Amplifier / Equipment cooling in enclosed space

[beanbag]

I have a bit of a problem with my hifi set-up in that it's getting very hot as it's in an enclosed space. (I will take photos of it all shortly).

The amplifier is mounted on its side which doesn't help much and combined with a Sky+HD box, Apple TV, WD TV live, hard drive , wifi adapters and antennas it's getting pretty damn hot in there....especially since summer is coming and temperatures outside can reach 40C+.

I'd like to install some sort of cooling system albeit without fans if possible. Otherwise large fans will have to work.

Dimensions of the area I have to cool are:

80cm width, 100cm height, 35cm depth.

This is all behind a closed door and is controlled using a Logitech Harmony 900 remote.

Like I said, I'll provide photos but can anyone provide any ideas?

Thanks!

[page3]

I have the triple fan version of this kit http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dual-Fan-Thermal-Control-D...

Pricey but excellent.

I also wired it through a cheap fan speed controller to keep the noise down

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zalman-Fan-Speed-Controlle...

Tried many other solutions over the years but is one works the best.

[beanbag]

page3 said:

I have the triple fan version of this kit http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dual-Fan-Thermal-Control-D...

Pricey but excellent.

I also wired it through a cheap fan speed controller to keep the noise down

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zalman-Fan-Speed-Controlle...

Tried many other solutions over the years but is one works the best.

Pricey indeed! Ouch! I've got a couple of large 120mm zalman fans (along with some controllers), that I reckon I could rig up, but I need a 12v fan power supply. My biggest problem is the exit....I've no idea where to drive the exhaust air. The gaps around the edge are pretty slim so I'm thinking I might hack some of the sides away to get a better exhaust vent.

Again...pictures are really needed to get the idea across....

[page3]

You can get a 240v to 12v molex PSU for about £10 or so. That's the route I initially took, but the cooler guys stuff is just so much more integrated, which after I spent a small fortune on the cabinet wasn't so bad price-wise. I got mine directly from the US (as I wanted the triple fan version). Ended up cheaper than via Amazon.

In my cabinet, the fans push hot air out the back (at the top) and cool air enters front/bottom via a small vent.

Edited by page3 on Wednesday 11th June 17:31

[Driller]

Nice Arcam!

[abbotsmike]

Thermostat from dealextreme, a couple of 120mm pc fans and a 12V PSU, you could probably build the same for £30 or so if you wanted.

[ClassicCarless]

In the same boat here.

I have built a stand from ikea besta units, looks great (IMO) but have got AV amp stuffed in there with 1cm or maybe 2cm of clearance above it - terrible for the heat!

The unit came with no holes for cables in the back (!?) so had to drill some with a holesaw for the cables anyway. At the same time, I have made a few for me to mount some 120mm fans on the back of the unit to suck air out.

Was planning to power them from the nearby HTPC but didnt realise i could get an adapter for only £10? Will investigate that as it seems like a great plan.

£100 for that fan kit linked to seems like a lot of money