Mod your stereo amp with PC fans

Alright so I wanted to do this Instructable because I use my Technics SU-600 for a lot of heavy-duty stereo usage and I was planning to Mod it with fans to cool it down, but I didn't intend on making it this awesome. So when I got all my parts I remembered that I had an instructables account but not a pro one, so I also upped my account to Pro then did this the next day (today - January 28th 2010 haha).

In this instructable I will show you how I modded my Stereo Amplifier's case with two 4-inch PC fans which I bought from my favorite pc parts store.

I'll try to explain in the best way I can so it will apply to any Stereo amplifier you have.

Please Note: This instructable is aimed at people with some knowledge of Soldering as well as Electronic components.

You will need the following parts and tools:

• 2 PC fans (or 3 or 4 or 5 whatever your needs are) - I chose two 12V ones.
• 16 self-tapping fan screws (only 4 usually come with the each fan so double up if you can)
• 1 12Volt AC adapter (the one I chose is rated 12V @ 500mA - however I should have gone for the 1000mA)
• Keep the packaging the 12V adapter came in for the plastic!
• Flathead screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver
• whatever screwdriver you may need to dissemble your amplifier
• Needle-nose pliers
• Big and Small Tin snips or Side cutters (I chose Side Cutters)
• Wire Strippers
• Heat Shrink
• 50-year-old Henkel Scissors (well I don't imagine many people have these so you can use any large scissors or opt-out of needing them since tin snips should work the same way I used these)
• Any sort of Soldering gun or soldering iron (w/ solder of course)
• A Dremel tool or alternative rotary tool
• Rotary tool Sanding bit and cutting bit
• Hammer (to fix dents you're inevitably going to make in your amplifier case)
• Electrical Tape
• BiC lighter or whatever lighter you want
• Patients

Step 1: Getting started

You can do this whole thing in any order you like. I started with cutting a rectangle piece (then cutting that in half to make 2 pieces) out of the packaging my 12V adapter came in so I could attach the fans to each other using the self-tapping screws they come with.

Please Note: I positioned 1 fan in a manner it will blow air from outside of the case inward and 1 fan so it would take the warm (HOT) air from the inside of the case outward, and it's generally a good idea that you do the same.

PS: I positioned these the way I will have them when they are actually on top of the Amplifier, and the wires to the back.

Ahead of time I cut the ends off of the fans power wires to the desired length I needed to do my project