Review on 🌬️ AC Infinity CLOUDPLATE T7-N 2U Rack Mount Fan Panel: Optimal Intake Airflow for AV, Home Theater, Network 19” Racks Cooling by Sue Baccam

This review is for AC Infinity CLOUDPLATE T7-N Rack Mount Fan Panel 2U Intake Airflow for AV Cooling Home Theater Network 19" Racks. I ordered this unit because I needed an air intake fan I was considering going the do-it-yourself route and just hooking up some fans to the inside of a 2U vented board, but for $109 and shipped on same day via Revain Prime it was too good to pass up Mentioned in their reviews I confirm that the fans make a "howling" noise. It bugs me a little up close. The noise is noticeable when the fans are running at low speed...the speed I can't hear. There are 7 fan speeds, numbered 0 through 6. Zero (0) is off Six (6) is the highest fan speed setting. You can set a constant fan speed. speed, or you can program it to use a graduated speed scale. I'll explain in a moment. But first I will clarify that as a home theater fan I find that even a fan speed of one (1) causes that annoying fan noise. I really don't think I can hold out for long. Yes, it's that bad. I will most likely replace the fans with ones that I know from previous experience are quiet. I don't know the nominal CFM, but the highest (6) speed setting makes it pretty loud. Some of this noise is due to the air being forced in, but mostly it's the fact that these fans are just plain loud. I mean, honestly, for a product advertised for home theater use, the Infinity could do better. They are similar to the standard fans on most UPSs. If you're a network engineer, you'll understand what I'm talking about. I suspect whoever designed this device previously spent time with fans in a server room because the Cloudplate T7-N sounds a bit like that when running at maximum speed. As for the LCD and the buttons around it, the important features related to fans and cooling are the fact that there are 7 fan speed settings, with 0 being off and 6 being maximum speed. Another 4 operating modes: Off; On the; automatic power on; Smart on "On" fans run at set speed (1-6); Auto means the fans will turn on at a certain set speed when the temperature sensor reaches the set temperature; and "Smart" means the fans will gradually turn on and speed up as the temperature rises. When they turn on depends on the maximum fan speed you set (the fan setting is used as maximum speed, not constant speed). I particularly like the intelligent fan function. I suspect a 3U machine with 120mm fans will be significantly quieter. It's much easier to find a 120mm fan with good airflow and little to no noise than an 80mm fan. Unfortunately I didn't want to sacrifice so much space in the fan rack. When you need a unit that will cool your rack gear when your amps and all your other goodies are turned on, but also need a quiet space during silent movie scenes. , you'd better make sure you budget for the cost of replacing the 5V fans that come with this unit. YMMV.