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Show me your RACK - Page 54

post #1591 of 1757
1/31/13 at 8:03pm
Actually I would get a rack with sides and a rear door so that you can ventilate it correctly. Sealed all the way are ound with fans at the top.
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post #1592 of 1757
1/31/13 at 9:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pain Infliction View Post

Actually I would get a rack with sides and a rear door so that you can ventilate it correctly. Sealed all the way are ound with fans at the top.

Thats what i have done with my ERK-4425
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post #1593 of 1757
1/31/13 at 10:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by andyboy View Post

Here's my progress for my rack system. Had a long closet at the back of my media room. It had two doors on each side. I framed one door to place the rack. Still in progress. And oh...I'm not pro at all! Learned a lot by doing research on here and other sites. This site has been the most helpful.










avrignaud, seems like you want to do what andyboy has done. Very seldom are doors used with custom rackmounts. Very heavy components with rack ears, need shelf or rear rack rail support( most manuals suggest this ). I don't know much about Sanus racks, they seem to make nice products. I really like their SANUS EcoSystem™, but the rest of their rack product line is too limited. I'd stick with Middle Atlantic, Lowell or Raxxess/Chief Mfg. The Middle Atlantic custom rackmounts will work with any 19" rack.

Custom Rackmount info: http://www.middleatlantic.com/rsh/rshcus2.htm
Database: http://www2.middleatlantic.com/rsh/RSHdataDepth.txt
Order: http://www.customavrack.com/category/20-middle-atlantic-custom-rack-shelves.aspx

Back when I put my rack together, I ordered everything from Performance Audio, but their prices have gone up.
Now I order from CustomAVrack.com , much better prices. wink.gif
http://www.customavrack.com/default.aspx

Read thru the links below, they should provide everything you need to know.

1. http://www.customavrack.com/blog.aspx
2. http://www.customavrack.com/News/6-the-brass-tacks-of-middle-atlantic-racks.aspx
3. http://www.customavrack.com/News/7-the-brass-tacks-of-middle-atlantic-racks.aspx
4. http://www.customavrack.com/News/9-the-brass-tacks-of-middle-atlantic-racks-page-2-of-part-3.aspx
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post #1594 of 1757
1/31/13 at 10:43pm
Thank you very much, everyone! I obviously have some reading to do, so I'll go do that before asking any more questions. Really appreciate the feedback so far!
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post #1595 of 1757
2/1/13 at 4:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by wadepoe View Post

Just Finished stage 1 or rack building this month.

Samsung monitor
middle atlantic 915r
Custom HTPC (XBMC/Sickbeard/SABNZBD) (with USB IR adapter)
ATT Uverse cable box
Logitec harmony RF extender for my harmony 1100 (controls everything.)
Monoprice 4x4 hdmi matrix
DLink NAS 2 bay
ATT Uverse modem (Back)
PS3 Slim
Panasonic Power conditioner

Monoprice 16 port network switch (not used)
middle atlantic 915r (not used)

Still having problems with 4x4 matrix over monoprice HDMI over cat5e extenders. (connection problems).



Stage 2:
full home audio + a few amps. (havnt chosen brand yet)

Nice "Equipment" room! I think your guns have scared everyone else from commenting but the rack look good! 

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post #1596 of 1757
2/1/13 at 5:02am
Yeah, I was thinking I should have closed the safe, but ehh its Texas.... Thanks for the comment not bad for a $200 craigslist MA rack.
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post #1597 of 1757
2/1/13 at 5:45am
200 bux for that rack was a steal! I found my MA rack on craigslist as well. One of the good things about living in a big city over the million negative things living in a big city.
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post #1598 of 1757
2/1/13 at 6:44am
Wade, do you ever wish you would have flush mounted that rack in the wall? I have the option to do so and I'm trying to evaluate the pros and cons of it.
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post #1599 of 1757
2/1/13 at 7:24am
^^^^ Do it. at my last house I didnt do it because I was renting and now that I bought my house I flush mounted it. It looks fantastic and glad I did it. Here is before and after.


Rented house


Bought house
IMG]
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post #1600 of 1757
2/1/13 at 8:19am
I tend to agree with you. Did you have to header off that wall to do that? Did you just leave enough of the rack hanging out of the wall to flush it up with the trim? Looks great btw!
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post #1601 of 1757
2/1/13 at 8:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by OPPIZ View Post

avrignaud, seems like you want to do what andyboy has done. Very seldom are doors used with custom rackmounts. Very heavy components with rack ears, need shelf or rear rack rail support( most manuals suggest this ). I don't know much about Sanus racks, they seem to make nice products. I really like their SANUS EcoSystem™, but the rest of their rack product line is too limited. I'd stick with Middle Atlantic, Lowell or Raxxess/Chief Mfg. The Middle Atlantic custom rackmounts will work with any 19" rack.

Custom Rackmount info: http://www.middleatlantic.com/rsh/rshcus2.htm
Database: http://www2.middleatlantic.com/rsh/RSHdataDepth.txt
Order: http://www.customavrack.com/category/20-middle-atlantic-custom-rack-shelves.aspx

Back when I put my rack together, I ordered everything from Performance Audio, but their prices have gone up.
Now I order from CustomAVrack.com , much better prices. wink.gif
http://www.customavrack.com/default.aspx

Read thru the links below, they should provide everything you need to know.

1. http://www.customavrack.com/blog.aspx
2. http://www.customavrack.com/News/6-the-brass-tacks-of-middle-atlantic-racks.aspx
3. http://www.customavrack.com/News/7-the-brass-tacks-of-middle-atlantic-racks.aspx
4. http://www.customavrack.com/News/9-the-brass-tacks-of-middle-atlantic-racks-page-2-of-part-3.aspx

Yea, the cheapest Middle Atlantic rack I found was on customavrack.com. Great prices!
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post #1602 of 1757
2/1/13 at 8:40am
Thanks! Yes I had to header it off and when I put the rack in, I just made it flush with the wall. The trim cleans the cuts up and I also like the rack pictures with the trim more than the racks without. The vent at the bottom is for ventilation. The rack is sitting on a sealed box that I made with a cutout for a dryer vent tube that runs through the wall. There is a hole in the top of the box for the air to go through the rack and a temperature controled fan assembly at the top.

Here is an old pic from when it was at my last house. Sorry for the blurry pic
.
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post #1603 of 1757
2/1/13 at 9:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pain Infliction View Post

^^^^ Do it. at my last house I didnt do it because I was renting and now that I bought my house I flush mounted it. It looks fantastic and glad I did it. Here is before and after.


Rented house


Bought house
IMG]

Looks good..
I am in your same condition as you were earlier. Currently i have the rack sitting out like a space shuttle in this rented home. Planning to buy a home in 2015 smile.gif and then will conceal it into the wall in the dedicated theater room in the basement.
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post #1604 of 1757
2/1/13 at 10:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pain Infliction View Post

Thanks! Yes I had to header it off and when I put the rack in, I just made it flush with the wall. The trim cleans the cuts up and I also like the rack pictures with the trim more than the racks without. The vent at the bottom is for ventilation. The rack is sitting on a sealed box that I made with a cutout for a dryer vent tube that runs through the wall. There is a hole in the top of the box for the air to go through the rack and a temperature controled fan assembly at the top.

Here is an old pic from when it was at my last house. Sorry for the blurry pic
.

I assume the fans at the top are pulling the heat out of the rack? Do you have anything actively pulling air into the rack to cool it or is it all just exhaust? I have an MA ERK 44 rack that is about 72" tall so I won't be able to use that "box" design but I might put some fans in the very bottom rack slots to pull air into the rack and then have exhaust fans in the top.
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post #1605 of 1757
2/1/13 at 10:11am
Thanks! Oh how I remember those days. Matter of fact it was a little over a year ago I posted the rack in this thread saying almost the exact same thing you are. I live in Houston so there are no basements. Maybe a couple of houses that were built in the 20's and 30's but those are rare. I wish I had a basement and I tell that to my wife all the time. I turned the gameroom upstairs into a dedicated theater. Not the most ideal scenario but it is all I can do. I actually bought the house because of the layout. The stairs going to the second floor split off from each other and the theater is in is own wing and the bedrooms are in the other. That was perfect and I did not find anything close to this layout in my price point.

One question....does a bassement count as square footage on the house? I dont think it does, but my wife and I always wonder that from the DIY shows we watch.
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post #1606 of 1757
2/1/13 at 10:13am
An unfinished basement doesn't count as square footage; however, if you finish it out it can.
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post #1607 of 1757
2/1/13 at 10:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by wraunch View Post

I assume the fans at the top are pulling the heat out of the rack? Do you have anything actively pulling air into the rack to cool it or is it all just exhaust? I have an MA ERK 44 rack that is about 72" tall so I won't be able to use that "box" design but I might put some fans in the very bottom rack slots to pull air into the rack and then have exhaust fans in the top.

Yes those fans are pulling the heat out. I do not have fan pulling in the cooler air. I though about it before but I do not need it. The temp never climbs above 85 degrees. You have to be careful when using puller and pusher fans together as well. You no not want one set of fans stronger than the other. You could always put in a vent plate on the rack. I think Middle Atlantic has a document you can read about ventilating a rack. It is very detailed and you can download it off of their website.
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post #1608 of 1757
2/1/13 at 10:19am
Gosh, I have been convincing wife to let us move to Houston, being fed up of the snow and wind. 5 months in Chicago is sleepy, half year wasted, high sales tax, high property tax, high insurance premiums, depleting downtown and job opportunities, extra expensive houses.. where as Houston is the contrary. for a 300-400K you can get a semi-mansion house.... plus low property taxes.
She looks almost convinced, but since few months i am a little bit put off... Buy a house and building a dedicated theater into it is one of my prime agenda's (which is not wife's) biggrin.gif and the fact that in Texas you cannot have a basement.. i wonder how a decent theater build would turn out on the main floor plan even if effective soundraps and bass traps are installed.
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post #1609 of 1757
2/1/13 at 10:25am
Property taxes here are actually quite high, but we don't have state income tax. And yes, $300-400k will buy you a lot of house. Not one with a basement, but one with a dedicated media room that you can turn into your theater without having to take over a spare bedroom or part of the garage.
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post #1610 of 1757
2/1/13 at 10:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pain Infliction View Post

Yes those fans are pulling the heat out. I do not have fan pulling in the cooler air. I though about it before but I do not need it. The temp never climbs above 85 degrees. You have to be careful when using puller and pusher fans together as well. You no not want one set of fans stronger than the other. You could always put in a vent plate on the rack. I think Middle Atlantic has a document you can read about ventilating a rack. It is very detailed and you can download it off of their website.

I do know that the erk top mount covers come with fans, but also you get options to just get the top mount cut out with no fans, and you can install your own fans. What did you choose? and whats the model number for your top cover.
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post #1611 of 1757
2/1/13 at 10:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spaceman View Post

Property taxes here are actually quite high, but we don't have state income tax. And yes, $300-400k will buy you a lot of house. Not one with a basement, but one with a dedicated media room that you can turn into your theater without having to take over a spare bedroom or part of the garage.

Oh, cool. Have a couple of family living over in the H town, and they mention, compared to Chicago the property tax is definately low, for a 300K - 350K you pay around 12,000 as property tax for any decent county, where as in Houston a 400K house its roughly around 6K to 8K Which is still less.
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post #1612 of 1757
2/1/13 at 10:41am
I pay 3.5% property taxes(all taxes including school) and I do not know anybody that pays higher than that. There probably is in the super high class areas though. If you can get past the super HOT summers and the traffic (probably like Cicago) then you are set. I am very surprised at how expensive houses are everywhere else. I love that houses are cheap here. Not sure why but I am not complaining. Houston never really struggled as much as other cities during the recession wich is a plus so job security is pretty good.
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post #1613 of 1757
2/1/13 at 10:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by holyindian View Post

I do know that the erk top mount covers come with fans, but also you get options to just get the top mount cut out with no fans, and you can install your own fans. What did you choose? and whats the model number for your top cover.

It is the Slim5 and I had to cut out the area for the fans. The fans are from coolerguys.com and I upgraded the fans because the ones that came with it were not moving enough air.
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post #1614 of 1757
2/1/13 at 11:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pain Infliction View Post

It is the Slim5 and I had to cut out the area for the fans. The fans are from coolerguys.com and I upgraded the fans because the ones that came with it were not moving enough air.

are they 120mm, do you have a link?
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post #1615 of 1757
2/1/13 at 11:24am
I will look it up when i get beck to my office.
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post #1616 of 1757
2/1/13 at 12:17pm
Thanks, looking forward to it.
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post #1617 of 1757
2/1/13 at 12:24pm
Here is the cooling fan setup. http://www.coolerguys.com/840556086352.html

here are the fans that I swapped the stock ones with. http://www.coolerguys.com/840556096603.html

If memory serves me right the fans come pulling the air in. You have to take them off and turn them over so they pull the air out. No big deal since I swapped them out anyway. The hardest part was cutting a good rectangle out of the thick steel on top of the rack.
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post #1618 of 1757
2/1/13 at 12:39pm
The new Slim 5 racks have knockouts in the top for fans.
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post #1619 of 1757
2/1/13 at 12:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pain Infliction View Post

Here is the cooling fan setup. http://www.coolerguys.com/840556086352.html

here are the fans that I swapped the stock ones with. http://www.coolerguys.com/840556096603.html

If memory serves me right the fans come pulling the air in. You have to take them off and turn them over so they pull the air out. No big deal since I swapped them out anyway. The hardest part was cutting a good rectangle out of the thick steel on top of the rack.

Thanks for the link, so here is a quick question.
I have the top mount with fan cut outs, i was planning to install the 120mm Gentle Typhoons.. (which is supposed to be the best of its class in 120mm category)... how is the cooler guys fan in terms of working as an exhaust? And any particular reason u went with the entire fan kit including the fan controller, cos anyways u cannot see anything from the top,? Does ur exhaust work 24x7 or have u programmed it to run/exhaust out air only when reaching a certain degree. Or Will just mounting the fans to the top mount work via 4pin molex connectors via daisy chaining them? Just trying not to overspend too much on simple exhaust mechanism. Now cos i have a four fan cutout, i will have to be spending over 200 dollars for the cooler guys fan kit and the controller. Instead if i could just get 4 fans for 40 bucks, and a 4 pin adapter to make the molex pins work worth 25 bucks, for less than half i can have it going. No point in going the controller route for something that is sitting on the top of the rack thats 80" high.
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post #1620 of 1757
2/1/13 at 12:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by holyindian View Post

Thanks for the link, so here is a quick question.
I have the top mount with fan cut outs, i was planning to install the 120mm Gentle Typhoons.. (which is supposed to be the best of its class in 120mm category)... how is the cooler guys fan in terms of working as an exhaust? And any particular reason u went with the entire fan kit including the fan controller, cos anyways u cannot see anything from the top,? Does ur exhaust work 24x7 or have u programmed it to run/exhaust out air only when reaching a certain degree. Or Will just mounting the fans to the top mount work via 4pin molex connectors via daisy chaining them? Just trying not to overspend too much on simple exhaust mechanism. Now cos i have a four fan cutout, i will have to be spending over 200 dollars for the cooler guys fan kit and the controller. Instead if i could just get 4 fans for 40 bucks, and a 4 pin adapter to make the molex pins work worth 25 bucks, for less than half i can have it going. No point in going the controller route for something that is sitting on the top of the rack thats 80" high.

In terms of working as exhaust it works great. I got the kit because you can program the kit to turn on at a certain temp and shut off at a certain temp. I do not want to have to go and look to see if it is getting too hot in my rack and flip a switch. The kit does everything for me and perfectly. You can use your cut outs for fans and buy the temp control module by itself. Then you can splice the connectors onto your fans. Run them in parallel and make sure they are to the correct voltage. I think this might have answered your questions and points you were making. Let me know if you have any more questions.
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