I am designing some built-ins for the den for the tv, stereo etc. The bottom of the built-ins will be cabinets with doors and the top will have a countertop to put the tv on and bookshelves up to the ceiling. pretty standard design. I was concerned about the amount of heat generated by the cable box and stereo. the cabinets will be installed up against the wall will a solid countertop. How will the heat escape? Should I just design a place for the cable box to sit under or over the tv? my wife envisioned all of those things being hidden behind doors. how have some of y’all done this?
Thanks,
Scott
Replies
In addition to the question of heat dissipation, you need to think about all of those infrared remotes -- if the stereo and cable box are behind a door, the invisible light will also be ineffective.
You can solve the heat problem with some venting. Given a bit of thought, I'll bet you can figure out how to hide a slot or two for air intake, and one or two for the 'exhale'. Maybe the intake can be in the toe-kick, and the exhaust can be close to the wall, behind the TV.
And if you're still worried, install a computer fan in one of the openings.
As for the remotes, there are infrared "repeaters" available. You install an eye in the front of your cabinet, and the repeating transmitter inside the cabinet. One source is Rockler, but there are many others.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Scott
A "traditional", (in as much as anything done to solve a problem that has only been around for a century can be "traditional"), approach for cabinets made to hold electronics is to use fabric, woven grass, etc. as the center of the doors, so that there is free air circulation. Also, some of the cloth available is transparent to the infrared remote.
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