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[John Schalk]

I'm putting together two new amp racks and I'd like your advice on which type of blank panel I should install in the unused rack space.  I've read that Powersoft amps are designed to be racked directly on top of each other, so that kind of argues for a solid panel.  But it's an amp rack, so the more airflow the better, right?  FWIW the back of the rack will be totally open, and since there are only ever going to be two amps in each 3 space rack, it may not make that much difference, but I'd thought I'd seek the wisdom of the tribe.  So, how do you vote; solid or vented?

[Ike Zimbel]

I'm putting together two new amp racks and I'd like your advice on which type of blank panel I should install in the unused rack space.  I've read that Powersoft amps are designed to be racked directly on top of each other, so that kind of argues for a solid panel.  But it's an amp rack, so the more airflow the better, right?  FWIW the back of the rack will be totally open, and since there are only ever going to be two amps in each 3 space rack, it may not make that much difference, but I'd thought I'd seek the wisdom of the tribe.  So, how do you vote; solid or vented?

If the amps draw from one end and vent from the other, I would go with a solid panel, so that they don't re-circulate vented air. If they vent through the sides whilst drawing from one end or the other, a vented panel might allow more hot air to escape from the rack.

[Caleb Dueck]

I'm putting together two new amp racks and I'd like your advice on which type of blank panel I should install in the unused rack space.  I've read that Powersoft amps are designed to be racked directly on top of each other, so that kind of argues for a solid panel.  But it's an amp rack, so the more airflow the better, right?  FWIW the back of the rack will be totally open, and since there are only ever going to be two amps in each 3 space rack, it may not make that much difference, but I'd thought I'd seek the wisdom of the tribe.  So, how do you vote; solid or vented?

Where possible, think of the rack as a chimney.  Even though counter-intuitive, solid panels are almost always the best.  This is why install racks are often solid, with openings at the bottom, and fans on the very top; this also doesn't use up any RU spaces.  For racks that are used outdoors (IE, most production racks) you may want to use rear rack rails, put a vent panel on the bottom rear, and vent or fan panel top rear. 

[Steve-White]

Most amps are front to back cooling.  As Caleb noted, fans fans fans.  All my amp racks have fans, because there are controllers that live in there with them and racks when improperly ventilated can collect heat - especially outside in direct sun.

[Keith Broughton]

For an open back rack, with those amps, solid panel.

[John Schalk]

For an open back rack, with those amps, solid panel.

Solid panels are the only vote getter so far, which makes the decision pretty easy for me!  I think I have one laying around already, so I'll get one more on order and then I can finish up this project and move on to the next thing on my list which is getting in some practice using Room Eq Wizard to tune my monitors.

[Dave Garoutte]

I think I would put the panel between the amps.  It will give more room for air to circulate.

[Robert Healey]

I'm putting together two new amp racks and I'd like your advice on which type of blank panel I should install in the unused rack space.  I've read that Powersoft amps are designed to be racked directly on top of each other, so that kind of argues for a solid panel.  But it's an amp rack, so the more airflow the better, right?  FWIW the back of the rack will be totally open, and since there are only ever going to be two amps in each 3 space rack, it may not make that much difference, but I'd thought I'd seek the wisdom of the tribe.  So, how do you vote; solid or vented?

This white paper from Middle Atlantic is targeted at installs but has excellent information about thermal management in racks:

https://www.legrandav.com/resources/white_papers_guides_and_ebooks/thermal-management-white-paper

[Steve Crump]

I'm putting together two new amp racks and I'd like your advice on which type of blank panel I should install in the unused rack space.  I've read that Powersoft amps are designed to be racked directly on top of each other, so that kind of argues for a solid panel.  But it's an amp rack, so the more airflow the better, right?  FWIW the back of the rack will be totally open, and since there are only ever going to be two amps in each 3 space rack, it may not make that much difference, but I'd thought I'd seek the wisdom of the tribe.  So, how do you vote; solid or vented?

Powersoft has always been extremely helpful. I would just asked them the same question, they designed those amps. I would be interested in their thoughts also.

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[Chris Hindle]

Powersoft has always been extremely helpful. I would just asked them the same question, they designed those amps. I would be interested in their thoughts also.

[email protected]

That's the sort of information that SHOULD be in the RTFM.....
Chris.

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