How Hot is too Hot?

[jjklongisland]

I have been noticing especially with my new Blu Ray that my area where my components are can get very hot. I was thinking of removing them all and cutting out the back of my wall unit. Currently there are just access holes for the wiring. The air flow isnt that good in the cabinet. Any suggestions or do the fans within the units do enought of a job. Its a Yamaha reciever, HD DVR Cable box and my Blu Ray unit.

Here is a pic.

[Pelican170]

That cabinet looks tiight. id invest in some fans for it...

[DavePS3]

Top 3 killers of all electronics:
1) Heat
2) Dust
3) Cigarrette smoke

...and of course peanut butter sandwiches shoved into them.

[JimShaw]

Originally Posted by DavePS3

...and of course peanut butter sandwiches shoved into them.

Interesting! I wonder how you came to discover this?

[DavePS3]

I'd rather not say. However in my defense, I thought the unit would be hungry after being on for 8 hours.

[BluLobsta]

Yup, if you've ever seen the cooling and temp monitoring systems for computer rooms, you'll know why high temps are a killer for electronics. I would say that a regular HT stand with open front and back would greatly increase the lifespan of your equipment (and your wallet). I'm sweating just looking at the poor things

[neos_peace]

Originally Posted by DavePS3

I'd rather not say. However in my defense, I thought the unit would be hungry after being on for 8 hours.

priceless

[Uniquely]

On the plus side.... the cabinet will protect your gear from dust.... but it wouldn't hurt to add some airflow. That's pretty nice furniture and I don't know that you need to go as far as cutting the back out. You could cut out a section and install a vent.... then cut a couple of circles and install some cooling fans.

[HAMP]

You could always get some Cabinet fans to keep them cool.

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556082910.html

That's just an example of one

[naturephoto1]

Another possibility and I am sure one that you would not like is to remove the doors. You should definitely do something though, because as others have indicated, heat will shorten the life of your electronic equipment.

Rich

[Uberbot]

My Onkyo gets to marshmallow roasting levels and that was even when I had it out in the open. When I put it in a tight TV stand, I picked up the BXT Receiver cooler. It is very popular with Onkyo owners and redistributes heat out of the sides so you can position it to blast heat out the back.

http://www.buyextras.com/evavcoblfanf.html

[kdn1221]

I have home theater components in a cabinet set up at home also. I just leave the doors open whenever the units are on to allow air to flow through. When I'm done, I close the doors after shutting down the system.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by kdn1221

I have home theater components in a cabinet set up at home also. I just leave the doors open whenever the units are on to allow air to flow through. When I'm done, I close the doors after shutting down the system.

+1

[Durentis]

Originally Posted by HAMP

You could always get some Cabinet fans to keep them cool.

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556082910.html

Definitely get cabinet fans, just make sure you don't go with 80mm fans as that link shows. You want <30dB 140mm fans (or bigger if you can find them). Might be able to get away with the 10dB 140mm fans, but they don't move nearly as much air. Smaller fans have a higher pitch and tend to be (or at least seem) louder and more annoying. You should also make sure you have a proper airflow inside the cabinet - adding intake fans with a dust filter (or bounce sheet) would be a good idea. Same principles as cooling a computer tower.

[jjklongisland]

Thanks for the info guys. Leaving the doors open may pose even a bigger problem with my 16 month old son who is in the "Button Pressing Stage".

I think a fan will be the best bet but they look like they are meant for on top of the unit (player) itself. I would cut a hole and mount it blowing the air out of the cabinet. Would this work?