Does mounting our gear face-up shorten it's life expectancy?

[fross]

I like the array of studio furniture out there, but I'm a bit concerned about dissipation of heat etc. What do gear manufacturers have to say about mounting our precious gear face-up?

[max cooper]

Lots of gear was designed to run that way:

Neve 1073's etc.

Neve 2254's

API preamps, comps, EQ's.

Anything mounted in a console is pretty much positioned that way.

Also vacuum tubes have traditionally been mounted upways, downways, sideways, etc.

[fross]

I'm referring to traditional rack mount gear, not necessarily modular components in a typical desk.

I bring this subject up becuase if you look at those units that tend to generate alot of heat, those units tend to have chassis that are extremely vented (perforated) on the top and sides. Those same manufacturers usually recommend that their rack mounted units have adequate space around them, so the heat can exit "up and out".

Units like the Myteks, STC-8, Tube-Tech, Manley and Buzz all tend to run pretty hot overtime, especially those that are class A or have tubes. Not trying to be difficult, just concerned.

Thanks for the feedback.

[drBill]

Life has a lot more important things to worry about if you're so inclined. They will be fine.

[Pasta4lnch]

I red something somewhere that tubes run better when they are upright . . . might be BS. ( I have tubes in every which way in my studio . . . )

[PlatinumSamples]

Heat rises.. so it's probably not recommended for gear which has fans on the back or air slots on the top/bottom.

Rail

[MadGuitrst]

I think it should be run outside in and downside up.
YMMV

[DeepSpace]

Originally Posted by PlatinumSamples

Heat rises.. so it's probably not recommended for gear which has fans on the back or air slots on the top/bottom.

Rail

Yes. When you find that the front panel is getting too hot to touch comfortably, you know you have a ventilation issue.

[RichT]

Originally Posted by DarkSky

Yes. When you find that the front panel is getting too hot to touch comfortably, you know you have a ventilation issue.

OR a handy in-studio cooker!

Eggs anyone?

[JohnRoberts]

Originally Posted by fross

I'm referring to traditional rack mount gear, not necessarily modular components in a typical desk.

I bring this subject up becuase if you look at those units that tend to generate alot of heat, those units tend to have chassis that are extremely vented (perforated) on the top and sides. Those same manufacturers usually recommend that their rack mounted units have adequate space around them, so the heat can exit "up and out".

Units like the Myteks, STC-8, Tube-Tech, Manley and Buzz all tend to run pretty hot overtime, especially those that are class A or have tubes. Not trying to be difficult, just concerned.

Thanks for the feedback.

There is a relationship between operating temperature and mean time between failure for electronics. Also the life expectancy of electrolytic capacitors can be degraded. However this is only important if your gear dies of old age. In most cases gear is replaced or suffers some other failure mode before that.

This may make more of a difference depending on the thermal management design of the individual unit. I would take manufacturer's advice seriously and provide good clean airflow around unit chassis.

Cool is cool and hot is not.

JR

[Mr. Man]

Originally Posted by DarkSky

Yes. When you find that the front panel is getting too hot to touch comfortably, you know you have a ventilation issue.

Unless it's a Neve VR. Those things are always so hot that you cook an egg on it. Never understood why…