[donny619]

Would there be any issues standing a 9BSST or 4BST on their sides? I know it's a funky question but my cabinet has an area free that is perfect for one of my power amps. But unfortunately they would only fit if put in sideways.

[Stephen L]

Might possibly have an issue with cooling.

Steve

[James Tanner]

Yes depending on the speaker load and the heat dissapation required it may be an issue.  You could certainly try it and if the amp does not get hot all is well.

james

[Elizabeth]

I would think if you can support the amp so the bottom fins are not blocked it would be OK if you are not running really hard.
A way to do it would be a stand that had a flat base with thin brackets sticking up to fit in the deep part of a few fines.. so the rest of the fins are clear of the floor, or perhaps a few spikes up in between the fins to hold it up so the bottom fins can get air passing over then.
Good luck.

[BrysTony]

The fins are designed to dissipate heat - heat rises thus the fins are vertical.  If you are going to stand it on its' side the heat cannot rise from the fins that are now on the bottom so heat transfer for cooling is restricted.  Personally, I would not consider it because even if it does not get hot enough to shut down it is going to be running hotter and that is not good for electronics.

[95Dyna]

The fins are designed to dissipate heat - heat rises thus the fins are vertical.  If you are going to stand it on its' side the heat cannot rise from the fins that are now on the bottom so heat transfer for cooling is restricted.  Personally, I would not consider it because even if it does not get hot enough to shut down it is going to be running hotter and that is not good for electronics.

+1.  Bad idea.

[Elizabeth]

I disagree that cooling would be seriously hampered with the amp on its end with the bottom fins clear of the floor.
The cooling effect of the fins would only be slightly hindered by the different orientation. The fins would be at a slightly higher temperature than if in the normal position, but I bet not a lot more.
(I used to have two Carver amps I kept on end, they never had a problem)
The internal heat DOES rise up to the top end and that end is warmer than if the amp is laid flat.
It is not enough to just say 'bad idea'. Try it and see. Use a quality thermometer and measure the top fins temp compared to when flat.
I would guesstimate a ten to fifteen degree difference maximum in the center of the top fins. And the bottom (if raised off floor) would be about the same as in normal position.

[srb]

+1.  Bad idea.

+2.
 
Besides, the heatsink is not a structural element and is not specifically designed to support the weight of the amplifier, even less so with brackets or spikes as support points between the fins.
 
Steve

[Mad Mr H]

BAD!

As well as the heat sink issues.......

The lid is designed for air flow as well, so you will have a heat trap within the amp as well.

I have in the past been forced to run some amps on their side, these have all been fan cooled so less of an issue.

Cheaper in the long run to get a new cabinet.

[Laundrew]

I disagree that cooling would be seriously hampered with the amp on its end with the bottom fins clear of the floor.
The cooling effect of the fins would only be slightly hindered by the different orientation. The fins would be at a slightly higher temperature than if in the normal position, but I bet not a lot more.
(I used to have two Carver amps I kept on end, they never had a problem)
The internal heat DOES rise up to the top end and that end is warmer than if the amp is laid flat.
It is not enough to just say 'bad idea'. Try it and see. Use a quality thermometer and measure the top fins temp compared to when flat.
I would guesstimate a ten to fifteen degree difference maximum in the center of the top fins. And the bottom (if raised off floor) would be about the same as in normal position.

Even a slight increase in the ambient heat of an electronic component can impact reliability over a prolonged period. Case-in-point, at work we had a unit called a Display Generation Unit which supplied video information to numerous monitors - seventies technology here. This unit was installed in an air-conditioned cabinet. The Mean Time Between Failure rate was horrible - just under 200 hours of operation.

We re-designed the cold air supply ducting to this unit and the Mean Time Between Failure rate improved to a little over 600 hours. The interesting point was that we only decreased the exhaust air temperature of this unit by under 15°F!

Operate your electronics as cool as possible - as for heat sinks, do not mess with their orientation as they are designed to dissipate heat efficiently.

Be well...