Bad to mount amp upside down?

[kauai808 10+ year member]

Just wondering

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[david in german 10+ year member]

All depends on the amp and the load it will be under. Some amps have internal fans that will keep them cool with limited airflow. Another thing to take into consideration is load the amp will see.

My Tsunami amps are mounted upside down under the rear deck of my wifes car and stay cool to the touch because I am running the highs and mids at 4 ohm. the sub amp is rated for a 1 ohm load but i am also running it at 4 ohms so cooling is not an issue. If I were to run them at 2 or 1 ohm it may be an issue though.

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

With adequate ventiliation it shouldn't be a problem.

But if your amplifier tends to get hot keep in mind that mounting it upside down will cause it to become even warmer as the heat rises back into the internal components.

 

[1991Brougham 10+ year member]

Mine is mounted sideways. Somehow all the electrons manage to keep flowing...LOL!

Rick

 

[req 5,000+ posts]

unless you push the amp past its normal operating parameters or stuff it in a small enclosed space you will have zero issues.

 

[Team Maxxsonics 10+ year member]

Remember, heat rises!

The aluminum heat sink is what wicks away the heat from the amplifier transistors and other components.

When you mount the amp upside down, the heat now rises to the thin metal bottom panel (which is now on top) which traps heat and the amp will run hotter in this manner.

The heat wicking away through the heat sink (now on the bottom) simply rises back onto itself and keeps the amp hotter as well.

Heat kills so avoid mounting the amp upside down when ever possible.