New box / EQ install done! (pics)

Kale · 06-23-2002, 06:34 PM

The top hasn't been made yet, I'm still trying to figure out cooling. After 45 minutes, to call the big ARC amp warm would be exaggeration.. but the little arc amp gets TOASTY!!

problems solved by box:
1) lack of storage space
2) appearance
3) amps finally individually fused

problems solved by eq:
1) Sub no longer plays 20hz and "farts"
2) resonance around 120 hz GONE without sacrificing SQ
3) extra "sharpness" in KoRn and similar songs defeated.

I havent decided where to put the fan, and if im going to carpet the top, or use tan vinyl.

_Nomad_ · 06-23-2002, 08:53 PM

Maybe you could have the amps “Flush mounted”. That would help solve the heat problem and look cool. Cut holes in the top and have just the top of the amps exposed flush with the top. Also, put a couple CPU fans in there. One in the back blowing forward and one up front behind the driver seat blowing forward to a vent in the side. Between the two you should be ok with heat dispersal.

I would also carpet that top; it will look more stock that way and give the illusion that your amps are sunk into the floor.

Here is my amp rack by itself. It flows into the sub enclosure when installed but you can see that the amps and cap are flush mounted.

When installed it all looks sunk into the floor. I finnished my electronic crossover cover and will take a pic of the finnished look and post it. Maybe you'll get a better idea what I mean when I do.

Your systems looking good. What is in that gray enclosure Kale, a 10" sub?

Kale · 06-23-2002, 09:02 PM

i have the cpu fans, just dont know WHERE in the box to put 'em

yeah, its an IDQ10 in the box.

LD85 · 06-23-2002, 09:29 PM

I lknow there is no substitute for good cooling but I only have two amps.

I used the PEG board that has holes in it like you hang your tools on and then covered it with fabric that mathced my interior. Seems to vent up thru the holes very well.

92TripleBlack · 06-24-2002, 12:27 AM

Use the fans. You may want to find an area you can exhaust out of and make a vent. For example, if the sub is not tight all around there, put the fan near the amps and have it blow over the amp and toward the sub.

mrkln · 06-24-2002, 01:30 PM

Looks good. I would use carpet to cover the rack. It will be far more durable than vinyl. What kind of eq are you using?

Kale · 06-24-2002, 02:04 PM

It's an alpine 3401 parametric

ToniH · 06-24-2002, 03:17 PM

Nice setup you got there, you are giving me some nice ideas.

Here is couple of possibilities for cooling:

1 blow out the heat:
cut 1 or 2 fresh air vents to the front of the box facing your forward. Then cut one exit hole to the rear of the box facing up. Install a fan to this exit vent to push hot air out. The fresh air will automaticly enter the box when hot air exits (most high end computer cases work this way). You can make this even more efficient if you like by placing another fan to a intake vent to suck fresh air in. The vent could be placed in this case in front of the amps.

2 pull in the cool air:
cut two fresh air vents to the front as in sugg. 1. but place both fans there to suck fresh air in. The hot air will hopefully exit through the gaps around your sub box. If there is no gaps after carpeting you need to cut a exit vent.

Don't know which one of these is more efficient but I suspect number 1. It is always good to blow hot air out. Fresh, cooler air must enter as a vacuum cannot exist inside the box.

Of course you can experiment as the both examples need the same holes. You can just switch the fans around, play some music and measure air temp inside the box. This way you find the best way for sure.

Good luck.

ToniH