6U rack with open space or 4U rack with fan?

[romanianreaper]

Trying to keep a fairly portable rig but also tryong to be smart. I have a Fryette PS-2A, Synergy Syn-2 and a Furman Power Conditioner. I only need four spaces but people have mentioned it helps to have spaces between gear.

The difference between a 4U and 6U is about 5 pounds. Not a lot but would be awesome to be cheaper, more compact and lighter. I don't want to have overheating gear though either. If i got a fan, would that be as good as having space between components?

 

[Mike Oxhuge]

Maybe a shallow one like this would work? Also will allow more heat to escape being shallow and lighter.
https://www.seismicaudiospeakers.co...act-abs-rack-case-6u-pa-dj-shallow-rack-case#

 

[Rackman]

It looks like the PS-2A rack mount kit provides an air gap above and below it. So IMO even 4U no special fan will be fine. The PS-2A on top would be ideal but it may depend on being able to reach the back of the Furman. Probably any order will not overheat.

 

[Rackman]

Maybe a shallow one like this would work? Also will allow more heat to escape being shallow and lighter.
https://www.seismicaudiospeakers.co...act-abs-rack-case-6u-pa-dj-shallow-rack-case#

Shallow is good but make sure you have depth for cable plugs. You don't want stuff sticking out the back. It risks getting hit and damage to the jacks.

 

[DanTravis62]

I used a racked up ps1 for many years with no issues - in fact, i started out with a drawer on top of it to give it a bit more breathing space, but it never needed it.

Now the ps2 might be alot hotter, i dunno, but at least in my experience the rackmount kits for the power stations leave tons of space

 

[romanianreaper]

You guys mentioned the rack mount kits and I ordered on this morning. So does the rack mount kit make it a 2 space? In other words, the amp by itself is smaller than a 2-space rackmount area? I think i should be fine because the Furman has a really shallow depth so air can flow out of that space and the PS-2A is not wide.

 

[DanTravis62]

You guys mentioned the rack mount kits and I ordered on this morning. So does the rack mount kit make it a 2 space? In other words, the amp by itself is smaller than a 2-space rackmount area? I think i should be fine because the Furman has a really shallow depth so air can flow out of that space and the PS-2A is not wide.

yes, it makes it a 2 space and there's a lot of air on the sides and a little bit on top and bottom. It's got quite a bit of airflow and IME it never got super hot.
I would put it either on top or bottom of the rack, just in case, but honestly it's not like a 2/90/2 or something where they get death hot

 

[stratjacket]

When I watch touring rigs of artist on YouTube, they’re always racked tight, no air gap. Also even though my rack I showed gets really hot to the touch, it works fine. I’m no expert, but if I was going for a home studio Rig, I’d have an air gap. If I plan to do shows and move it around, I’d go for easiest to transport.

The Synergy manual does have this note:
Heat – PREAMP should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other PREAMP (including PREAMPs) that produce heat.

 

[romanianreaper]

When I watch touring rigs of artist on YouTube, they’re always racked tight, no air gap. Also even though my rack I showed gets really hot to the touch, it works fine. I’m no expert, but if I was going for a home studio Rig, I’d have an air gap. If I plan to do shows and move it around, I’d go for easiest to transport.

The Synergy manual does have this note:
Heat – PREAMP should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other PREAMP (including PREAMPs) that produce heat.

I thought maybe I should put the Power Station on the bottom, then the Furman with the shallow depth, then the Syn-2 at the top.

 

[Mike Oxhuge]

Also remember heat rises so as long as it doesn't make it too top heavy, I'd put the Power Station on top.