I'm thinking to assemble my SSE inside of a 3U or 4U power amplifier chassis. The top and bottom panels would be "fully vented", meaning they have many rows of slotted vents.
Everything should fit easily within a 3U size, but I'm wondering if heat will be an issue, even with the vented panels. Hoping it can run without any fans.
Thoughts?
Everything should fit easily within a 3U size, but I'm wondering if heat will be an issue, even with the vented panels. Hoping it can run without any fans.
Thoughts?
I stuffed an SSE into this 2RU computer case. They were on sale for $39 with free shipping a couple of years ago.
iStarUSA D-213-MATX Black Aluminum / Steel 2U Rackmount microATX Server Chassis 1 External 5.25" Drive Bays - Newegg.com
I mounted both output tubes horizontally on a piece of angle aluminum right under the vents for the power supply fan, used a solid state rectifier (no 5AR4) and an Antek toroid for power. Most of the back of the chassis in open, but the bottom is solid. It gets quite warm, but not too hot to touch / hold. There is no fan.
I am currently working on a 70 WPC push pull amp going into a custom case that wasn't designed for rack mounting, but will be rack mounted. It's 4 inches tall. Pictures are in post #86 of this thread.
Tubelab Universal Driver Board, 2015 version
That cabinet puts the output tubes in a separate compartment which is covered by perforated metal top and bottom. The rest of the amp is enclosed.
I would say that a 3 RU chassis with top and bottom ventilation would be fine, just make sure all your transformers and tall tubes will fit inside the chosen box. The box will get quite warm due to heat absorption especially if it is black on the inside.
When mounting the amp inside a rack there should be open space above the output tubes. Rack ventilation is needed if long periods of operation are expected. The rack should have an open back, or some other openings to allow for air entry below the amp, and exit from above.
iStarUSA D-213-MATX Black Aluminum / Steel 2U Rackmount microATX Server Chassis 1 External 5.25" Drive Bays - Newegg.com
I mounted both output tubes horizontally on a piece of angle aluminum right under the vents for the power supply fan, used a solid state rectifier (no 5AR4) and an Antek toroid for power. Most of the back of the chassis in open, but the bottom is solid. It gets quite warm, but not too hot to touch / hold. There is no fan.
I am currently working on a 70 WPC push pull amp going into a custom case that wasn't designed for rack mounting, but will be rack mounted. It's 4 inches tall. Pictures are in post #86 of this thread.
Tubelab Universal Driver Board, 2015 version
That cabinet puts the output tubes in a separate compartment which is covered by perforated metal top and bottom. The rest of the amp is enclosed.
I would say that a 3 RU chassis with top and bottom ventilation would be fine, just make sure all your transformers and tall tubes will fit inside the chosen box. The box will get quite warm due to heat absorption especially if it is black on the inside.
When mounting the amp inside a rack there should be open space above the output tubes. Rack ventilation is needed if long periods of operation are expected. The rack should have an open back, or some other openings to allow for air entry below the amp, and exit from above.
How did you connect the tube sockets to the board? Is it as simple as soldering wire between the socket pins and the board using wire of a certain gauge of wire?
thx
On an SSE you can just run wires from the sockets to the PC board. Keep them as short as possible to avoid potential hum or oscillation issues.
Some amplifiers that use mosfets or high Gm tubes may oscillate if the tubes are wired remotely, but I have done this with two SSE's and seen no issues.
Some amplifiers that use mosfets or high Gm tubes may oscillate if the tubes are wired remotely, but I have done this with two SSE's and seen no issues.