Ultralite AVB "Hot electronics" smell

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hughhalf
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Ultralite AVB "Hot electronics" smell

Post by hughhalf »

Hi,

I've just purchased a new Ultralite AVB while in the US for the week. It's a sweet unit and very happy with my explorations of it so far.

One thing I'm curious of - while running it gives off a bit of a "hot electronics" or perhaps more specifically, the smell of a quite warm resistor or voltage regulator. Nothing burning, just smells likes something is getting warm and only noticeable if you get close to the vents.

I'd be curious if anyone else has noticed it - may well be entirely normal for the unit, but if not would be good to know while it's still easy to return/exchange if need be :)

Thanks in advance,

Cheers,
Hugh
EMRR
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Re: Ultralite AVB "Hot electronics" smell

Post by EMRR »

The 16A and Monitor 8 run very hot, FWIW. There's no way you'd stack them in a rack without space above and below, they need breathing room. Haven't driven the Ultralite.
Doug Williams
Electromagnetic Radiation Recorders
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hughhalf
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Re: Ultralite AVB "Hot electronics" smell

Post by hughhalf »

Thanks for the info EMRR - useful to have context from other models within the same range :)
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monkey man
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Re: Ultralite AVB "Hot electronics" smell

Post by monkey man »

Same for the ol' 24I/Os Hugh.

As your name suggests, if you leave roughly half a rack space (one exposed screw hole) between units, you should be 'right; this is what I've always done for my MOTU audio interfaces. In fact, the habit spilled over to the rest of my rig (synths, pres, guitar processing etc.). One rack hole between everything, even for the 2 MIDI Express XT units where it's definitely not needed as they run cooool.

Guess what I'm trying to get across is that, IMHO, if you've got the space to spare, this one-hole-to-rule-them-all principle is worth implementing. I did. Now she's got me under the thumb.

Mac 2012 12C Cheese Grater, OSX 10.13.6
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EMRR
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Re: Ultralite AVB "Hot electronics" smell

Post by EMRR »

24i/o runs cool in comparison. Really.
Doug Williams
Electromagnetic Radiation Recorders
The Martha Bassett Show broadcast mixer
Tape Op issue 73

DP 11.31
Studio M1 Max OS12.7.3
MOTU 16A and Monitor 8
M1 Pro MBP for remotes and editing
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monkey man
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Re: Ultralite AVB "Hot electronics" smell

Post by monkey man »

Wha?!! That's amazing to me 'cause these puppies are the closest thing I've had to heating in 15 years. Further to that, I'm looking at a combination of 16A and 24Ai units, and assumed both would run cooler as neither sports as many AD/DA converters as the 24I/O.

Gee doug, would you recommend I go to a 2-screw-hole gap rather than my traditional single one once I make the switch? I'll certainly have more rack space at hand seeing as I have to sell a bunch of stuff to fit the constrained USB2 system's size. Bear in mind that the AVB units will be stacked atop one another.

Mac 2012 12C Cheese Grater, OSX 10.13.6
MOTU DP8.07, MachFive 3.2.1, MIDI Express XT, 24I/O
Novation, Yamaha & Roland Synths, Guitar & Bass, Kemper Rack

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Re: Ultralite AVB "Hot electronics" smell

Post by EMRR »

I have full RU between adjacent equipment. Consider them as if they are 2RU in the first place, I think that's what the manual recommends. I did take 16a and 2408 to a remote gig and stacked them for 2 hours, both were frighteningly hot when it came back apart.
Doug Williams
Electromagnetic Radiation Recorders
The Martha Bassett Show broadcast mixer
Tape Op issue 73

DP 11.31
Studio M1 Max OS12.7.3
MOTU 16A and Monitor 8
M1 Pro MBP for remotes and editing
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monkey man
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Re: Ultralite AVB "Hot electronics" smell

Post by monkey man »

Yikes!

OK, from now on it's 1 rack-space apart. I may not have the room to do this with all the synths, but seeing as it's all being whittled down to fit the AVB USB2 size restriction, this just might be universally doable.

Thank you for your sage advice, as always, Doug.
Nicky

Mac 2012 12C Cheese Grater, OSX 10.13.6
MOTU DP8.07, MachFive 3.2.1, MIDI Express XT, 24I/O
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rockitcity
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Re: Ultralite AVB "Hot electronics" smell

Post by rockitcity »

monkey man wrote:Yikes!

OK, from now on it's 1 rack-space apart. I may not have the room to do this with all the synths, but seeing as it's all being whittled down to fit the AVB USB2 size restriction, this just might be universally doable.

Thank you for your sage advice, as always, Doug.
Nicky
Your rack screws will line up better with a full rack space between them as well, but maybe you're only using two screws per unit. Gear isn't as heavy as it used to be anyway.
Mac Mini Quad i7 2.6 Ghz, 16 G RAM, 2 SSD's. Motu 896 HD Hybrid, 8pre, Fastlane USB, Presonus Faderport, vintage guitars!
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monkey man
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Re: Ultralite AVB "Hot electronics" smell

Post by monkey man »

Great point man!

It's always a "fun" little guessing game for me when I add a new unit as to whether I'll just be using the bottom screws or all 4. As you suggest, the 1U spacing will ensure consistency based on whichever slots one uses for the first-installed device.

Thank you for pointing that out, rockitcity.

Mac 2012 12C Cheese Grater, OSX 10.13.6
MOTU DP8.07, MachFive 3.2.1, MIDI Express XT, 24I/O
Novation, Yamaha & Roland Synths, Guitar & Bass, Kemper Rack

Pretend I've placed your favourite quote here
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