Amp fan

[bronze_10]

So had one of my amps over heat... it stopped for a bit.. we opened the side door and it cooled off after about 5 kin and went back to working. Anyone ever put a dc fan blowing on their Amos to help keep them cool.

 

[tdonoughue]

Might start by using a can of air on it. If it has an internal fan (or even if just designed with heat sinks), those can get gummed up with dust and stuff, which will decrease heat dissipation (and the warm environment does not help, of course). You can get a can at any office supply store.

 

[Gym]

You may have to move to Canada @ bronze_10. Did this happen while at anchor or while moving? If at anchor you could try leaving the side door open. Otherwise a 12v computer fan (pancake fan) might be the way to go.

 

[bronze_10]

It's the whole compartment.. we were moving so I was pushing it pretty hard.. the amp pushing 4 6.5 over heated but the amo pushing two 6.5 didn't.. and it's a minor issue.. it was real hot today anyway... I just throwing ideas at the dartboard.. figured I wasn't the only person with this sisue..

 

[Mainah]

High end tow boats like malibu have all the amps behind the helm in an enclosed compartment (access panel with screws behind the upper bow cushion) with a high volume low speed fan at the top to remove the heat. The other display electronics are there too so make sense is such a cramped spot generating so much heat.

What kind of amp do you have @bronze_10? 6.5 are rather low load. I ran my amps in high heat for 3 hours Saturday while doing tow sports at near full volume. Never blinked. Granted two of them are jl but the 3rd is a 4 channel class D rockville pushing two 10s. I posted before that I tore down the rockville and really liked the heatsink design. The crossovers are the worst I have ever seen but for the money lots of power that holds up in the heat. All three of my amps are behind the helm mounted to one board.

The nice thing about JL is they will just automatically cut down the power instead of all the way off to cool down if needed.

 

[bronze_10]

I have two of these...

JBL MA6004 4-Channel Full-Range Marine Amplifier - Walmart.com

Buy JBL MA6004 4-Channel Full-Range Marine Amplifier at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

It was 101 when we launched the boat... once it cooled it was fine... the 2nd amp is the same but it was only running two speakers and kept playing. I am pretty sure these amps do not have internal fans... or at least I dont remember them having fans..

 

[Mainah]

Those are class AB with no fan. Less power efficient than class D but better sound reproduction. Lots of things can cause too much heat and thermal shut down. Power wire too small, clipping, using the bass boost feature (turn that all the way down), weak input signal, tight install area with poor ventilation, etc.

If I recall these may have been advertised as class D on some sites or just not specified and it was of course wrong. Class D amps are all that should be used for boats or open off road stuff. The power efficiency is not only to be nice to batteries but better efficiency also means less power wasted as heat.

Finding a way to externally cool those amps will help. Using them to upgrade a car system and replacing with something better (JL, wetsounds) in the boat is the silver bullet.

 

[bronze_10]

I'll find a fan to cool it.. lol... I worked too hard to get all that stuff set up.... to tell my wife I have to redo it again... uh. Would not go well. And we like how it sounds. I would like to a fan with a auto thermostat or something..

 

[Mainah]

So one of these and a computer case fan (also 12v) will do the trick provided you have somewhere to more the air to.

Digital LED Temperature Controller Module, XH-W3001 Thermostat Switch with Waterpr... Amazon.com: Digital LED Temperature Controller Module, XH-W3001 Thermostat Switch with Waterproof Probe, Programmable Heating Cooling Thermostat (12V 10A 120W): Industrial & Scientific

 

[bronze_10]

So what kinda fan u recomend that would have enough cdm to cool that thing?

 

[Mainah]

So what kinda fan u recomend that would have enough cdm to cool that thing?

That is a big depends. That thermo switch will only support 120 watts so can’t go too big. If it were me I may even consider a closed loop water cooling system with a remotely located heat sink/ radiator depending on how everything is mounted.

 

[bronze_10]

Holy crap!! I was thi king one of these..

Put a couple Energizer aa batteries in that thing and it should be golden, right!

 

[tdonoughue]

Apparently you were not aware of on which site you were viewing.

We can't do anything around here for $11. Every mod costs more than that.

 

[tdonoughue]

So here is what I am thinking:

Buy Shutter Mount Exhaust Fans - Free Shipping over $50 | Zoro.com

It will take a little fiberglass work to get it cut into the starboard side in front of the helm. But it will be well-worth it.

Then you need the portable generator to run the thing...

There. I feel better.

 

[bronze_10]

So here is what I am thinking:

Buy Shutter Mount Exhaust Fans - Free Shipping over $50 | Zoro.com

It will take a little fiberglass work to get it cut into the starboard side in front of the helm. But it will be well-worth it.

Then you need the portable generator to run the thing...

There. I feel better.

And they double as a side thruster!

 

[captainhook]

What amp model is it that overheated? How often do you boat when it's 101 degrees? How many times has this happened before (assuming zero but you know what happens when you assume)? I would evaluate these questions to decide how much effort I was going to put forward to resolve the issue--as cool as open air bow thrusters sounds.

Me personally I would probably just start with a cheap USB fan and then swap amps if that didn't work. I have heard of people using small fans in car trunks to keep amps cool, specifically computer case fans.

 

[bronze_10]

What amp model is it that overheated? How often do you boat when it's 101 degrees? How many times has this happened before (assuming zero but you know what happens when you assume)? I would evaluate these questions to decide how much effort I was going to put forward to resolve the issue--as cool as open air bow thrusters sounds.

Me personally I would probably just start with a cheap USB fan and then swap amps if that didn't work. I have heard of people using small fans in car trunks to keep amps cool, specifically computer case fans.

This will be the stepped approach im going to take.

 

[2kwik4u]

I was thinking of using one of these:
WEST MARINE Turbo In-Line Exhaust Blowers | West Marine

and then one of these:

Amazon.com: DC 12V PWM PC CPU Fan Temperature Control Speed Controller CPU Alarm Module: Computers & Accessories

With the idea that the blower can be pointed at the amp (maybe 3D Print a small manifold/duct to direct airflow), and then tune the set point so that it doesn't run on high until really needed. Would be lots of "guess and check" on the set point, but should provide some decent airflow, and then ramp up as needed in the hot summer months.

 

[bronze_10]

I was looking at those yesterday.. but then I went way down a rabbit hole.... may just try a simple fan at first...