Mounting amp upside down???

[oxsign 5,000+ posts]

I have an older AQ3500 and i'm building a custom center console amp rack with plexi. Just wondering is the amp will be ok mounting upside down so the "guts" are showing through the plexi? The box will have 2 cooling fans as well.

Click to read more...

 

[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

i'm gonna go with no, most amps are not built to dissipate heat that way even with fans. last couple I've seen mounted with guts up have fried shortly after.

 

[ahole-ic]

I have an older AQ3500 and i'm building a custom center console amp rack with plexi. Just wondering is the amp will be ok mounting upside down so the "guts" are showing through the plexi? The box will have 2 cooling fans as well.

You're asking if the amp will last this way. The answer is not so simple. If your fans cool much OTHER than those fins along the case no. If you blow air onto the fins rather than use negative pressure to draw air across the fins... no. I don't think it's worth it and amp "guts" as you put it are not attractive, but if you want to do it clearly you care more about looks than performance so just do it and don't worry about it. Save up money for repair costs though.

 

[97maxima 10+ year member]

sounds awesome op do it.

 

[kramer_212 10+ year member]

will more than likely have cooling problems

 

[oxsign 5,000+ posts]

but if you want to do it clearly you care more about looks than performance so just do it and don't worry about it. Save up money for repair costs though.

LOL, wow.

 

[wenn_du_weinst 10+ year member]

I've never used an aq amp so I don't know how hot they get but it should be fine with fans. My DD was they are known to overheat.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

I'd like to see proof of these amps that supposedly fried simply from being mounted upside down, I call bs.

 

[oxsign 5,000+ posts]

I'd like to see proof of these amps that supposedly fried simply from being mounted upside down, I call bs.

I kinda have the same thought, BUT i've never done it myself. I've been in the "game" for quite some time now, and i've seen alot of amps done this way. As I said though, i've never personally done it. That's why I asked this question to see if those that have done it without issues have any tips on doing it right.

 

[oxsign 5,000+ posts]

I will have 2-3 fans in the setup (push/pull style). As well as the rack itself will not be completely closed off or sealed.

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

May be ok may not be but think about it... Heat rises and the cooling for your amp (heat sinks) is going to be on the bottom side...

 

[ahole-ic]

I'd like to see proof of these amps that supposedly fried simply from being mounted upside down, I call bs.

Why ask for proof? Why not just do it with YOUR equipment? That should be a pretty good experiment.

 

[ahole-ic]

May be ok may not be but think about it... Heat rises and the cooling for your amp (heat sinks) is going to be on the bottom side...

Exactly. Any passive cooling solution is relying on it's own heat creating a little airflow. As the heat moves through the fins (all curving upward) it enters the air and continues up. This creates a void and cooler air fills it. Thus you get a slight amount of circulation. When the heatsink is upside down, it is able to dissipate much less heat and actually traps a LOT. Does this mean the equipment will magically fail the first time you use it? Absolutely not. It will run warmer than normal and will most likely shorten its life. Fans if used properly on the case of the amplifier can remedy the entire situation though.

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

Exactly. Any passive cooling solution is relying on it's own heat creating a little airflow. As the heat moves through the fins (all curving upward) it enters the air and continues up. This creates a void and cooler air fills it. Thus you get a slight amount of circulation. When the heatsink is upside down, it is able to dissipate much less heat and actually traps a LOT. Does this mean the equipment will magically fail the first time you use it? Absolutely not. It will run warmer than normal and will most likely shorten its life. Fans if used properly on the case of the amplifier can remedy the entire situation though.

OP post a pic of what you are thinking and maybe we can help a little better... it sounds cool but if you dont do it right it will end bad and that would **** to be buying a new amp...

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

Why ask for proof? Why not just do it with YOUR equipment? That should be a pretty good experiment.

Thanks for proving my point (that you're talking out your ass. I understand the physics behind heat sinking and agree it may not be optimal, but to claim that amplifiers have "fried" simply from being mounted upside down is straight up BS.