Vertical vs. Horizontal – does it matter?

Joshua_G · 17th January 2010, 01:00 AM

Are there any implications or considerations for mounting tubes vertically or horizontally?

Are there difference between small signal triodes, power pentodes and HT rectifiers?

jmilch · 17th January 2010, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua_G

Are there any implications or considerations for mounting tubes vertically or horizontally?

Are there difference between small signal triodes, power pentodes and HT rectifiers?

The original datasheet will tell you what mounting limitations a particular tube may have.

Joshua_G · 17th January 2010, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmilch

The original datasheet will tell you what mounting limitations a particular tube may have.

Thanks.
1. Most data sheets don't mention this issue.
2. Even for tubes that the data sheet says they can be mounted either way, there may be some issues related to mounting position, like sound quality, immunity to vibrations and lifetime.
Therefore my questions.

kavermei · 17th January 2010, 04:26 AM

If you want to mount tubes horizontally, it is usually best to make sure that the posts which support the grid wires are in the same vertical plane. Otherwise the grid wires may sag because of the heat, and at one side will come closer to the cathode while on the other side coming closer to the anode. That would change the characteristics of the tube.

analog_sa · 17th January 2010, 06:09 AM

Yes, DHTs can even fail if mounted horisontally at the wrong angle.

Joshua_G · 17th January 2010, 06:59 AM

Thanks.
What's DHTs and which angles are wrong?

analog_sa · 17th January 2010, 08:00 AM

I'll leave to someone else to explain what's DHTs

If the filaments are not perpendicular to ground they may eventually sag and hit the grid.

Sch3mat1c · 17th January 2010, 07:53 PM

Directly heated rectifiers also recommend this, e.g. 5Y3, 5U4, etc. I suppose the grid is closer to the filament in a triode than a rectifier, making this an even greater concern.

Tim

pointy · 17th January 2010, 08:30 PM

the internal heating will be different due to thermal lift. also some of the external wires may sag and short in horizontal mode.

Sch3mat1c · 18th January 2010, 01:17 AM

Well, the envelope will be hotter on the top side unless you use a fan (and if you have a lot of tubes crammed inside, that's a good idea, as Tektronix did back in the day). In a vacuum, heat knows no gravity.

Tim

17th January 2010, 01:00 AM	#1
Joshua_G diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Israel	Vertical vs. Horizontal – does it matter? Are there any implications or considerations for mounting tubes vertically or horizontally? Are there difference between small signal triodes, power pentodes and HT rectifiers?

17th January 2010, 04:26 AM	#4
kavermei diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lokeren, Belgium	If you want to mount tubes horizontally, it is usually best to make sure that the posts which support the grid wires are in the same vertical plane. Otherwise the grid wires may sag because of the heat, and at one side will come closer to the cathode while on the other side coming closer to the anode. That would change the characteristics of the tube. __________________ Never send a human to do a machine's job. --Agent Smith

17th January 2010, 07:53 PM	#8
Sch3mat1c diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI	Directly heated rectifiers also recommend this, e.g. 5Y3, 5U4, etc. I suppose the grid is closer to the filament in a triode than a rectifier, making this an even greater concern. Tim __________________ See my Electronics webpage -- the home of Vacuum Tube Drag Racing. The key to being a successful Audiophile: "I reject your reality and substitute my own!"

18th January 2010, 01:17 AM	#10
Sch3mat1c diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI	Well, the envelope will be hotter on the top side unless you use a fan (and if you have a lot of tubes crammed inside, that's a good idea, as Tektronix did back in the day). In a vacuum, heat knows no gravity. Tim __________________ See my Electronics webpage -- the home of Vacuum Tube Drag Racing. The key to being a successful Audiophile: "I reject your reality and substitute my own!"

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17th January 2010, 06:09 AM	#5
analog_sa diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sofia	Yes, DHTs can even fail if mounted horisontally at the wrong angle.

17th January 2010, 06:59 AM	#6
Joshua_G diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Israel	Thanks. What's DHTs and which angles are wrong?

17th January 2010, 08:00 AM	#7
analog_sa diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sofia	I'll leave to someone else to explain what's DHTs If the filaments are not perpendicular to ground they may eventually sag and hit the grid.

17th January 2010, 08:30 PM	#9
pointy diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2009	the internal heating will be different due to thermal lift. also some of the external wires may sag and short in horizontal mode.

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