Homemade RM Italy amp cooling system

How I constructed a cheap cooling system for my RM Italy KL 203-P amp using an old power brick and computer case fan.

[@UDX4570PalmSprings-yh1mv]

Iam thinking of doing something similar on my 2970N3, it will drift frequency when holding a long QSO. I was thinking of using a "K" type thermocouple in conjunction with a 555 timer so the fan will turn on at a set temperature. The tiny muffin fan the manufacturer installed in my transiever is pretty much useless especially when the transiever is drawing 40+ amps. Great video and a great idea. Iam sure your familiar with those plastic drywall inserts you put in a hole to hold screws securely? You can press them in between the aluminum cooling fins and secure your fan. They also insulate the fan frame from the aluminum and Will keep it from vibrating.👍 UDX-4570 Palm Springs saying 73's. 😏👍⚡️🎙

[@RidgeHikerAdventures]

That's a lot of heat generated in your transceiver. I think the most stock CB radios draw no more than 4 to 5 amps. Sounds like a great plan to cool down your radio. I'll have to give the drywall inserts a try. I'm thinking of leaving a gap between the fan and amp to increase airflow to the rest of fins. 73s and thanks for the comments!

[@ginky4]

What direction is the fan blowing? Is it blowing down onto the amp or is it blowing up and away from the amp like an exhaust fan. Would also be cool to see the amp temperatures with the fan off and with the fan on. That way we can see how much cooling impact the fan has.

[@RidgeHikerAdventures]

Airflow is blowing into the amp. I'm not sure which direction is better, but it appears to work well in that direction. I'm planning to make up a follow up video with a couple of changes I made. I'll include temperature readings with the amp on and off. Thanks for watching!

[@ginky4]

Most cooling experts believe that better cooling is achieved by having the fan draw the hot air up off of the heat sink rather than blowing air down on to it. The same way a CPU fan does on a computer. It's called Push / Pull. Right now you are pushing the air onto the heatsink instead of pulling it off the heatsink. Would be an interesting test to see which way offers the better cooling.