|
|
Post by Mountainbiking Fool on Jun 8, 2015 13:05:34 GMT -5
I am setting up an Omnimount RE42 in a closet and the rack itself has built in exhaust fans in the top. The top of the rack is about 10 inches from the ceiling. My plan was to place a vent right above the rack and run duct work from that vent over to the side of the house to exhaust it out. Is this a good idea or am I thinking to much into this.  |
|
|
|
Post by novisnick on Jun 8, 2015 13:10:15 GMT -5
I think you need an input vent to create a passive flow of air. Maybe a vent in the door or just cut an inch off the bottom, not too much because most interior doors are hollow.
Edit; over think? I think not,,,,,,,,,,,,,I love the idea cause HEAT is Not your friend!
|
|
|
|
Post by ngmitter on Jun 8, 2015 13:22:01 GMT -5
There could be problems associated with this approach. First of all, the small fans at the top of the rack are likely not able to handle the static pressure of the ductwork. Essentially, they aren't powerful enough to overcome to the force required to push air through a duct system. If they were underpowered, you risk burning out these fans in a much shorter period than they were designed for.
Also, with airflow it is a must to have a dedicated path for the air to come in, flow over the components, then exit the space. You will need some form of an intake louver in the door/wall OR a sufficiently large enough gap below the door. A 1" gap will get you at most about 50 CFM, but that's assuming a strong exhaust fan.
The best approach would be to install a dedicated exhaust fan in the ceiling (find a very quiet one) perhaps for a 100 CFM and put a louver in the door. This should adequately cool the components, yet be quiet enough to not cause a nuisance.
|
|
KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,276
|
Post by KeithL on Jun 8, 2015 13:39:13 GMT -5
At the very least you would have to put a duct from the top of the rack to the actual vent (you can't simply blow air AT the end of a duct - you have to push it through - against slight pressure). Simply putting a duct opening above the rack doesn't cause the air to go through the duct - it will more likely simply accumulate at the top of the closet. As someone already suggested, I would install a duct in the ceiling - with its own quiet fan built in. At that point, if your rack is relatively open, you're probably done; if not, then a small fan exhausting the rack into the room may also be necessary (and, at the very least, it will keep the equipment in the rack at its coolest). You can buy fancy vent covers to cover a cutout in the door. If you want to keep dust and dirt out, and block even more noise, you can put a vent cover with its own air filter in a cutout in the door. I am setting up an Omnimount RE42 in a closet and the rack itself has built in exhaust fans in the top. The top of the rack is about 10 inches from the ceiling. My plan was to place a vent right above the rack and run duct work from that vent over to the side of the house to exhaust it out. Is this a good idea or am I thinking to much into this. |
|
|
|
Post by Mountainbiking Fool on Jun 8, 2015 13:39:52 GMT -5
There could be problems associated with this approach. First of all, the small fans at the top of the rack are likely not able to handle the static pressure of the ductwork. Essentially, they aren't powerful enough to overcome to the force required to push air through a duct system. If they were underpowered, you risk burning out these fans in a much shorter period than they were designed for. Also, with airflow it is a must to have a dedicated path for the air to come in, flow over the components, then exit the space. You will need some form of an intake louver in the door/wall OR a sufficiently large enough gap below the door. A 1" gap will get you at most about 50 CFM, but that's assuming a strong exhaust fan. The best approach would be to install a dedicated exhaust fan in the ceiling (find a very quiet one) perhaps for a 100 CFM and put a louver in the door. This should adequately cool the components, yet be quiet enough to not cause a nuisance. Below is a pic of the rack. As you can see the front door will not be covered and I have removed 2 of the bottom plates to allow air to flow up from the bottom. I will be installing an inline 4" duct electric duct fan as well. The only work the rack fans have to do is pull out the heat and send through the 90 degree elbow, the in line duct fan should be able to handle the rest. The outside wall the duct exhaust is going to is about 6 feet.  |
|
|
|
Post by scubadiver on Jun 8, 2015 14:32:27 GMT -5
Unless your equipment changes drastically, I'd say you don't need a vent at all.
I have a similar setup (I use a 42u Middle Atlantic Slim-5 with no back or side panels) and my XPA-5's barely get warm to the touch...
Unlike the picture below (which is older), my XPA-5's are spaced 1u apart. Additionally, every space on the front of the rack is occupied with either equipment or a blanking panel.
Attachment Deleted
|
|
|
|
Post by ngmitter on Jun 8, 2015 14:50:56 GMT -5
That 4" duct fan will definitely get the job done. Having an entirely open face will also help drastically, as well. As scubadiver says, there is a chance this equipment will barely get warm, but if it's accessible, I'd put the duct fan in anyway. They don't cost much and I'm assuming you have an electrical connection nearby.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mountainbiking Fool on Jun 8, 2015 17:01:54 GMT -5
Thanks guys for your input, greatly appreciate it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mountainbiking Fool on Jun 8, 2015 17:02:45 GMT -5
Unless your equipment changes drastically, I'd say you don't need a vent at all.
I have a similar setup (I use a 42u Middle Atlantic Slim-5 with no back or side panels) and my XPA-5's barely get warm to the touch...
Unlike the picture below (which is older), my XPA-5's are spaced 1u apart. Additionally, every space on the front of the rack is occupied with either equipment or a blanking panel.
View Attachment
Great! I like the rack, very nice and neat. |
|
|
|
Post by scubadiver on Jun 8, 2015 17:16:21 GMT -5
Unless your equipment changes drastically, I'd say you don't need a vent at all.
I have a similar setup (I use a 42u Middle Atlantic Slim-5 with no back or side panels) and my XPA-5's barely get warm to the touch...
Unlike the picture below (which is older), my XPA-5's are spaced 1u apart. Additionally, every space on the front of the rack is occupied with either equipment or a blanking panel.
View Attachment
Great! I like the rack, very nice and neat. Thanks.... BTW - I'm guessing you are putting your rack in a closet? If so, what are the dimensions of the closet? Mine is approx 10w x 4d x 9h and I have 2' of clearance behind my rack as well as 4-5' on the left and right. It's also in my basement - which is colder to begin with. Additionally, I did not finish the ceiling of the closet - which greatly increases air volume. But either way, my current amps would never run hot enough to have an impact on the air temp in my closet. Not even close. |
|
|
|
Post by Mountainbiking Fool on Jun 8, 2015 18:15:56 GMT -5
Great! I like the rack, very nice and neat. Thanks.... BTW - I'm guessing you are putting your rack in a closet? If so, what are the dimensions of the closet? Mine is approx 10w x 4d x 9h and I have 2' of clearance behind my rack as well as 4-5' on the left and right. It's also in my basement - which is colder to begin with. Additionally, I did not finish the ceiling of the closet - which greatly increases air volume. But either way, my current amps would never run hot enough to have an impact on the air temp in my closet. Not even close. The area where I am installing the rack use to be a built in desk area. It measures 3' X 4' X 8'. The rack fits nicely in the space and I will probably leave the back off. |
|
|
|
Post by teaman on Jun 8, 2015 19:47:43 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Gary Cook on Jun 9, 2015 1:10:04 GMT -5
Hot air rises, I remember that from high school science  Convection is your friend  Cheers Gary |
|
