Notices
Audio & Video Systems, Navigation, Satellite Radio & Mobile Electronics
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Innova

Amplifier air circulation

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 6, 2005 | 07:25 PM
  #1  
bgblktruk's Avatar
bgblktruk
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 383
Likes: 6
From: California
Amplifier air circulation

Hey guys I'm wondering how much air circulation a couple of smaller amps need. I don't want to ask the exact application because I'm doing this for security issues with my truck. But I can get an estimate of the dimensions of the area. I know this sounds vague but lets say 2 500 w alpine amps.

Thanks

Mike
 
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2005 | 10:28 PM
  #2  
RangerPilot's Avatar
RangerPilot
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
Likes: 4
From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Look I promise you, you saying what amps and what you truck is isn't going to really endager it, most of us have pictures in our galleries of our trucks with license plates obviously shown and our location in our profile. We're not worried. We own guns. ;-)

ANYWAYS, give an inch of clearance on all sides, especially in front of the fan if applicable.
 
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2005 | 12:39 AM
  #3  
200Proof's Avatar
200Proof
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
I could tell you, but... I don't think you have the right security clearance.
 
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2005 | 12:47 AM
  #4  
bgblktruk's Avatar
bgblktruk
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 383
Likes: 6
From: California
Ok first of all I have an 88 bronco. I've removed most every piece of interior except the front seats and parts of the dash. Anyhow I'm going away from the stock rear panels and installing diamond plate thats coated with spray liner or roll on liner (Rhino, Line-X, etc...) I want to put the amps behind this maybe with a plexi glass panel. I could install a fan and or some slots for air circulation.

As for the security issues... You guys got me. But remember I'm out in LA theft is a real concern. Oh yeah and I have guns to but everyone out here doing crime does too.

Thanks

Mike

As a secondary question are there any air circulation issues for cross overs?
 
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2005 | 10:09 AM
  #5  
fordboy_52's Avatar
fordboy_52
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 6
From: Abilene Kansas
i always give a half a foot around the fans and pref a little room for breathing past them

Matt
 
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2005 | 12:28 PM
  #6  
RomerB2's Avatar
RomerB2
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 1
From: Bixby, OK
I don't think anybody here knows who you are out in LA. I understand your reason for concern, but I don't think anybody knows where you live..

Anyways, I would give around 6" or so around at least the heatsink. As for your secondary question, I don't think you have to give any room for crossovers, I see people with them mounted behind the door panel without any air circulation at all.
 
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2005 | 02:24 PM
  #7  
bgblktruk's Avatar
bgblktruk
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 383
Likes: 6
From: California
I'm not so worried about people know me. I'm more worried about seeing the bronco around and knowing what I've got in it. I've rethought it and I'm not too worried.

As for the six inches I don't have that (for the amp anyhow) Its more like 3". But I could put a couple of fans in there. I could also put some grooves with some screen on the backside to allow for more cooling.

Well the crossover info is good news. Can those be close to the amps without any problems?

Thanks

Mike
 
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2005 | 02:32 PM
  #8  
RomerB2's Avatar
RomerB2
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 1
From: Bixby, OK
3 inches is going to be ok, especially with fans.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 7, 2005 | 04:21 PM
  #9  
RangerPilot's Avatar
RangerPilot
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
Likes: 4
From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Yep if you got cooling fans, as long as they keep the air moving at a decent rate, you can drastically cut down on the room around them. My manual says a minimum of one inch, so just keep SOME room around them and keep that air a movin'!
 
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2005 | 05:01 PM
  #10  
LinearPower's Avatar
LinearPower
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Central Ohio
Actually with cooling fans you want very little clearance around the heat sinks so that the air being pushed by the fans will HAVE to cross them. If you go to the site below it has a section on amp racks, which is what I would recommend.

http://www.bcae1.com
 
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2005 | 05:58 PM
  #11  
bgblktruk's Avatar
bgblktruk
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 383
Likes: 6
From: California
sweet guys thanks. I'll have a separate post for wiring but I wonder if you have any suggestions about having the amps and crossovers in a relatively confined area. I was thinking about running the power wires on the exterior and bringing them into a block in the panel. I'll take a picture of the panel and the rear of the truck to make this clear.

Thanks

Mike
 
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2005 | 06:10 PM
  #12  
RomerB2's Avatar
RomerB2
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 1
From: Bixby, OK
Just a question.. If you build an amp box with little clearance for cooling that way air is forced to move, would you have one fan bring air into the "box" and one fan bring air out? Seems logical to me.
 
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2005 | 06:16 PM
  #13  
bgblktruk's Avatar
bgblktruk
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 383
Likes: 6
From: California
I actually just read an article on push pull vs. pull or push. I had always thought about going push pull. I think it makes the most sense to me. I also have thought about installing baffles to decrease the noise of the fans. Any ideas on how that affects things.

Thanks

Mike
 
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2005 | 06:49 PM
  #14  
RomerB2's Avatar
RomerB2
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 1
From: Bixby, OK
I haven't messed with this before, I'm curious to find out myself. I think I'll research it later tonight and come up with some ideas and post it.
 
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2005 | 08:33 PM
  #15  
RangerPilot's Avatar
RangerPilot
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
Likes: 4
From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
I hear that two fans, one pushing air into the box and one pulling the hot air out is best, and preferebly on opposite sides of the box.

One of the installations I liked was a guy who had two subs on opposite sides of his truck, the two amps in the middle, power wires ran down the center of the amps into their respective slots, the output wires to the subs were located on the far ends of the subs like so:
sub-amp-power wires-amp-sub
I know the diagram sucks, but the truck looked pretty pimp.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:23 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE