Hey guys, I just pulled an amp apart and this is my first I have come across with ceramic insulators. I was going to post asking about their thermal conductivity, and if they are really the best choice, and then I cracked one while cleaning it, so now I need to know if it is going to hurt if I go with a different insulator.
My go to is typically Kapton tape and Dow Corning 340 thermal compound (hey, I make it, can't beat it 🙂 ) or I also have a good stock of silicone/Kapton pads that I will sometimes use. I have had good luck with these options, but I'm not sure if they are better for thermal transfer than the ceramic. Ceramic seems like a pricey option for the manufacturer... I know I can order a replacement insulator, I am just curious if it is better and if so is it so much better that replacing all of them with one of my other options will hurt the thermal stability of the amp.
Amp in question is a Powerbass ASA3-1500.1D.
Thanks,
Jason
My go to is typically Kapton tape and Dow Corning 340 thermal compound (hey, I make it, can't beat it 🙂 ) or I also have a good stock of silicone/Kapton pads that I will sometimes use. I have had good luck with these options, but I'm not sure if they are better for thermal transfer than the ceramic. Ceramic seems like a pricey option for the manufacturer... I know I can order a replacement insulator, I am just curious if it is better and if so is it so much better that replacing all of them with one of my other options will hurt the thermal stability of the amp.
Amp in question is a Powerbass ASA3-1500.1D.
Thanks,
Jason
The ceramic insulators are sometimes used to get the transistors farther away from the heatsink which reduces capacitive coupling of the high frequency carrier to the heatsink. This reduces the high frequency noise on the heatsink and can prevent problems from the noise.
You can use them cracked. Just piece them back together.
You can use them cracked. Just piece them back together.
Also ceramic (alumina) insulators have very good thermal conductivity, combining with good thermal grease, you can get very good heat transfer to heat sink.
I do use them a lot in Korean amps, where transistors are mounted vertically and they do not stand close enough to heat sink.
I do use them a lot in Korean amps, where transistors are mounted vertically and they do not stand close enough to heat sink.
Hey guys,
i would like to know if i can use these ceramic alumina insulators between the transistor and the heatsink. I will use them for 2sa1941&2sc1958 push pull configration on my yamaha rx-v381 output stages. thickness of the insulator will be 1 mm and i plan to use thermal paste (gelid extreme ) for both the heatsink and die side. my biggest concern is whether there will be noise or other drawback to run the system properly. i am kind of a efficiency geek that i would to to maximize heat transfer as much as possible. even i plan to use 2 x 120mm fan as exhaust at 1000 rpm which will be sufficient enough (less noise ) decreasing temp 5 or 6 degrees C.
Thanks you for your suggestions.
i would like to know if i can use these ceramic alumina insulators between the transistor and the heatsink. I will use them for 2sa1941&2sc1958 push pull configration on my yamaha rx-v381 output stages. thickness of the insulator will be 1 mm and i plan to use thermal paste (gelid extreme ) for both the heatsink and die side. my biggest concern is whether there will be noise or other drawback to run the system properly. i am kind of a efficiency geek that i would to to maximize heat transfer as much as possible. even i plan to use 2 x 120mm fan as exhaust at 1000 rpm which will be sufficient enough (less noise ) decreasing temp 5 or 6 degrees C.
Thanks you for your suggestions.
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