Installing tubes upside-down? Bad? Maybe it doesn't matter?

jarthel · 9th June 2006, 12:15 AM

as title. thank you.

ps. don't ask me why. just wondering if it's possible

SY · 9th June 2006, 12:21 AM

Yes, unless the datasheet says otherwise. But... you'll need a positive means of locking them in their sockets and to get sufficient air past them.

tubelab.com · 9th June 2006, 12:22 AM

Thousands of Fender guitar amplifiers prove that it can be done.

cogsncogs · 9th June 2006, 12:31 AM

As far as any other position read the data sheet.

Wayne

tubelab.com · 9th June 2006, 12:38 AM

Most DHT's can't be operated sideways, but upside down is OK. Mercury Vapor rectifiers will NOT work right upside down. Most indirectly heated tubes can me mounted in any position.

jarthel · 9th June 2006, 01:01 AM

how about 5651?

tubelab.com · 9th June 2006, 01:11 AM

The Sylvania data sheet says " Mounting position ------- any"
The Raytheon data sheet does not mention this. So hang it any way you want.

EC8010 · 9th June 2006, 10:37 AM

No, no, no. Valves shouldn't be hung upside down. The electrons get all confused and don't know where to go. Fender only did it because they wanted their amplifiers to sound as if the guitar was being played left-handed and upside down (fashionable at the time).

Seiously, in the absence of manufacturer's data to the contrary, post #5 sums it up.

Enzo · 10th June 2006, 12:27 AM

Would upside down tubes be right side up in Australia?

anatech · 10th June 2006, 12:31 AM

Yes.
All text books were rewritten for Austrailia to compensate for this.

9th June 2006, 12:15 AM	#1
jarthel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: somewhere in Australia	installing tubes upside-down? bad? maybe it doesn't matter? as title. thank you. ps. don't ask me why. just wondering if it's possible

9th June 2006, 12:21 AM	#2
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chicagoland Blog Entries: 1	Yes, unless the datasheet says otherwise. But... you'll need a positive means of locking them in their sockets and to get sufficient air past them. __________________ If there's a sucker born every minute, where do the rest of them come from?

9th June 2006, 12:22 AM	#3
tubelab.com diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South Florida	Thousands of Fender guitar amplifiers prove that it can be done. __________________ Too much power is almost enough! Turn it up till it explodes - then back up just a little.

9th June 2006, 01:11 AM	#7
tubelab.com diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South Florida	The Sylvania data sheet says " Mounting position ------- any" The Raytheon data sheet does not mention this. So hang it any way you want. __________________ Too much power is almost enough! Turn it up till it explodes - then back up just a little.

9th June 2006, 10:37 AM	#8
EC8010 diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Near London. UK	Hendrix... No, no, no. Valves shouldn't be hung upside down. The electrons get all confused and don't know where to go. Fender only did it because they wanted their amplifiers to sound as if the guitar was being played left-handed and upside down (fashionable at the time). Seiously, in the absence of manufacturer's data to the contrary, post #5 sums it up. __________________ The loudspeaker: The only commercial Hi-Fi item where a disproportionate part of the budget isn't spent on the box. And the one where it would make a difference...


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9th June 2006, 12:31 AM	#4
cogsncogs diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Wayne, West Virginia	As far as any other position read the data sheet. Wayne

9th June 2006, 12:38 AM	#5
tubelab.com diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South Florida	Most DHT's can't be operated sideways, but upside down is OK. Mercury Vapor rectifiers will NOT work right upside down. Most indirectly heated tubes can me mounted in any position. __________________ Too much power is almost enough! Turn it up till it explodes - then back up just a little.

9th June 2006, 01:01 AM	#6
jarthel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: somewhere in Australia	how about 5651?

10th June 2006, 12:27 AM	#9
Enzo diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lansing, Michigan	Would upside down tubes be right side up in Australia?

10th June 2006, 12:31 AM	#10
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Yes. All text books were rewritten for Austrailia to compensate for this.

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