Introduction: 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:
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
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
Step 2: Mod Your Case Part 1
So first things first. Lets align the fans on the top of the case so you know where you'll be cutting and whatnot.
Next start the cutting (the pictures explain mostly everything in detail)
Once you finished all of the cutting use your dremel or even a metal file if you like to smooth the edges out.
It takes time and a bit of patients to get through this step, it's the longest....I took a break to go get a six pack of Heineken...
Follow the pics for all the details.
Please Note: Once you finish the first section ( I left the center in for fan-support) make sure to go gentle of the second section as it becomes easy to warp the frame of the case... make sure to flatten everything our with a ball-peen hammer or regular hammer once you've finished the hole-cutting.
Next start the cutting (the pictures explain mostly everything in detail)
Once you finished all of the cutting use your dremel or even a metal file if you like to smooth the edges out.
It takes time and a bit of patients to get through this step, it's the longest....I took a break to go get a six pack of Heineken...
Follow the pics for all the details.
Please Note: Once you finish the first section ( I left the center in for fan-support) make sure to go gentle of the second section as it becomes easy to warp the frame of the case... make sure to flatten everything our with a ball-peen hammer or regular hammer once you've finished the hole-cutting.
Step 3: Mod Your Case Part 2
This is the simplest step.
Follow the Pictures for all the instructions.
Follow the Pictures for all the instructions.
Step 4: Attach the Fans to the Case
We are almost done at this point. Now we install the fans to the case.
Again Please follow the pictures for the instructions....its easiest that way! :)
Please Note: Wherever you place your fans on the case if there isn't enough room to put the screws in to hold the fans to the case just use your side-cutters or dremel etc to make room for the screws.
...oh and I ended up using some of the plastic packaging to hold one of the screws in because I cut the hole too big.
Again Please follow the pictures for the instructions....its easiest that way! :)
Please Note: Wherever you place your fans on the case if there isn't enough room to put the screws in to hold the fans to the case just use your side-cutters or dremel etc to make room for the screws.
...oh and I ended up using some of the plastic packaging to hold one of the screws in because I cut the hole too big.
Step 5: Soldering the Wires Together.
Well I'm not going to show you how to solder, so this part you can figure out for yourself, it's pretty straight-forward....
Twist the Positives of both fans together, as well as the negatives (separately of course), and then join the positives with the positive of the AC adapter, and the negative with the negative end of the adapter....
PLEASE NOTE: Make sure to slide the Heat Shrink onto on end of your wire joint before joining them and soldering them.
Now Solder and use a Lighter to melt/shrink the heat shrink...Plug in.
Twist the Positives of both fans together, as well as the negatives (separately of course), and then join the positives with the positive of the AC adapter, and the negative with the negative end of the adapter....
PLEASE NOTE: Make sure to slide the Heat Shrink onto on end of your wire joint before joining them and soldering them.
Now Solder and use a Lighter to melt/shrink the heat shrink...Plug in.
Step 6: Fin
Okay so you should be finished. If your amplifier doesn't have a built-in power jack like mine does then you can add a step into this instructable to include a longer cord, or just don't cut the adapter cord as short as I did.
You should now have one kick-ass-cooled amplifier!
You should now have one kick-ass-cooled amplifier!