Amp tube life

AdamBilz · #1 10-09-2003, 01:15 PM

Just a question, do tubes in amps wear out only when you are using them, or do they wear out even if the amp's off and just sitting there for months? Thanks!

bammbamm · #2 10-09-2003, 01:20 PM

Wear is directly proportional to usage.

BAmm

Al M · #3 10-11-2003, 05:18 PM

They're kinda like light bulbs in that respect, the more you use em the quicker they go 'pop'

microdmitry · #4 10-11-2003, 06:09 PM

If the amp is off the tubes don't deteriorate. If it's off for years capacitors in the power supply may go titsup. So even if you don't play the amp, you should turn it on every month for about half an hour.

AdamBilz · #5 10-13-2003, 05:41 PM

Thanks for the info! You guys rock.
~Adam

Mandrak · #6 10-13-2003, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by microdmitry

If the amp is off the tubes don't deteriorate. If it's off for years capacitors in the power supply may go titsup. So even if you don't play the amp, you should turn it on every month for about half an hour.

It´s valid for power-amps?

In this case, should I leave it in standby
for 1/2 an hour?

microdmitry · #7 10-13-2003, 10:18 PM

This is valid even for solid-state amps which have electrolytic capacitors in their power supply. Leaving it on standby doesn't help because not all capacitors have voltage applied to them.

"Once a month" may be too aggressive, but since I don't have any experimental data on hand that would be a safe bet. BTW, electrolytics deteriorating due to being unused is a well known thing. That's one of the reasons why some boutique amp manufacturers don't use them and use film caps instead (despite the cost). Mass produced amps all use electrolytics though.

Mandrak · #8 10-14-2003, 12:55 AM

Living and learning...

Thanks!

Mick90 · #9 10-14-2003, 04:52 AM

Hi,

I read somewhere that the ambiant conditions may affect the life time of the tubes, even if they stay off for years...
For example, if you amp is stocked in a garage, where the temperatures or humidity can change a lot.

I don't know if this is real or not...

microdmitry · #10 10-16-2003, 03:46 PM

The tubes are plugged into sockets, and the sockets (and pins) may oxidize. Other than that they can easily outlive their owner if not used. They're just a few pieces of metal in the vacuum. Nothing can possibly happen to them if there's no thermionic emission going on (if they're not "hot" in other words).