Hi,

I fond out the hard way that my custom built AV rack probably needs some active cooling. However, I don't have much space and installing an exhaust on top is not very simple. The next best choice would be a quite 1 space front element that I could install at the top of the rack. Currently, I have a VTB1:
http://www.middleatlantic.com/rackac/panels/vpanels.htm in place.

I found some 1 space fronts with fans. Nut all seem to be rather loud.
Does anyone know about a good 1 space product?
Alternatively, could I place a fan behind it? E.g. like a COMP-COOL:
http://www.middleatlantic.com/rackac/cooling/qcool.htm#compcool
?

I used to have some music gear in racks. Raxxess had some different fan options you might check out - they were marketed for their "quietness."

Looks like a solid product. Unfortunately, I have some space constraints. I would love the find a solution that takes only 1 space in the rack.

No 1U fan is going to be quiet, IME.

Computer equipment and pro-audio generally vents front to back, so you probably don't want vented panels anyhow (unless you're putting one at the top and using that like an "exhaust" back into the room).

You might need to provide a dimensioned drawing and your space constraints so the creative group here can better advise.

I bet you could make up your own using slot cooling devices for computers. You would have to make a custom faceplate, but I'm sure you could fit 3 or 4 of them across it to provide fairly quiet intake or exhaust depending on how you wire it up.

Use a few similar to this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200018

I use the COMP-COOL on top of my Onkyo 705 receiver, and it helps cool it down quite a bit.

I will post a picture soon.

In response to the last two posts. I was thinking about putting a device like you suggested behind the front panel (which is not solid that I have. Could that work? Is it safe?

Looks like a solid product. Unfortunately, I have some space constraints. I would love the find a solution that takes only 1 space in the rack.

Late to the party, but I use a Cool Stack I at the top of my rack, just above the Onkyo tx-sr805...very quiet and only turns on when needed:

http://www.activethermal.com/Cool-Stack.htm

Here's a pic of the unfinished rack. I cranked the gamma up on so you can see the fans.