Should I get a fan installed in my rack for my Mesa?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Myriad_Rocker
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Myriad_Rocker

Myriad_Rocker

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It's been a while since I had my Dual Rec out of the ATA flight case that I keep it in. I'm in a band that gigs and an ATA case is crazy useful for protecting my gear and just general storage.

Anyway, I had it out so that I could bring it in the studio to record some stuff for the new album. After I was done, I noticed quite a bit of heat coming from the top grate. Not so much from the rear of the amp. I know that heat rises...but my question is...is keeping my amp in that ATA case hurting it? The back is completely open at all times when playing. But I'm worried that not enough heat is escaping. I didn't think anything of it until now...because, well, touring bands use these things ALL the time and leave the amps in them the whole time.

Should I install a fan? How can I do that? Do they make fans for this purpose?

See picture for what kind of case I'm talking about. Mine has this same config...just more rack spaces and thicker foam and just all around more sturdy.
 

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I have worked with hundreds of rectifiers in cases sort of similar to what you showed in the picture. In fact, probably 7 or 8 in the last 2 weeks. Anyhow, no one leaves them in a case like that while they play unless there is vent space above the amp also. If the amp is flat mounted like that they either take it out, or are only playing a short set without pushing it hard. I am not sure that even a fan would help much. The vents on the top need to stay open for the heat to dissipate properly. Even just one rack space of opening is enough however:)
 
xstatic said:
I have worked with hundreds of rectifiers in cases sort of similar to what you showed in the picture. In fact, probably 7 or 8 in the last 2 weeks. Anyhow, no one leaves them in a case like that while they play unless there is vent space above the amp also. If the amp is flat mounted like that they either take it out, or are only playing a short set without pushing it hard. I am not sure that even a fan would help much. The vents on the top need to stay open for the heat to dissipate properly. Even just one rack space of opening is enough however:)
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I would very much prefer to leave it in the case when playing gigs because I have the effects loop all connected and wires running in a somewhat organized manner.

I'll see if I can take a saw to the foam that covers the vent portion. I'll try to carve out a decent space about the size of a rack space and a half or so. Shouldn't be too much of a problem at all with a decent saw. If done right, I bet no one will even be able to tell it wasn't supposed to be like that.
 
As long as you can generate sufficient air convection to wick the heat away from the Mesa, you should be able to keep it in the case. You should be able to cobble up some kind of fan mount at the back of the case using a large muffin fan, or just get a smallish home-duty fan and set it up at the back.
 
Hottest stuff goes to the top. not a yes for the fan...a hell yes!

move the heat away form the gear....if live, you might even keep the smoke and dust away.

definitely, as much space as you can afford in between units too.

cosmetics mean nothing next to functionality and keeping the gear cool, so if you can do the fan.
 
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