix STR's  on kick bass and mid-top and a QSC on sub bass. The QSC sucks from the back and blows out the front which brings me on to my first question:

1. What is the fan direction for Matrix STR amps?
and
2. What would be the best setup for cooling in this instance?

I'll add some photos when I get on the laptop! Cheers all!


Edited by 2face - 27 August 2020 at 1:12pm
Submission VS 2facedBass 21/11/09 @Basingstoke Bang Bar!
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jacethebase View Drop Down
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Points: 5699 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jacethebase Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 August 2020 at 1:23pm
What ever you do, it is absolutely vital the airflow direction is the same through out the rack.

Unfortunately different Manufactures use different air flow directions.

I have never used the Matrix Amps so I can not comment.

If the amp is blowing air in to the rack then the fan needs to be clearing the air from that rack. Do not blow air cold air in to the rack if the amplifier is also trying to blow air in to the rack. The fan on the back of the rack should assist the fans in the amplifiers at pulling the air though the units.

I like a nice new rack too, so you are not alone! Still can't beat a nice original flashlight rack in my opinion :)
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cravings View Drop Down
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pretty sure all my matrix amps cool front to back.
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Points: 3122 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote snowflake Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 August 2020 at 3:14pm
and don't consider changing the direction of the fans in any amp - turbulent air from blowing onto a heatsink cools much better than sucking air away from a heatsink
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"It's at the bottom of the rack"

I´d change that straight away and put it at the top, in the direction that will help blow hot air away from the amps.
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John C View Drop Down
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Interesting comments, I have often wondered how to ventilate a rack correctly
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madboffin View Drop Down
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Quote Interesting comments, I have often wondered how to ventilate a rack correctly


Generally speaking, cool air in at the bottom, warm air out at he top. That's the same direction as natural air circulation.


Edited by madboffin - 08 September 2020 at 8:59pm
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2face View Drop Down
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Thanks All. Going to move the fan to the top so it blows out.

Do we think that the QSC being next to the matrix could cause an issue or would not be best practice due to their opposite cooling directions?

I have 1u of free space in the rack currently being taken up by a vented blanking plate above the 3 amps and below the crossover, I see this as being natural to remove the hot air from the amps, but would this be better placed between the QSC and Matrix amps given their alternate cooling directions? (Would think not but worth the ask!)
Submission VS 2facedBass 21/11/09 @Basingstoke Bang Bar!
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snowflake View Drop Down
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Originally posted by 2face 2face wrote:

Thanks All. Going to move the fan to the top so it blows out.

Do we think that the QSC being next to the matrix could cause an issue or would not be best practice due to their opposite cooling directions?

I have 1u of free space in the rack currently being taken up by a vented blanking plate above the 3 amps and below the crossover, I see this as being natural to remove the hot air from the amps, but would this be better placed between the QSC and Matrix amps given their alternate cooling directions? (Would think not but worth the ask!)


put a divider in the rack so that air is sucked in at the bottom and then straight out the back through the extra fan. top half of rack will blow hot out the front.
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