• Registered: 2021-02-10
  • Posts: 10

Topic: Installing a Fan in My Fireface 800

Hi friends, me again. I've got three Fireface 800s which I'm really happy with, but in my current studio setup I have one stacked above the other in a fairly compact 3U desktop rack. They are getting really hot. I'd prefer not to leave spaces above and below them for passive ventilation and cooling, and am considering installing some near-silent computer fans within the chassis (powered probably by USB outside the FF800 chassis).

Has anyone done this and have any results to share?

Background information:
I think I read somewhere that a power supply component is the thing getting hot, and on one of the firefaces I've had it since around 2006 and I did have to replace the power supply a couple years ago (not bad, 12 years out of something running that hot).
But I do worry about other components longevity and lower ease of replacement, and now that I have three cranking out that much heat I'm mildly concerned about it.

  • waedi
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  • From: Swiss Zürich
  • Registered: 2020-12-08
  • Posts: 4,179

Re: Installing a Fan in My Fireface 800

For heat transport, volume is needed.
You must give the units space between them.
If you put a fan inside the device and have no space between the units, you are just blowing hot air around and the heat does not go away.
It will heat up even more from the fan motor.
You want to get the heat away with air, then you need coming cool air and takeaway hot air.

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

3 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2021-04-07 17:11:33)

  • ramses
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Re: Installing a Fan in My Fireface 800

I can say from my own experience that it is best to leave some space between the devices in the rack.
For example, a combination of UFX+, XTC and 12Mic (3x 1RU) fits well in such a Thomann rack with 23cm depth.

https://www.thomann.de/de/thon_rack_4he … ompact.htm

For this setup I do not need any fan. I think a FF800 won't be much different.

Looks like this:

https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/index.php/Attachment/2662-15-RME-Rack-JPG/

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13

4 Reply by canopychasesounds (edited by canopychasesounds 2021-04-07 17:41:49)

  • Registered: 2021-02-10
  • Posts: 10

Re: Installing a Fan in My Fireface 800

ramses wrote:

I can say from my own experience that it is best to leave some space between the devices in the rack.
For example, a combination of UFX+, XTC and 12Mic (3x 1RU) fits well in such a Thomann rack with 23cm depth.
....

Yeah I'm following...was hoping to not have to do that since my desk only has 3U spaces across the front and I'd like to maximize them. I think what I might try is just removing the PSU's from the three 800s (the third is on a rear rack behind the front two more or less floating in air), mount them in an external well-ventilated aluminum rack box in the back, and make some molex extension cables to run the power back into each of the Firefaces.
https://jasonaricfreeland.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/img_4896-scaled.jpg
https://jasonaricfreeland.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/img_4901-scaled.jpg

  • waedi
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  • From: Swiss Zürich
  • Registered: 2020-12-08
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Re: Installing a Fan in My Fireface 800

Oh nice ! You are a well talented home build maker.
But you also built heat storage compartments. I hope you have them pulled out during useage ike shown on the photo.
The idea to take out heating parts into a seperate cage with cooling is a good idea to me.
At the same time I would never support the idea to take out parts of an RME-interface.

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,693

Re: Installing a Fan in My Fireface 800

I don't think there is enough space within - much less for a large, quiet fan. The small ones tend to be noisy. Also, you'd need air outlets. Maybe if you used some USB fan or so behind the units? As for "really hot", unless it actually hurts to touch, there's little to worry about.

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website