stevie Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 I've taken all the visible screws from the wooden case on my Behringer BX4500 head and the thing won't come out. It's solid. I even looked under the corners in case there were hidden screws there. Come someone tell me what I am missing? I haven't played this at loud volumes yet, but the fan on the back panel doesn't come on at low volumes. Is this normal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 The fan shouldn't be related to Volume. There are 2 types, those that are on all the time and those that are temperature sensitive and only come on when the temperature in the case rises above a set level. So it depends on which type it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 Looking online it seems its just held in with 4 screws on the top. So it should slide out from the back or the front. Try pushing it from the back first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted October 16, 2016 Author Share Posted October 16, 2016 [quote name='BassBunny' timestamp='1476625881' post='3155710'] The fan shouldn't be related to Volume. There are 2 types, those that are on all the time and those that are temperature sensitive and only come on when the temperature in the case rises above a set level. So it depends on which type it is. [/quote] Yes, that's what I'm trying to find out. I can hear the internal fan, which is on all the time. As I'm using it at home at a low volume at the moment, the amp is not getting hot. It could well be that it only switches in when the amp gets hot, in which case all is fine. However, if the fan is faulty and I gig the amp, I could blow the amp and my speaker. The reason I want to get inside the amp is to test the external fan. Even then, it could be the thermistor switch that's faulty, which is why I'd like to know if the fan should be turning at low volumes. I'd give Behringer a call, but it's Sunday and I'm not sure I'd be able to find someone to answer the question anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted October 16, 2016 Author Share Posted October 16, 2016 [quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1476630887' post='3155784'] Looking online it seems its just held in with 4 screws on the top. So it should slide out from the back or the front. Try pushing it from the back first. [/quote] I've tried pushing, pulling, banging and levering, and believe me, it is stuck. There are screws top (and bottom) holding the amp in the casing, but there has to be something else as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Did you take the handle off? May be bolted through to the chassis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted October 18, 2016 Author Share Posted October 18, 2016 It did cross my mind, but it wasn't immediately clear how to get to the handle bolts. I tried levering the handle covers off, but they wouldn't budge. I'll try again with a bit more force. Thanks. That could be it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 Not sure brute force is the answer. These should come apart pretty easily or how would they repair them. Are the screws that attach the feet also screwing into the chassis? If all else fails drop a line to this forum as a guy there has obviously managed to take them apart. http://music-electronics-forum.com/t25581/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted October 18, 2016 Author Share Posted October 18, 2016 I unscrewed a couple of the feet and the screws were just long enough to go into the wood. Thanks for the pointer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted October 19, 2016 Author Share Posted October 19, 2016 I tried removing the handle, but that is not so simple either: there are no visible screws and you can't lever the end caps off without damaging them. Hmmmm. I called the nice people at Electronic Music Services in Southend and they didn't really know. I suppose that's good news because it means they probably haven't had one in for repair. They did say that the handle screws were unlikely to be screwed into the chassis though. Time to drop a line to the guy on the forum who managed to figure it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 (edited) [quote name='stevie' timestamp='1476621916' post='3155671'] I've taken all the visible screws from the wooden case on my Behringer BX4500 head and the thing won't come out. It's solid. I even looked under the corners in case there were hidden screws there. Come someone tell me what I am missing? I haven't played this at loud volumes yet, but the fan on the back panel doesn't come on at low volumes. Is this normal? [/quote] I had one years ago, the fan was on at all times. It used to annoy me a little bit when I used it at home at low volume... so it most definitely was on at low volume. It doesn't sound bad at all, that amp... I cannot help with how to opening it, I never tried and I no longer have that head, sorry. Edited October 19, 2016 by mcnach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted October 21, 2016 Author Share Posted October 21, 2016 Thanks, McNach, that's most useful. It means that the fan is faulty and that I do really need to get inside to replace it. Still no luck though. I couldn't get in touch with the guy on the site BassBunny recommended because they claimed I was spammer(!). I've asked a question on the Behringer forum but I'm not very hopeful. It's at times like this that you appreciate Ashdown's quality of service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu_g Posted October 21, 2016 Share Posted October 21, 2016 ive got one of these and i have removed it from its casing as far as i remember just took all the screws out and pushed it out the back of the case? i know it wasnt too difficult so maybe yours is caught on something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu_g Posted October 21, 2016 Share Posted October 21, 2016 (edited) sorry mine is the bvt4500 my mistake Edited October 21, 2016 by stu_g Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted November 2, 2016 Author Share Posted November 2, 2016 (edited) Well, I finally got a reply from Behringer Support in the UK. It took a phone call and a bit of persuasion, as they seem to be scared to death of helping anyone fix their own gear in case they fry themselves. So, for anyone doing a Google search and coming across this thread ..... the answer is: brute force. Haha Undo all visible screws holding the chassis in (not on the feet and corners, of course) and then push like buggery from the back. (Stu_G and Twincam were right, sortof.) It took a bit of huffing and puffing, but it did finally come out - and the fan is as stiff as.... well, a brush. I've ordered a good quality 24V replacement and we should be in business again shortly. Interestingly, the case is 3/4" wood and weighs almost as much as the amp. I'm considering making a lighter plywood case, which should bring the weight down to under 10kg, I reckon. The handles bolt into the case, but I can't figure out how to get the two metal handle covers off. Unless anyone has a better idea, I suppose I'll try brute force on those too. Edited November 7, 2016 by stevie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timhiggins Posted November 2, 2016 Share Posted November 2, 2016 I have the same amp and the fan is on all the time on mine too ,its quite loud [louder than my ashdown abm 500 or my old trace] so i'm interested to know how your replacement sounds i'm afraid i cant offer any advice on the handles ..good luck they are great underated amps imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted November 2, 2016 Author Share Posted November 2, 2016 (edited) I ordered this one, Tim: <http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/391490937364?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT>. That brand has quite a good reputation. Unfortunately, I've never heard the amp with the fan going - so I can't make a comparison, but I'll let you know what it sounds like when I fit it. People often make the mistake of fitting a quieter fan without realising the new one will run at a slower speed and will therefore not cool as well. Behringer specified a fan that runs at about 3,000rpm and that's never going to be really quiet. Because of the fan problem, I haven't played the amp outside the house, but I rather like it. I particularly like the eq, which I believe was nicked from Ashdown, but still - they probably nicked it from someone else. Edited November 2, 2016 by stevie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted November 7, 2016 Author Share Posted November 7, 2016 (edited) I've installed the fan, and yes, it's LOUD. I can't be doing with that, as it's annoyingly loud inside the house, and I'm going to slow it down. I can't see why it needs to pump that much air when there is a huge heatsink inside. It wouldn't have cost them much to link the fan to a heat sensor, but when you stack 'em high and sell 'em cheap I suppose every eurocent counts. Anyone thinking of trying to slow their fan down might like to consult this very useful site: [url="http://www.blackfiveservices.co.uk/fanspeed.shtml."]http://www.blackfiveservices.co.uk/fanspeed.shtml[/url] The calculator tells me that a 8-ohm resistor will do the trick. [The link is correct, but for some reason a full stop gets inserted at the end or the URL. Copy the URL (rather than clicking on it), delete the full stop in your browser and you'll get to the site.] Edited November 7, 2016 by stevie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timhiggins Posted November 11, 2016 Share Posted November 11, 2016 Thanks for that update Stevie i shall leave mine alone then as i only use it for gigging so the fan is not a problem in that context. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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