hi, I intend to install fan on my amplifier heat sink. in fact the fan come with the heat sink. it was an AMD CPU cooling system fan. But I will power the fan with a separate 5V switching power suppy form the main AC. it sound silly, I know. But the switching power supply will cost me $3 only. it is rated 5V 500mA. will it effect the amplifier in any way.......thanks
The SMPS may introduce some HF noise onto the primary of the amplifier transformer which may be transferred to the secondary (very little of it though because of the different core type). The main problem that I expect may be with radiated noise. This is due to the operating frequency of the SMPS and would be greater than the noise coming from the mains. To counteract this, I would put some kind of shielding around the SMPS in the form of copper clad board connected to mains earth. this would get rid of most radiated noise.
In any case, he noise won't be massive but if you are sensitive to it, then it may well be noticeable.
In any case, he noise won't be massive but if you are sensitive to it, then it may well be noticeable.
Cooling
Can you fit a bigger heat sink instead? I've been contemplating a huge 1 inch plate of aluminum to mount my amp on, and even as far as water or fluid cooling (silicone compund similar to heat sink compound).
Actually for a fan to work, there needs to be more fins for absorption, air trapping, and heat conduction. Air actually has to "hang around" or move through slowly to absorb the heat. There was quite a difference in design between wind tunnel heat sinks and regular heat sinks. When you use a fan, be sure some of the breeze cools the capacitors. Most chips have good thermal protection, but capacitors are defenseless to heat. Most amplifiers that use fans today have variable speeds or thermal cuttoffs/control.
And of course dust, noise, and acoustic noise will leave its mark.
Can you fit a bigger heat sink instead? I've been contemplating a huge 1 inch plate of aluminum to mount my amp on, and even as far as water or fluid cooling (silicone compund similar to heat sink compound).
Actually for a fan to work, there needs to be more fins for absorption, air trapping, and heat conduction. Air actually has to "hang around" or move through slowly to absorb the heat. There was quite a difference in design between wind tunnel heat sinks and regular heat sinks. When you use a fan, be sure some of the breeze cools the capacitors. Most chips have good thermal protection, but capacitors are defenseless to heat. Most amplifiers that use fans today have variable speeds or thermal cuttoffs/control.
And of course dust, noise, and acoustic noise will leave its mark.
Last edited:
hey thanks Wwenze, the fan label says it is 12V. PWM, another additional circuit?, I think a direct 5V will give a slow steady stream of air also the mechanical noise wll be much less. you ever heard the PC fan screaming when the CPU is hot. ghee, I dont want that kind of noise while listening to music..............thanks
- Status
- This old topic is closed. If you want to reopen this topic, contact a moderator using the "Report Post" button.