Why is my Bash warm in standby?

[bassmonster]

So I use a Bash 300 to power my dual TT. It works great and it's cool when it's running, but when I turn it into standby mode it gets pretty warm. Like, you can feel the heat 2-3 inches off the top of the amp case when it's been in standby for awhile. I have vents in the top and bottom of my amp box so ventilation isn't the issue. I've had people tell me this isn't normal, is it?

[J_Dunavin]

My 240W plate amp from Parts Express does the same thing. Except it feels like the same warm temp all the time, on or stby.
You could always install a switch on the mains line to cut it off completely, but I wouldn't worry about it.

[bassmonster]

There are two switches on it and one of them does cut off at the mains. One puts it into on, auto-off, or standby mode, the other switch completely cuts power to it. I guess I just can't understand how being in standby is more of a load than when it's actually playing.

[Melissa Goudeseune]

I guess I just can't understand how being in standby is more of a load than when it's actually playing.

Well, technically, it appears to be warmer when it's not playing. You're not measuring volts with your hands .

For the scientific answer, pick up a Kill-a-Watt meter, plug your BASH amp into it, and measure the result.

Prices online range from $16 to $40.

[bassmonster]

I have one of those already, I'll hook it up and see what I get. Thanks for the feedback.

[bassmonster]

So I'm pulling around 20w with everything in my stereo system on standby. I know my receiver pulls 2 watts in standby. Should I isolate the Bash and measure volts instead of watts?

[BrentEvans]

Should I isolate the Bash and measure volts instead of watts?

You'd have to isolate it to find out if it's doing what it's supposed to...

Also, mains current is relatively stable... if you're experiencing voltage drop, you have other problems to solve. When dealing with mains power, current (measured in amps) is what varies, mostly, not voltage.

[Radian]

Switching amps kick off more heat when they're not passing a signal. That aspect of operation is normal. As far as the specific amount yours is kicking out being normal for the 300 in stand-by? Dunno.

[Gregory East]

At a guess the box makes it into an issue. No radiation from the amp case, it all has to pass as convected heat.

[Drey Chennells]

I've built dozens of cased amps with the 3 and 500 bash boards. Good heat you can feel 2-3 inches above the amp in standby sounds much warmer than I've experienced with them, but this is a very subjective thing without an actual temp. I haven't laser temped any of our amps, they run so cool, but I'm scheduled for 2 500 watt amps in gloss maple end of the month and will get a temp at working and idle for your reference.

[Drey Chennells]

Just finished 2 of the 500 watt amps in oil rubbed walnut (not maple) and here's what I temped.. our road version with a steel grill in lieu of plexi runs just as cool. Both were the same:
Off- 80.1 deg
Idle- 82.3 deg
50% for 10 minutes (4ohm sealed 12")- 85.4
..Cooler than a polar bear's toenails.

Oil Walnut Case 008_phixr.jpg (75.21 KiB) Viewed 1858 times

Oil Walnut Case 009_phixr.jpg (46.86 KiB) Viewed 1858 times

[bassmonster]

Beautiful work! Could be that the dual TT is about 3 ohms total impedance as well as to why the amp might get a little warmer when running. It hasn't died on me and nothing has melted or smoked yet so I think I'm okay.