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 Active
Thermal Management (ATM) has announced their new Cool-Line™ linear
ventilation products, designed to provide quiet cooling in tight places.
The new product is available
in metal and various species of unfinished wood. There are also matching
grilles, without fans, available in metal and wood to further trim the
intake openings. Cool-Line products measure 4” or less in depth with
varying lengths from the 15” (single fan) Cool-Line I to the
30” (twin fan) Cool-Line II. Various other sizes are available
by special order. The Cool-Line II unit measures about 30.25"
wide x 3.25" high. The cutout opening needs to accommodate 29"
x 2.5" and allow for 4" deep. Each fan moves approximately 20
CFM in free air providing excellent ventilation in cabinets with heat-producing
electronics. The fans are powerful, yet run quietly thanks to the advanced
temperature control loop.
 Thermal
Control
The Cool-Line II includes a separate thermal control unit that
limits the voltage to the fans based on the temperature sensed by the
two remote thermal probes. The circuit increases the voltage drive to
the motors as the temperature increases. This prevents overheating in
the enclosure. The temperature control unit is designed to support up
to four sets of fans, which can be connected directly to the terminal
board. The transformer-based power adapter is rated with an output of
9VDC at 0.5 amps and connects to the thermal control module though a power
jack. This makes it easy to disconnect the power adapter from the rest
of the unit during installation.
 The
Cool-Line II has two squirrel cage fans, each measuring 11.5"
long and 1.25" in diameter. The fans are designed to move a lot of
air. Since the Cool-Line II uses a thermal control unit with temperature
sensor, there is no need to switch power to the cooling system. It can
stay plugged in continuously and only runs when needed.
Conclusion
The Active
Thermal Management Cool-Line series not only looks good, but also
does a great job of keeping electronics from overheating in an enclosure.
The company offers many options including various finishes to suit your
needs. We found the engineering and build quality to be excellent. Retail
pricing for Cool-Line products ranges from $330 to $595, depending
on size and grille material. If your components need cooling, you should
be looking at the many options available from Active Thermal Management.
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Kevin Nakano
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