AP-16 runs warm

[vista]

I mounted the AP-16 in a large tupperware container to keep the fog and outside contaminates away from the board. I checked it after running 8 hours (running at haunt in Salem's Nightmare Factory) and it seems to be running very warm.. Not so warm that I think the plastic will melt but it was warm enough to not want to leave my fingers on the heat sink.
What is the normal operating temperature that I can expect from this and I assume I need to create a housing that will provide ventilation for the board.

Am I running the risk of damaging the board? 

I didn't see anything in the PDF on this so maybe it's one more thing to warn us newbies about so we don't waste the 159$ on a new board or burn down the haunt.

Also on a separate note when it switches from ambient to first wav file there is a loud click so the victim knows there will be something happening... is there anything I'm doing wrong?  I could record the switch over and send it for you to hear what I mean...

Jeff, is this going to fry my board? Folger...  ::)

[JackMan]

That question was already addressed, here's the link.
http://www.efx-tek.com/php/smf/index.php?topic=1425.0

[JonnyMac]

As Jack pointed out, the AP-16+ does run warm as a lot of power is going through it, but we've stress tested it and are confident you will have no problems if you follow the guidance on the page linked above.

The click is from the relay that engages when the audio file starts -- in an enclosure during normal operating I don't think your customers will hear this, and you can always put it into an enclosure than provides a bit of sound-proofing if it is near the user.

[bsnut]

Let me suggest a cooling fan,ones used in computers (120volt or 12volts). You need negative air pressure inside the enclosure this will keep the heat down and trash and water out when the fan is running. You will a need filter media to help keep any dirt and trash from entering the enclosure, which is the best thing to have. If, you have no filter media that will be fine, make sure that it is facing down so nothing enters in and water says out. We have this setup at my work for some of the control cabinets that we have outside and VFD's that are inside and it works great. Cooler is always a good thing with electronics.

[JackMan]

Also on a separate note when it switches from ambient to first wav file there is a loud click so the victim knows there will be something happening... is there anything I'm doing wrong?

If this "click" is coming from your speakers, you have some undesirable quality in your WAV file. As Jon mentioned, the click of the on-board relay is barely loud enough to hear when you have the AP-16+ right in front of you.

[bsnut]

If this "click" is coming from your speakers, you have some undesirable quality in your WAV file. As Jon mentioned, the click of the on-board relay is barely loud enough to hear when you have the AP-16+ right in front of you.

Here are tests that you can perform to take care of your problem with the clicking sound. You need to remember that the AP-16 on-board relay is automatic-ally activated when an audio is played. The relay is not activated for AMBIENT.WAV, or during the pre- and post-play delay periods.

You can put the AP16 in a different enclosure with better sound proofing or you can relocate enclosure to a different spot to see if the clicking sound goes away or you can do the following test to see whats causing the problem.

You can try this easy test.

1: Connect different Speakers or stereo amplifier to the AP16+.
2: Start the file as you would normally do.
 
What this test is going do, is seeing if you are hearing the click that you are saying that you are hearing and where is it coming from. Is it the relay on the AP16 in mounted the enclosure or is it the WAV file, is it the speakers or the stereo amplifier . If you hear the relay pull in that is normal. The first time you do this test, you are trying to hear the differences between the sound of the relay on the AP16 mounted in your enclosure or is it the speakers or the stereo amplifier or even the WAV file. You will need to repeat this test so you can hear any differences coming from AP16+.

Here is another easy test that you can try.

1: Keep the speakers or the stereo amplifier hooked up to the AP-16+
2: Turn the volume up for the speakers or the stereo amplifier little bit more to drown out the sound of the relay is making. You need to remember when not using the speaker output terminals you should rotate the speaker volume potentiometers fully counter-clockwise (lowest setting). If more volume is required the AP-16+ also provides line-level outputs that can be connected to an external, stereo amplifier.  
3: Start the file as you would normally do.

Now if the clicking sound is still a problem after you fixed enclosure issue, then it is maybe coming from the speakers or your WAV file is causing the problem. This means you need to go back to the prop drawing board ;D    

This is how I do sound troubleshooting when I hear a undesirable sounds or just general troubleshooting. I try to rule out everything, is it the speakers or is it external stereo amplifier connected to AP16+ or any other player.    

[vista]

thanks Bsnut. I'll try this with the 16 I have at home and see if it makes the same sound as the one in the haunt. If no one else hears a click between switching from ambient.wav to a selected sound then it must be me.
Jeff