12V cooling fan for amplifiers; recommendations please?

[JohnKuthe]

Hello all.

I'll be running this Alpine PDX-V9 amplifier:

Alpine

And according to the manual:

"Due to the high power output of the PDX-V9, considerable heat

is produced when the amplifier is in operation. For this reason,

the amplifier should be mounted in a location which will allow

for free circulation of air, such as inside the trunk."

I'm mounting mine in the Stow-n-Go seating storage compartment of my 2006 Grand Caravan, and I KNOW it runs hot because it was running so hot only powered up but without any inputs or outputs I was searching for a ground fault, which turns out not to be the case.

What I'm going to do is mount a 12V cooling fan over the PDX-V9 and also the PDR-V75 amp too, just to provide good airflow around the amps. I Googled them and there are zillions available. Gonna prop the Stow-n-Go compartment lids open too. So I'm looking for a good Made In USA 12V cooling fan to handle the task. And I'm hoping someone here has some good recommendations!

Anyone? Thanks!

John Kuthe...

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[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Circulating hot air is the same as hot air.

They should not be getting that hot. As long as you can leave your hand on it it's fine. That means the heat sink is working.

 

[JohnKuthe]

Circulating hot air is the same as hot air. They should not be getting that hot. As long as you can leave your hand on it it's fine. That means the heat sink is working.

That's what I thought too, especially for not actually amplifying anything. I'm very familiar with how hot electronics should run and this amp is too **** hot IMHO. But then I read the blurb in the manual and I checked the ground and it was perfect, very negligible resistance means same ground. I measured the current grounding point to a 4AWG jumper cable to the neg battery post. But I wanna get as fan, can only help! I know it;s not the same as outside flowing air but it;s the best I can do. I;ll prop the lids open on the compartments too.

John Kuthe...

 

[staan]

get a relay and a few fans make a fan housing that fits along the partially open side of the bin, buy a linear actuator. build a framework to attach the linear actuator to the lid, use a limit switch to have the actuator only open enough for the fans to expose themselves to the vehicle. I suggest 4 fans 2 push 2 pull. tap off the power gnd and acc from the amps to the relay. wire up the relay to enable the actuator to open when the stereo is on.

 

[JohnKuthe]

get a relay and a few fans make a fan housing that fits along the partially open side of the bin, buy a linear actuator. build a framework to attach the linear actuator to the lid, use a limit switch to have the actuator only open enough for the fans to expose themselves to the vehicle. I suggest 4 fans 2 push 2 pull. tap off the power gnd and acc from the amps to the relay. wire up the relay to enable the actuator to open when the stereo is on.

Fancy!! Robo-Stereo-Turned-On and it cometh to LIFE!!

Thanks for the suggestion but I think I'm gonna keep it simple and just get a good CFM 12V fan and mount it above the amps. Since we (installer guy and I) put a 3/4" piece of birch plywood in the bottom of the amp box I will mount the fan on stilts above the amps blowing down over the amps switched from the amps 12V "amp on" signal and call the "lids open" the standard normal operating position, manually operated as desired. I like the ideas of the linear actuators though, very cool, thanks! I'm just at this point looking for a good Made In USA 12V blower fan.

John Kuthe...

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

I doubt you will find any made in the US. Most use computer fans.

The thing is, you don't want to hear them. Being right behind you might be a problem. And they can add signal noise

 

[JohnKuthe]

I doubt you will find any made in the US. Most use computer fans.

I Googled them, and found a few Made in USA that like most everything else Made in USA were hella expensive. But I buy stuff like that sometimes as a way to try and support manufacturing in the U.S. Like the $50 lawn chairs I bought from:

About Us!

I mean, someone has to do this!

John Kuthe...

 

[Hertz Mafia]

Turbo 3000 In-Line Blowers : Attwood Marine

This is the fan that moves ton of air. I shouldn't even be helping you though since your a douch

 

[mahc 10+ year member]

Get a normal ass fan.. Your minivan was made in usa and it prolly worth less than your chinese amp.

Next time use amps with built-in fans.

 

[JohnKuthe]

Turbo 3000 In-Line Blowers : Attwood Marine
This is the fan that moves ton of air. I shouldn't even be helping you though since your a douch

Thanks, I will check them out!

John Kuthe...

 

[JohnKuthe]

And just wanted to let everyone know I ordered:

It's a 10" radiator fan so not the quietest but that's OK with me, else I will decide otherwise after I install it! These amps are gonna be COOL! 1000CFS!!

John Kuthe...

 

[BSchrowang]

It's a 10" radiator fan so not the quietest but that's OK with me, else I will decide otherwise after I install it! These amps are gonna be COOL! 1000CFS!! .

Holy overkill. Thats beyond ridiculous. Most people use smaller fans than that to cool 15,000 watt systems. Its going to sound like a leaf blower in that minivan.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

What a idiot

 

[staan]

this guy is my new favorite, I never thought anyone could top that spl setup in the passenger dash of that fiero a long time ago, but this guys doing it

 

[JohnKuthe]

Holy overkill. Thats beyond ridiculous. Most people use smaller fans than that to cool 15,000 watt systems. Its going to sound like a leaf blower in that minivan.

I SAID these amps are gonna be COOL! I will see if I can tolerate than noise, and replace it if I find need to, but 1000CFS should keep the PDX-V9 a lot cooler! It was only $35 or so, delivered.

I don't screw around with cooling off electronics. The Operations room at large computer facilities is about 56F with Halon fire extinguishers!!

John Kuthe....