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#1
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cooling fan for guitar amp
Hi
I am installing a small fan in my valve amp to try and cool down the tubes. I've bought a Cooler Master Aero Fan 12V computer fan, but it only comes with a connector for inside a computer, what do i need to do, or what kind of adaptor do I need to run this fan from the mains? thanks Rob |
#2
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If you are using a 12 volt fan, you will require a 12 volt 500 ma
regulated power supply to run it. Some of these fans from the computer supplies are either 12 volt, 15 volt, or 5 volt. You will have to check it out, and use the right type of supply. This can get a bit cumbersome. Go to any of the electronic parts distributor and get a 120 VAC fan, or if you are in Europe you would probably need a 240 VAC fan, and wire it to the mains input after the main power switch in the amp. This way, no extra power supply will be required. If you want to use a low voltage fan, the cost of the supply, the loss of time to wire it up and install it, will be more than the value of having the right fan in the first place. -- Greetings, Jerry Greenberg GLG Technologies GLG ========================================= WebPage http://www.zoom-one.com Electronics http://www.zoom-one.com/electron.htm ========================================= "Rob" wrote in message ... Hi I am installing a small fan in my valve amp to try and cool down the tubes. I've bought a Cooler Master Aero Fan 12V computer fan, but it only comes with a connector for inside a computer, what do i need to do, or what kind of adaptor do I need to run this fan from the mains? thanks Rob |
#3
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Rob wrote:
Hi I am installing a small fan in my valve amp to try and cool down the tubes. I've bought a Cooler Master Aero Fan 12V computer fan, but it only comes with a connector for inside a computer, what do i need to do, or what kind of adaptor do I need to run this fan from the mains? thanks Rob You should have bought a mains fan... In fact, buy two normal mains AC fans, wire them in series. They will still provide useful cooling but be much quieter. A |
#4
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Couple of diodes from the heater supply, maybe a small cap,
connect up and you're ready! Rudy "Andy Dee" wrote in message ... : Rob wrote: : Hi : I am installing a small fan in my valve amp to try and cool down the tubes. : I've bought a Cooler Master Aero Fan 12V computer fan, but it only comes : with a connector for inside a computer, what do i need to do, or what kind : of adaptor do I need to run this fan from the mains? : : thanks : Rob : : : You should have bought a mains fan... : In fact, buy two normal mains AC fans, wire them in series. They will : still provide useful cooling but be much quieter. : A : |
#5
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Hm, was assuming that's a case ventilator model, it isn't
a heatsink-with-fan, is it ? 12V fan's run fine from 6 to 7 V, even at 5 Volts, given a 'startin' nudge' But if electronics isn't your thing, you're better of with an old wall-wart with 6 to 9 V DC connected to the fan. "Ruud Broens" wrote in message ... : Couple of diodes from the heater supply, maybe a small cap, : connect up and you're ready! : Rudy : "Andy Dee" wrote in message : ... : : Rob wrote: : : Hi : : I am installing a small fan in my valve amp to try and cool down the : tubes. : : I've bought a Cooler Master Aero Fan 12V computer fan, but it only comes : : with a connector for inside a computer, what do i need to do, or what : kind : : of adaptor do I need to run this fan from the mains? : : : : thanks : : Rob : : : : : : You should have bought a mains fan... : : In fact, buy two normal mains AC fans, wire them in series. They will : : still provide useful cooling but be much quieter. : : A : : : : |
#6
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I used a computer fan like that for a while - somebody claimed that a DC
motor close to the amp would be quieter electrically than an AC motor. Anyhow, I used a cell-phone charger that put out 12v (are they all 12v?) and used that. I had the fan stuck to the underside of the vent blowing air out. Whether it actually helped anything or not, who knows? -- Phil Wilson [MVP Windows Installer] "Rob" wrote in message ... Hi I am installing a small fan in my valve amp to try and cool down the tubes. I've bought a Cooler Master Aero Fan 12V computer fan, but it only comes with a connector for inside a computer, what do i need to do, or what kind of adaptor do I need to run this fan from the mains? thanks Rob |
#7
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In article , "Rob" wrote:
Hi I am installing a small fan in my valve amp to try and cool down the tubes. I've bought a Cooler Master Aero Fan 12V computer fan, but it only comes with a connector for inside a computer, what do i need to do, or what kind of adaptor do I need to run this fan from the mains? Well the simplest solution is get a 12 volt 500 ma Wall Wart of any type and cut the leads, twist them together, and tape them. You may have to measure which lead is plus. You will have an extra thing to plug in. greg |
#8
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#9
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On Sat, 8 Nov 2003 12:50:27 +0000 (UTC), "Rob"
wrote: Hi I am installing a small fan in my valve amp to try and cool down the tubes. I've bought a Cooler Master Aero Fan 12V computer fan, but it only comes with a connector for inside a computer, what do i need to do, or what kind of adaptor do I need to run this fan from the mains? What makes you feel they're too hot? |
#10
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I use Mouser ball bearing fans that are wired for 240/120 vac use.
I then use the 240 vac scheme to allow the fan to turn at 1/2 the speed if wired for 120 vac. All the air I need & zero noise. Wire it through you amp supply switch or install a separate 2-prong plug. I use these in vintage AC30's directly under the mains tranny, after I fabricate a new chassis mounting board. Works great & prevents tranny meltdown (along with a proper cap job). Phil Farano Ampmedic "Rob" wrote in message ... Hi I am installing a small fan in my valve amp to try and cool down the tubes. I've bought a Cooler Master Aero Fan 12V computer fan, but it only comes with a connector for inside a computer, what do i need to do, or what kind of adaptor do I need to run this fan from the mains? thanks Rob |
#11
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If you have an effects power supply in your amp for echo or flanger etc. it
will be 9v try and get a 9v fan. "Ruud Broens" wrote in message ... Hm, was assuming that's a case ventilator model, it isn't a heatsink-with-fan, is it ? 12V fan's run fine from 6 to 7 V, even at 5 Volts, given a 'startin' nudge' But if electronics isn't your thing, you're better of with an old wall-wart with 6 to 9 V DC connected to the fan. "Ruud Broens" wrote in message ... : Couple of diodes from the heater supply, maybe a small cap, : connect up and you're ready! : Rudy : "Andy Dee" wrote in message : ... : : Rob wrote: : : Hi : : I am installing a small fan in my valve amp to try and cool down the : tubes. : : I've bought a Cooler Master Aero Fan 12V computer fan, but it only comes : : with a connector for inside a computer, what do i need to do, or what : kind : : of adaptor do I need to run this fan from the mains? : : : : thanks : : Rob : : : : : : You should have bought a mains fan... : : In fact, buy two normal mains AC fans, wire them in series. They will : : still provide useful cooling but be much quieter. : : A : : : : |
#12
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"dickydoo" wrote in message ... : If you have an effects power supply in your amp for echo or flanger etc. it : will be 9v try and get a 9v fan. ---now, why on earth should he get a 9 V fan? that 12V will run fine, I'd rather start adding diodes from 9V down till it'sa whisprin' quit steady breeze.. Rudy : "Ruud Broens" wrote in message : ... : Hm, was assuming that's a case ventilator model, it isn't : a heatsink-with-fan, is it ? : 12V fan's run fine from 6 to 7 V, even at 5 Volts, given a : 'startin' nudge' : But if electronics isn't your thing, you're better of with : an old wall-wart with 6 to 9 V DC connected to the fan. : : "Ruud Broens" wrote in message : ... : : Couple of diodes from the heater supply, maybe a small cap, : : connect up and you're ready! : : Rudy : : "Andy Dee" wrote in message : : ... : : : Rob wrote: : : : Hi : : : I am installing a small fan in my valve amp to try and cool down the : : tubes. : : : I've bought a Cooler Master Aero Fan 12V computer fan, but it only : comes : : : with a connector for inside a computer, what do i need to do, or : what : : kind : : : of adaptor do I need to run this fan from the mains? : : : : : : thanks : : : Rob : : : : : : : : : You should have bought a mains fan... : : : In fact, buy two normal mains AC fans, wire them in series. They will : : : still provide useful cooling but be much quieter. : : : A : : : : : : : : : : : |
#13
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Fine.But maybe this person hasn't the skills to do this.
"Ruud Broens" wrote in message ... "dickydoo" wrote in message ... : If you have an effects power supply in your amp for echo or flanger etc. it : will be 9v try and get a 9v fan. ---now, why on earth should he get a 9 V fan? that 12V will run fine, I'd rather start adding diodes from 9V down till it'sa whisprin' quit steady breeze.. Rudy : "Ruud Broens" wrote in message : ... : Hm, was assuming that's a case ventilator model, it isn't : a heatsink-with-fan, is it ? : 12V fan's run fine from 6 to 7 V, even at 5 Volts, given a : 'startin' nudge' : But if electronics isn't your thing, you're better of with : an old wall-wart with 6 to 9 V DC connected to the fan. : : "Ruud Broens" wrote in message : ... : : Couple of diodes from the heater supply, maybe a small cap, : : connect up and you're ready! : : Rudy : : "Andy Dee" wrote in message : : ... : : : Rob wrote: : : : Hi : : : I am installing a small fan in my valve amp to try and cool down the : : tubes. : : : I've bought a Cooler Master Aero Fan 12V computer fan, but it only : comes : : : with a connector for inside a computer, what do i need to do, or : what : : kind : : : of adaptor do I need to run this fan from the mains? : : : : : : thanks : : : Rob : : : : : : : : : You should have bought a mains fan... : : : In fact, buy two normal mains AC fans, wire them in series. They will : : : still provide useful cooling but be much quieter. : : : A : : : : : : : : : : : |
#14
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"dickydoo" wrote in message ... : Fine.But maybe this person hasn't the skills to do this. He, come on now, an aspiring guitar players' mindset should include being eager to learn a good trick or two along the Way.. Major7, Rudy : "Ruud Broens" wrote in message : ... : : "dickydoo" wrote in message : ... : : If you have an effects power supply in your amp for echo or flanger etc. : it : : will be 9v try and get a 9v fan. : ---now, why on earth should he get a 9 V fan? : that 12V will run fine, I'd rather start adding diodes from : 9V down till it'sa whisprin' quit steady breeze.. : Rudy : |
#15
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Yeah I guess so . I bet you dont need cooling fans in Holland.
"Ruud Broens" wrote in message ... "dickydoo" wrote in message ... : Fine.But maybe this person hasn't the skills to do this. He, come on now, an aspiring guitar players' mindset should include being eager to learn a good trick or two along the Way.. Major7, Rudy : "Ruud Broens" wrote in message : ... : : "dickydoo" wrote in message : ... : : If you have an effects power supply in your amp for echo or flanger etc. : it : : will be 9v try and get a 9v fan. : ---now, why on earth should he get a 9 V fan? : that 12V will run fine, I'd rather start adding diodes from : 9V down till it'sa whisprin' quit steady breeze.. : Rudy : |
#16
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"dickydoo" wrote in message ... : Yeah I guess so . I bet you dont need cooling fans in Holland. Nah, we use windmills to feed the airco's - but seriously, it's been getting steadily warmer the last 30 years in large parts of Europe - witness the popularity of open roof model cars; all but the smallest cars having airco as standard Cheers, Rudy: : |
#17
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Ruud Broens wrote: "dickydoo" wrote in message ... : Yeah I guess so . I bet you dont need cooling fans in Holland. Nah, we use windmills to feed the airco's - but seriously, it's been getting steadily warmer the last 30 years in large parts of Europe - witness the popularity of open roof model cars; all but the smallest cars having airco as standard Cheers, Rudy: : In many guitar amps, the tubes hang downward under the chassis which is upside down in many combo boxes. This makes sure the chassis runs hot, and the tubes cooler, since air rises. In amp heads, or hi-fi amps, the chassis is right way up, and there should be 12 x 10mm dia holes drilled around each output tube to allow an air flow up arond the tubes. You need holes in the bottom cover of the chassis to allow air to enert the sub chassis area, and flow past the gear, and out through the holes drilled around the output tubes. Ams like Quad II get quite warm on hot days we get here when the indoor temperature can reach 35 degrees for those without aircons. I like to mount such amps up on feet about 5/8" high, and drill lots of holes in the bottom plate, and around the tube sockets to allow an air flow. This should cool the glass down a bit. The anodes are within a vacuum, and will still get hot with or without draft or forced air cooling. Transmitter tubes sometimes have an anode which is external, and specially made with a copper heat exchanger, and such tubes are not much bigger than a KT88, but they can dissipate hundreds of watts with a suitable blower, which forces a lot of air through the anode heat exchanger fins. 500w of power output isn't to hard to arrange, but for continuous 500w, you'd need 750w for heat dissipation for class AB. They are not much good with hifi amps, because the fans are noisy. Mounting such tubes in tanks full of oil might provide the answer to noise. The audio use of such tubes does not involve bulky RF coils which need to be close to the tubes, so the tube pack can be a separate module unit with OPT and input driver amp mounted conventionally, but with an oil pump and passive heat exchanger, perhaps like the radiator on the back of a fridge. Its all a lot messier than using a bunch of transistors, or mosfets, and a large finned heatsink, or simply using more conventional tubes. Patrick Turner. .. |
#18
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"Patrick Turner" wrote in message ... : Transmitter tubes sometimes have an anode which is external, : and specially made with a copper heat exchanger, and such tubes are : not much bigger than a KT88, but they can dissipate hundreds of watts : with a suitable blower, : which forces a lot of air through the anode heat exchanger fins. : 500w of power output isn't to hard to arrange, but for continuous : 500w, you'd need 750w for heat dissipation for class AB. : : They are not much good with hifi amps, because the fans are noisy. : : Mounting such tubes in tanks full of oil might provide the answer to : noise. : The audio use of such tubes does not involve bulky : RF coils which need to be close to the tubes, so the tube pack : can be a separate module unit with OPT and input driver amp : mounted conventionally, : but with an oil pump and : passive heat exchanger, perhaps like the radiator on the back of a : fridge. : : Its all a lot messier than using a bunch of transistors, or mosfets, : and a large finned heatsink, or simply using more conventional tubes. : : Patrick Turner. Hehe, you should see what people build just to get rid of a 'lousy' 70 Watts from their microprocessor Rudy: |
#19
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"Rob" writes:
Hi I am installing a small fan in my valve amp to try and cool down the tubes. I've bought a Cooler Master Aero Fan 12V computer fan, but it only comes with a connector for inside a computer, what do i need to do, or what kind of adaptor do I need to run this fan from the mains? You need to buy a "wall wart" that converts the mains voltage to 12V DC that si suitble for the fan. Wire the "wall wart" output to the FAN connector or wires (black wire = minus/ground). This will do it. -- Tomi Engdahl (http://www.iki.fi/then/) Take a look at my electronics web links and documents at http://www.epanorama.net/ |
#20
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If you do the wall wart idea there is actually room for it inside the metal
chassis in most cases if you want to retain a clean stock look under the hood Doug "Tomi Holger Engdahl" wrote in message ... "Rob" writes: Hi I am installing a small fan in my valve amp to try and cool down the tubes. I've bought a Cooler Master Aero Fan 12V computer fan, but it only comes with a connector for inside a computer, what do i need to do, or what kind of adaptor do I need to run this fan from the mains? You need to buy a "wall wart" that converts the mains voltage to 12V DC that si suitble for the fan. Wire the "wall wart" output to the FAN connector or wires (black wire = minus/ground). This will do it. -- Tomi Engdahl (http://www.iki.fi/then/) Take a look at my electronics web links and documents at http://www.epanorama.net/ |
#21
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Hi guys
It gets hot in Australia also and I have researched a solution. The old Fender amps had power plugs in the back of them and if you look at old films like "Woodstock the movie" you can see that they used these plugs to power big freestanding fans. Why use tiny little fans in hot weather or hot conditions when you can place a big fan behind your gear. Keep your equipment and yourself cool. tony.r http://www.ncable.com.au/~tony.r/ |
#22
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"tony.r" spambam@aussie wrote in message ... Hi guys It gets hot in Australia also and I have researched a solution. The old Fender amps had power plugs in the back of them and if you look at old films like "Woodstock the movie" you can see that they used these plugs to power big freestanding fans. Why use tiny little fans in hot weather or hot conditions when you can place a big fan behind your gear. Keep your equipment and yourself cool. tony.r http://www.ncable.com.au/~tony.r/ I mounted a 6" AC powered muffin fan in my Vibrosonic Reverb, I just plugged it into the Convenience outlet when I used it. I don't know that it really helped much though, I never burnt anything up with or without the fan. |
#23
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"tony.r" spambam@aussie wrote in message ... Hi guys It gets hot in Australia also and I have researched a solution. The old Fender amps had power plugs in the back of them and if you look at old films like "Woodstock the movie" you can see that they used these plugs to power big freestanding fans. Why use tiny little fans in hot weather or hot conditions when you can place a big fan behind your gear. Keep your equipment and yourself cool. tony.r http://www.ncable.com.au/~tony.r/ Well... of course. Then again, why even plug the 'big fans' into the amp..? ? Just plug them into an outlet. There should be plenty of outlets around...eh.. ? ? One of the drummers I gig with has his OWN power strip and four fans, two of which have big 'clips' on them to clip here and there. He has all these fans blowin on him to keep HIM cool..! ! ! (he IS a hot drummer...! ! ) It would be easy enough to use a small 'clip-on' fan, clip it onto the back of the amp, the handle, or the back of a combo, and plug it into any available outlet. Aim the fan at the area of the amp to be cooled. Of course this might not be the fix for a closed back cab/combo... and while not that 'elegant', it may be plenty effective. I have a fan that I use in my garage on hot summer days. It's about 5" in dia. and on the end of a 'flex' mount, with a spring-clip for a 'base'. I can clip it on to most anything and bend/twist it to move air where I want. Just my 5 centimes... gtski |
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