Temperature and crowded equipment problem

[NealinNevada]

Moderators: Feel free to move to DIY, if that is the best place for it...

Yesterday, out of curiosity I took some temperature readings around my receiver (SX-D7000) and my DVR-7000 in my kitchen. What prompted my recording the temperature between the two units was the small distance the DVR-7000's feet placed it above the venting on the SX-D7000 (about 1/4" - I have no evidence that this is too small a distance, probably isn't, but it bothered me). Here is a picture of the setup when I first took a temperature reading (six inches forward of the back of the case on the left side of the case - radio on and fully warmed up running volume at 9 o'clock):

Here is the temperature reading:


Then I took some 2" OD schedule 40 PVC pipe and cut 1.5" spacers (then painted them silver to match the units):

Finally I retook the temperature reading:


As soon as I find some 2" long sheet metal screws I am going to move the feet to the bottom of the spacers. So, maybe about 9 degrees F cooler running isn't important ...I don't know. Can't hurt though .

[markthefixer]

Good move, while the outside temperature didn't drop much, the interior temperature changes will be greater, and the difference is significant in the long term.

Your solution is more photogenic than my plywood "h" 's painted black.


Remember air has to get IN, before it gets OUT...


EDIT: OH, and look at the back of the DVR, I'll bet it has a fan....

[AngelRa]

Do the same under the receiver and you may drop another 8 degrees.

[hennessy]

I keep computer case fans on top of the amplifier. 120 mm or a couple hard drive cooling units with double small fans and Zalman Fan Mate 2 to control speed and noise. Sure, it does not help the aesthetics (fans are black, and my pioneers are all black) but saves some natural gas for house heating.

[cityslicker]

I use a fan on all my gear. If it runs cooler, it lasts longer. Best buy sells cooling fans which are 4" square and 2" tall, and you can't hear them running. I think their about 15-$20. I always run across fans here and there, but they usually make too much noise. I broke down and went to best buy.

[NealinNevada]

Originally Posted by AngelRa

Do the same under the receiver and you may drop another 8 degrees.

I knew I had to have another experiment for today...as soon as the sun is up I'll be out in the barn making new feet for the receiver.

[Mark W.]

WOW your amp makes a lot of heat I have a remote temp probe above and just to the rear of the vents on my amp (my system is in a 5 foot tall completely built in to the wall rack) and unless the room temp is ovr 75 degrees my amp never gets over 74 degree. I have a single 120mm computer fan at the top of the pocket that pulls room air in at the bottom of the rack and exit's out the back side into the shop behind the pocket.

[NealinNevada]

Originally Posted by Mark W.

WOW your amp makes a lot of heat...

Yes, there are so many variables that can 't be controlled I didn't even bother to mention ambient room temperature, proximity to wood stove, etc. etc.

EDIT: I finished the "feet extenders" for the receiver about an hour ago and installed them. Same conditions (+/-) and now the temperature reads 85.8 degrees F! The original feet extenders and the four I just installed are all 1.5" tall.

[cbrworm]

85 degrees is great. I have a modern large Onkyo HT receiver that runs hot. I cut out huge holes in the shelf below it under the openings in the chassis for air and have 2 120mm quiet fans on top pulling air out. The receiver reports its heatsink temps to be 55c and 56c after idling for a while. The heatsinks you can touch with your fingers for a few seconds before pulling away, the video processing chips run much hotter - you touch them it leaves a flat spot on your finger. The receiver has two internal fans that are both 3 speed that blow directly on the heatsinks. The fans don't start until the sinks hit 70c, middle speed starts at 80c. They don't go to high speed until temp is over 80c and high current is being drawn. Once the temp goes over 85c the rail voltages drop from +-65 to +-45, then if it doesn't cool it drops to +-25.

Clearly they designed it to run hot, but cooler has got to be better right? With my additional holes and fans, the thing is still hotter than 130F.

[Mark W.]

here is what my rack looks like





And with just a little air moving up the rack I haven't had any trouble with the heat.

Not saying you aren't just commenting on how different then my experiance yours is.

My office system is also well packed and I have had no trouble with it (same amp and tuner stack.

In my system far ans away the tuner and it's light bulbs makes the most heat

[KingBubba]

A lot of times the amp/receiver is placed at the bottom of the stack due to size or aesthetics. Under all but the most problematic situations, I try to always place the amp/receiver at the top of the stack or in a place separated from the other devices. This is not always possible and in that case your inventive idea for feet is now on my to do list. I also have some wood "H's" for separation and airflow, but they ain't too pretty. Thanks for a good idea.

[aussiedan]

I have an old Pioneer tube amp in my rack.
My digital thermometer cuts out at 50c/120f.
It runs at about 55c on the outside of the case, according to an old mercury thermometer.
I tried it near the top of the rack, but due to my set up, this put it right under the turntable. The platter became so hot, I wasnt game to put a record on it, even with a shelf seperating them, so back down to the middle.

You could warm your dinner on it ()

All the other stuff above it works ok, but I do wonder about longevity.

[AngelRa]

Originally Posted by NealinNevada

Yes, there are so many variables that can 't be controlled I didn't even bother to mention ambient room temperature, proximity to wood stove, etc. etc.

EDIT: I finished the "feet extenders" for the receiver about an hour ago and installed them. Same conditions (+/-) and now the temperature reads 85.8 degrees F! The original feet extenders and the four I just installed are all 1.5" tall.

I suspected raising he receiver will help, but wow, you got 10F reduction! I am going to do the same to my very hot pre-amp.