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In Reply to: Newbie tube question- Tube failure posted by www.records on March 9, 2007 at 06:41:07:
Hello Steve,
I always watch the amps when I fire them up. Many times you can spot a arcing output tube or rectifier on startup ( I realize the MC-40s have SS rectification). The failure mode that is most dangerous however is when a tube "runs away" and starts conducting *WAY* more current than it is supposed to. If a tube runs away unchecked it is very possible to blow an output transformer before the fuse pops from the over current condition.I had a JJ E34L go nutz on me about a month ago in one of my living room system's Dynaco Mk IVs. We were having dinner and the amps had been powered up all day (like 7 hrs). The system was not playing music but I heard the tinkling of a hot tube's glass. I walked over and found the problem just as the fuse blew. It took out a grid stopper resistor and did no other damage other than the tube is toast.
I have been running those amps 12+ hrs a day lately (not working as much as I would like to), so I was glad to be nearby when it happened.
I lost a power transformer on one of my Heathkit W5-Ms that way a decade or so ago also. That was a very acrid, smoky event. The potting tar was running out from underneath the amp like it was water! Hello Fire dept? I was glad they were on the concrete floor!
--
Al GSilence is Golden
Duct Tape is Silver
Follow Ups:
I appreciate your input. I did have a tube go bad on my Sansui 1000A about 6 months ago upon firing it up. I always watch everything come up when I turn the system on, and I saw a real bright light come from under the cover and immediately turned it off. I took it back to the guy I had bought it from and he checked it all out and called me the next day that it was ready to sing again.Is Meechigan starting to warm up? The songbirds returned here about 2 weeks ago and the trees are about to burst. I am thinking about killing off my lawn. Mowing isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Steve
It has been sunny for TWO DAYS straight! Almost 50 deg f today. Still a foot of snow in the yard tho...The blue jays are back as well as the cardinals. Still no finches.
--
Al GSilence is Golden
Duct Tape is Silver
66 degrees in Potomac, MD
Ha, 72 F here in south spain.
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