*my* Tubelab SE build...

[oldmanStrat]

Originally posted by rknize


I used the same Fairchild Stealth diodes here that I used in my SSE. They are similar to what George recommends for the SSE.

I used what was on his parts list. For the SSE, I'd have to check my paperwork... sadly that hasn't been filed yet

[oldmanStrat]

My parts arrived today and I went through George's list.

Apparently all that was wrong was a blown FRED. The mosfets appear fine. The FREDs are exactly the part specified on the web site - they appear to be IXYS parts. I really hope they don't blow again.

I'm making a few modifications to the amp now that it is apart. I decided to add a small 12v fan to blow across the heat sinks and the board. I'm going to isolate it with some rubber grommets, and power it with a small wall wart that I've taken apart.

I also found a small heat sink that I'm going to mount on the back of the existing D1/U1 sink - between the larger heat sink and the fan, I think I should have a much cooler chassis.

I should have everything put back together tonight...

[oldmanStrat]

The amp is up and running again!

And I have a much better thermal solution - although the fan I'm using can be heard with the cover open, once I get the cover closed up I'm hoping that it will be fairly quiet.

With the new heat sink and fan the D1/U1 combo are much happier. Roughly 1/2 the temp of before - 40 to 50C.

pic below

[rknize]

Opening the holes around the tubes also helps with convection, assuming there is some sort of intake.

[oldmanStrat]

Ok, I noticed this before, but one of the channels comes on first by a few seconds... I assume that this is the difference between the two input tubes. But it's pretty abrupt, not like a heater gradually coming to temp...

Oh - and THANKS for all the help George, Russ & PaulyT... it's great to have support...

[rknize]

Yeah, mine does that too. I think it's some interaction with the input tube warm-up and their respective CCS.

[PaulyT]

You're welcome, though I don't think my "help" was as useful as Russ's and George's... There will be time to return the favor, since I'll hopefully be powering up mine pretty soon, and I'm sure I'll have mor questions. I'm having a hard time finding an appropriately sized heatsink, too, though I think I've got one ordered now that will work.

[Evenharmonics]

There are tons of heat sinks. http://www.mouser.com/catalog/catalogusd/638/1947.pdf

[PaulyT]

Ah, thanks, I didn't look too closely at mouser, was using mostly digikey. Though the one I ended up getting was this because it was about the right size (~4cm square) and a flat bottom, just have to drill a few holes. Plus if I need a fan with cute blue spinning lights I'm in business.

[oldmanStrat]

if you can get away without using a fan I would. Mine is too loud, so I'll probably end up putting a resistor in series to lower it's RPM's...