http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/ Engadget Comments for Ask Engadget HD: How do I keep a closet full of home theater equipment from overheating? http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/
{Duct Cool is a complete remote cooling solution that allows you to manage the heat in closets, racks or enclosed projectors quietly and effectively. The Duct Cool System has been designed to remove heated air from equipment and vent it to an attic or conditioned space. The Duct Cool features a powerful, but quiet, inline mixed flow fan that is capable of removing heated air from up to 25 feet away, so the homeowner does not hear it operate. This unique cooling system turns on and off automatically and runs only when it's needed, making it an energy efficient thermal management solution. An optional thermostat is available for greater control. This product includes all needed mounting accessories, including 25' of insulated duct, and a decorative grille and air intake.}

They have 2 models, one with a single blower unit (DUCT-COOL-1PT)that provides 135 CFM and a dual blower part (DUCT-COOL-2PT) that provides 293 CFM.

The DUCT-COOL-1PT has a MSRP of $570, and the DUCT-COOL-2PT has a MSRP of $700.

I have sold MANY of these to custom installers in the Seattle area and they work fantastic. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
]]>May 13th 2010 4:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/
The power brick is plugged into the receiver's switched power outlet, so the fan would come on automatically whenever the receiver is on.

120mm PC case fans move 50~75CFM of air, and cost $10~$15 from any OEM computer store. Fans range from 15dB to 30dB, with quieter fans usually costing a few dollars more. You could rig up 2~3 fans to a power brick for under $50, that should match the airflow of a $500 "pro" system.]]>May 13th 2010 6:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/May 13th 2010 10:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/
You can get performance that's just as good, and probably better, for a lot less from coolerguys.com.

They have some great rackmount and cabinet cooling solutions for a fraction of what Middle Atlantic charges.

http://www.coolerguys.com/rackcool.html
http://www.coolerguys.com/cabinetcooling.html]]>May 14th 2010 4:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/May 14th 2010 11:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/
http://www.coolerguys.com/sff21.html]]>May 14th 2010 4:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/Excellent suggestion, especially on the 120mm sized fans. I would add a thermal switch to the setup, that way the fan only runs when the temp is high, not 24/7.]]>May 14th 2010 10:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/May 14th 2010 6:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/May 14th 2010 9:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/
To solve the problem, I installed a silent bathroom exhaust fan in the closet, attached a 4" flexible duct onto the exit of the fan, and vented the exiting air out through a standard register cover into the mechanical room. This completely eliminated my heat problem; air flows from the home theater room, into the equipment rack closet, and out the exhaust fan. I leave it running all the time because my TiVo is always on, and my HTPC and XBOX 360 sometimes stay on for extended periods. It's completely silent and cost about $130 total from Home Depot/Lowes.

Pictures of my home theater are available here, but I unfortunately don't have any pictures of the exhaust fan in the closet.]]>May 14th 2010 9:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/May 14th 2010 10:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/May 15th 2010 4:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/
I would say that moving all my components to a different room from where we watch and listen was one of the two or three biggest improvements to the home cinema experience. Now, the room is pitch black and dead silent -- except for the content on the screen, and the sound from the movie. Immersive.]]>May 16th 2010 12:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/May 15th 2010 7:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/ask-engadget-hd-how-do-i-keep-a-closet-full-of-home-theater-equ/
Hopefully, if you ARE doing it yourself, you are doing the work because you love it, and are passionate about your hobby.

If you are doing it yourself to save money...you will probably end up with either a system that doesnt work right, or end up spending MORE MONEY just to fix what you installed and to get it working properly. Hiring a professional is definitely the way to go for most people, especially when you get into the "construction" aspect of custom home theater.

You should also remember what YOUR time costs you...This is the item most DIY guys miss. I dont know about everyone else, buy my time is my most precious commodity, and while I will do most of my own home theater work, being in the industry, I will not do my own plumbing, high voltage electrical, or drywall. I know the limits of my abilities, and know when its best to bring in a pro.]]>May 17th 2010 2:10PM