February 15, 2011
Heat is one of the main causes of equipment failure and must be addressed at the beginning of any job/project.
Eliminating heat will help meet the life expectancy and increase the longevity of audio/visual equipment and will result in a better yachting experience for owners and guests.
It seems our industry has spent a lot more time selling “stuff" or talking about the newest server system then on protecting an already-substantial investment. We were quick to “rip them out” and replace problem equipment with new equipment to get things working again.
This is only a temporary fix, a Band-aid of sorts, and never really addresses the reason the equipment failed in the first place.
To make things worse, sometimes we add "more" equipment to the system. This equipment is usually stored in closed cabinets, or mounted in racks that are tight and leave little space for anything. Heat generated by equipment has nowhere to go, builds up and substantially shortens the life and performance of the equipment.
So how do we address getting rid of the heat and, at the same time, do it quietly?
There is a myth that placing equipment on open shelves or cabinets without doors or backing, and then blowing air on it will solve the heat problem. Actually, this can turn the area into a small convection oven.
Don’t just move hot air around; get rid of it, as we do with a clothes dryer. In most applications, removing hot air with fans has been the most effective way to reduce the heat.
Using a fan to exhaust hot air and reducing the pressure in the cabinet will help pull cooler air inside the enclosure. The fan can also be turned around to blow cooler air inside, thus pushing hot air out.
Positioning the equipment can also help control how heat is distributed throughout the enclosure or rack. Remember that heat rises, so place equipment that generates the most heat, such as amplifiers and satellite receivers, at the top.
Equally important is removing the heat quietly so we don’t disturb the listening area.
Cheap fans vibrate and make a buzzing noise. If they are attached to a thin backing on a cabinet, they tend to resonate and amplify the sound even more. Muffin-type fans cause a tone sound.
Smaller fans create a “whooshing” noise the faster they spin and the sound of the air moving diminishes the listening and sometimes sleeping experience.
Bigger is not always better. Bigger fans can also be noisy. So choose the right fan for the right application and place it in the most effective location. Move the fans away from the listening area and try and follow the “suck and pull” rule. Suck in the air from the bottom (as it is cooler) and pull it through the equipment to be exhausted from the top of the cabinet or rack. You can also use a heat shield strip to help protect equipment that has to live near the heat-generating components.
When upgrading a cabin or space, look to add the correct ventilation as insurance in helping add life and longevity to your equipment. The elimination of the heat will keep equipment performing longer and will perform better, which will result in fewer service calls, less replacing of equipment and, most importantly, keep owners and guests happy.
This makes your vessel a happy place and helps keep the heat off of you.
About the Author
