Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: dennyg on October 15, 2018, 09:38:37 am

Title: ye old standby or no debate
Post by: dennyg on October 15, 2018, 09:38:37 am
Hey guys - I built my first 50W amp back in Jan.  All previous builds have been 20W or less.  Having worshipped at the church of Merlin for my formative years, I adopted the no standby switch theology.  However with the 50W build, I see the pre-amp plates getting hit with 420V for about 5 seconds before the heaters and caps warm up, after which they quickly settle in to their run-state well under their 300V max per datasheet.
Is this negatively impacting tube life or is it ok as is?  I'm fine adding an S/B switch but would enjoy inputs from those of you who are service techs and  see trends with no-standby amps failing at a greater rate than those those which include them. 
Title: Re: ye old standby or no debate
Post by: shooter on October 15, 2018, 10:57:25 am
Quote
the pre-amp plates getting hit with 420V
I look it as Plate dissipation spec's, at 420, there is ~~~0 current, so 420 * 0 =  :icon_biggrin:
as electron finally start moving, plate comes down, Pdis, isn't abused
Title: Re: ye old standby or no debate
Post by: PRR on October 15, 2018, 11:47:12 am
> pre-amp plates getting hit with 420V for about 5 seconds

Not a problem.

Euro datasheets often have a 600V limit for NO current (pre-warmup).
Title: Re: ye old standby or no debate
Post by: dennyg on October 15, 2018, 01:13:29 pm
You guys made my day - thanks for taking time to reply with a couple of validations of my 'no-standby' personal preference
Title: Re: ye old standby or no debate
Post by: shooter on October 15, 2018, 02:31:07 pm
Quote
those of you who are service techs
the K.I.S.S. rules, one less mechanical thing to break, 2 less wires to trace  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: ye old standby or no debate
Post by: pdf64 on October 16, 2018, 03:30:30 am
Note that if there's a DCCF stage then mitigation will be necessary http://www.valvewizard.co.uk/dccf.html