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Post by strat59 on May 11, 2014 12:39:11 GMT -7
Has anyone installed a fan or using external fan to cool tubes? Your thoughts on this will be appreciated a lot. Any way to install fan in Maz or Remedy head?
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Post by BradPaisleyFan (Pat) on May 11, 2014 18:54:02 GMT -7
I use a normal fan blowing into the back of my ltd CG since I put in a wood valence on the front. I don't do it to extend tube life, which I can't vouch if it would even do that but I know my CG appreciates it. She gets warm and the fan keeps it cool.
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Post by Maddog on May 11, 2014 19:16:59 GMT -7
My Ray had a fan in it when i bought it. Factory item me thinks!
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on May 11, 2014 20:31:24 GMT -7
I have fans in my JAZ 20/40, my Bluesman, my Super Z and had one in my SRZ65 RC. Not sure it helped life of tubes but does keep them cooler!
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Post by zpilot on May 12, 2014 6:09:08 GMT -7
My JAZ combo came with a fan. When I switched the chassis over to a head cabinet (purchased from Dr.Z) I moved the fan with it. It was a really tight fit but I got it done. I found out later that the head version doesn't have a fan but it's done now. My MAZ Sr combo had a fan (I think) and so did an old Traynor amp I used to have. Other than that I don't remember anything having one and I've owned over 100 amps. I rarely see one in anything I do repair work on either.
In a vacuum tube it is the heating of the cathode that makes it work. As long as you have proper spacing between the tubes and enough openings in the cabinet for ventilation there is no need to worry about overheating the tubes; especially if the chassis is mounted in the bottom of a head cabinet where the heat is rising away from the chassis. In extreme cases, such as playing in direct sunlight on a hot day, it would be prudent to have a fan blowing into the back of the cabinet though.
The real need for proper cooling is to prolong the life of some of the other components; mainly caps. Most have a limit around 185 degrees F. Your amp probably will never see anything like that but running it at 140-150 degrees will shorten their life somewhat. I don't know what the temp. ratings are for components in a Z but those numbers should be close.
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Post by John on May 12, 2014 14:49:08 GMT -7
I think the deal is this:
If it's a combo with 4 power tubes, hanging upside down, then a fan may be warranted because there's not enough ventilation. My old stangray combo had a fan. (But my Ghia combo does not) But amp heads, tubes facing up, where the heat can rise and not have to 'go through the amp' don't need one.
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Post by doctorice on May 13, 2014 8:02:08 GMT -7
I think the deal is this: If it's a combo with 4 power tubes, hanging upside down, then a fan may be warranted I have a Mesa Maverick (30 watt, 4xEL84 combo with upside down tubes). It's got a fan.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on May 13, 2014 9:51:40 GMT -7
^^ I've never put 2 & 2 together to figure that out, but John's explanation sounds about right. (For example, the new Z-wreck combo I belive has 4 tubes but no fan, since the chassis is mounted sideways and the heat can dissipate up through a top vent.)
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Post by fishman on May 13, 2014 14:54:18 GMT -7
Yup...fans in all my amps
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