Fan Cooling System for a Guitar Tube Amplifier

This Instructable will show you how to make a
fan cooling system for your guitar/bass tube amplifier.
*This instructable requires electrical/electronics/woodworking tools and knowledge.*

***DO NOT MAKE THIS INSTRUCTABLE UNLESS YOU COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND
     ELECTRICAL POWER AND TUBE AMPLIFICATION***

If you can't or don't want to make one for your self,
I soon will have them available at...
www.ampRiser.com

Step 1: Fan Cooling System (pics of On/off Temperatures)

This is a Fan Cooling System for a guitar/bass tube amplifier.
The Idea behind this instructable is that  tube amplifiers get very HOT!
I understand that Hot tubes=Great tone!!
Although heat can kill an amplifier.
If your power transformer gets to hot, it will cost about $100 to replace,
heat will kill your capacitors in the amplifier killing your tone, and be costly to repair,
If the temp gets to hot inside the cabinet you speaker could blow, it will cost $50 or more!
So this system can keep your amp cool and save you money!!!

I have ran many tests with this system on many different amplifiers,
on average a power transformer gets to 120deg. or more,
with My fan cooling system the temp drops to about 70deg.

Step 2: Tools and Materials Required

Tools
tape measure, pencil
drill, small drill bit, 2" hole saw
table saw or circular saw?
clamps, wood file, sand paper
razor knife, and paint brush
Material
24" x 24" x 1/4" thick plywood
computer fan, electronic on/off switch, 9v battery, clip, and connector
2- 8-32 screws with washers and lock nuts,
electrical tape, U/L list metal duct tape, black paint

Step 3: Measure the Back Panle

To make the back panel for this fan cooling system,
you need to measure the inside of your amplifier cabinet
edge to edge, and about 1/2" down past the tubes

or you could use the existing panel cover
that came with your amplifier this also makes
a great template for the tube vent hole that has to be cut out.

Step 4: Measure and Drill the Mounting Holes

Measure and drill for the back panel mounting holes,
if you have the original back panel use it as a template.

I line up the panel top to bottom and side to side
make my marks, and drill*

*I drill them out a little bit bigger so that the New back panel install easily.

Step 5: Measure for the Fan to Be Installed

Typically in the Left corner of the amplifier chassis is the location of the power
transformer, the center of this location is where you want to place the fan for the cooling system.
after you have this measurement transfer it to the panel board that you cut in step 2
Make sure the fan is in the correct location and trace it with a pencil,
now use a small drill bit to mark the location of the mounting screw holes on the computer fan
remove the computer fan and drill the mounting holes and drill the fan hole with a  2" hole saw*
*(may be larger or smaller depending upon fan size?)

Step 6: Measure and Cut for the Tube Vent Hole

Measure the center point of the tubes coming down and 1/2" to the left and right
transfer this to the back panel, use a 1" hole saw to cut the ends out and then
use a strait edge to make a line connecting the outside edges of the circles.

if you have the original back panel you can trace the vent hole to your back panel
and cut out with a scroll saw

Step 7: Heat Shielding

Install U/L listed Heat Shielding metal tape to the inside of the back panel
I cut strips longer than the panel and overlay them and double them up on each strip.
Then flip the panel over and cut out with a razor knife the fan hole, use a drill bit for the
back panel mounting screw holes.

*I WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR DAMAGES TO YOUR AMPLIFIER IF YOU MAKE THIS INSTRUCTABLE OR IF YOU LEAVE OUT ANY STEPS IN THIS INSTRUCATABLE*

Step 8: Painting the Back Panel

Now you are ready to Paint the Back Panel for your amplifier cooling system.
If your amplifier is covered in black tolex you can simply paint the panel black,
or you can cover it with a piece of black tolex material.

If your amplifier is covered in tweed you can simply paint the panel brown,
or cover it with a piece of tweed material.

I have  Tolex and Tweed available threw my website...

Step 9: Installing the Electronics

Now that the back panel is complete, it is time to install all of the electronics
that make this fan cooling system work.
first install the computer fan with the 8/32 screws, washers, and lock nuts.
then drill a hole an 1 1/2" down past the chassis, for the fan wires so the fan wires
can enter the back side of the panel.
also drill a 3/16" hole for the on/off switch. ( this could be done before the Painting Step?)
and drill a hole for the battery clip located a the bottom corner of the panel.