Can tubes (for audio) be mounted horizontally?

the dude · 2701

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Offline the dude

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on: July 29, 2015, 02:23:44 PM
I have an enclosure which is compact and lends itself to my Quickie setup.
It would require the tubes to be laying down on their sides..
What say the vetters?
 :)

Maker of fine true ribbon loudspeakers and modifier of everything. . .

Offline Grainger49

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Reply #1 on: July 29, 2015, 02:27:13 PM
Yes.  VTL used that mount often.


Offline Doc B.

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Reply #2 on: July 29, 2015, 02:34:13 PM
I found an old article that specs a 3S4 for use in a radio control airplane receiver, that is mounted sideways. Makes me think it should be fine.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
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Offline mcandmar

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Reply #3 on: July 29, 2015, 02:42:37 PM
I guess microphonics isn't an issue for airplane receivers :)

M.McCandless

Offline aragorn723

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Reply #4 on: July 29, 2015, 02:52:44 PM
This isn't an audio application, but I used a tube capacitor checker my Dad has, and it had a horizontally mounted tube that fell out a lot.  The kit is pretty old, so maybe the socket is just worn out.  Plus, the tube was on the larger side..  I'm thinking 3s4s are probably ok with decent quality sockets.

Dave


Offline Doc B.

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Reply #5 on: July 29, 2015, 02:54:06 PM
The potential issue is of the filament sagging and shorting against a grid. But the 3S4 was designed for portable work where it would get bashed around a bit, so it's probably reasonably rugged.
« Last Edit: July 30, 2015, 06:32:10 AM by Doc B. »

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
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Offline the dude

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Reply #6 on: July 30, 2015, 05:41:09 AM
Many Thanks! I will start a thread with pictures soon... :D

Maker of fine true ribbon loudspeakers and modifier of everything. . .

Offline Chris Muth

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Reply #7 on: November 15, 2015, 02:45:47 AM
Adding to what the good Doctor says, one can check the Radiotron manual about tube mounting. There usually is a blurb when you have to watch out. Some DH power triodes or rectifiers can have filament sag and lightning possibilities if not mounted vertically. Sometimes, these power tubes can be mounted horizontally with the plates facing vertically so the filaments don't sag into the grids (pow!)

Check with your friendly tube manual! :D


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