Heat vs Performance

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djoutlaw

New DJ
Jun 17, 2008
225
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I have an outside event coming up. The outside temperature will be around 100 to 106 degrees. I haven't done an event outside when the temperature is this high. My concern is how well will my amp and other devices will perform in this high heat? I'm concerned that my amp will stop working due to overheating? It gets quite warm when I'm inside. Has any one had any experiences working in hot temperatures? How did your equipment handle the heat? What can I do to minimize the potential equipment failure, if any?
Your suggestion will be appreciated!
 
Definately carry a couple of fans to blow on the amps and you. I did a company picninc many years ago in July and did have one amp shut down. I had thought that it might and had another smaller amp in my cabinet and switched to it, only down few 20-30 seconds.
 
Thanks for the info.

That is what I'm affraid of--amp failing. Do you remember how long your amp lasted before it shut down (30 min, 1 hr, etc)? My event is 2hrs maybe 3hrs. I have thought about an extra amp just in case the first goes out.
 
djoutlaw said:
Thanks for the info.

That is what I'm affraid of--amp failing. Do you remember how long your amp lasted before it shut down (30 min, 1 hr, etc)? My event is 2hrs maybe 3hrs. I have thought about an extra amp just in case the first goes out.
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I was at least 3 hours in. Also be sure to keep the amp racks out of direct sunlight.
 
Mike's advice is good. Direct sunlight will raise the ambient temp by a considerable margin. Shade yourself and your gear or hang a drape over it to keep the sun off.

Outlaw, you didn't specify if your amps have internal cooling fans. If they do, you should have nothing to worry about. :)

We've pushed our amps to near clip outdoors in 90+ degree heat and 90+% humidity for hours. Darn HS grad pups and their loud, thumping field parties, lol. The humidity gets 'way up there in Delaware during the summers. We never had an amp quit. Our amps have 2-speed internal cooling fans.

The air blasting out of the front of that lows amp could heat your coffee or sammich... but the amps just keep on rolling. :)
 
1) Go pick up an easy-up awning.

2) Buy some gel packs for freezing. Put these behind your fans.

3) If you can, try to raise your amps off of any surface, so the fans can blow above AND below with cool air. If you can place them ON a gel pack, even better.
 
Fred Wright said:
Mike's advice is good. Direct sunlight will raise the ambient temp by a considerable margin. Shade yourself and your gear or hang a drape over it to keep the sun off.

Outlaw, you didn't specify if your amps have internal cooling fans. If they do, you should have nothing to worry about. :)

We've pushed our amps to near clip outdoors in 90+ degree heat and 90+% humidity for hours. Darn HS grad pups and their loud, thumping field parties, lol. The humidity gets 'way up there in Delaware during the summers. We never had an amp quit. Our amps have 2-speed internal cooling fans.

The air blasting out of the front of that lows amp could heat your coffee or sammich... but the amps just keep on rolling. :)
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Yes, the amp does have one fan--the fan speed even adjusts automatically!

I'm bringing a fan just in case along with a spare amp.
 
JoeChartreuse said:
1) Go pick up an easy-up awning.

2) Buy some gel packs for freezing. Put these behind your fans.

3) If you can, try to raise your amps off of any surface, so the fans can blow above AND below with cool air. If you can place them ON a gel pack, even better.
Click to expand...
I like your gel pack idea. I was even thinking about placing the amp in a frig then taking it out as I load up.
 
djoutlaw said:
I like your gel pack idea. I was even thinking about placing the amp in a frig then taking it out as I load up.
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Nah, don't do that. :eek:

Heat sinks are of aluminum and chilling them before a show won't help. What it will do is likely cause condensation in your amp. That's definately not good.

Your amps have cooling fans. That should be sufficient. Remember, placing a fan on the case of an amp won't make much difference. You'll just be moving ambient temp air around it. But if it makes you feel better, it won't hurt anything. :)
 
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