i am a bad person.....(question for pappa)

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kloppsta

kloppsta

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bless me father for i have sinned.....i have not used my VH4 for 2 months :-(

i am not currently playing in a band and i have been super busy at work so the time i do get to play is usually just through my small practice combo. i am ashamed to say that i have not turned on my VH4 in too long! i guess what i am wondering is how do tube amps react to not being used for long periods and then being used again and put in storage for a few more months etc etc. should i at least be turning it on and just letting it run for a few minutes once a week?

thanks, and im sorry :( i Promise i will try and get back into a band so i can turn her on and let her breathe!! :)
 
it's best to play it and not let its sit for years and let the power supply capacitors dry out. maybe playing it once a month for 20 minutes will help this.

scott
 
thanks for the tip Scott....ill make sure she gets run more often :)

Im sorry Pappa, i am not worthy :( but i will make it right! ...... off to crank the beast!!
 
From my experience it is not a big deal to store a tube amp for longer periods of time. Last year I dug out a 100W tube amp from storage after 6-7 years. When you turn it on again the first time, it is best from my experience to put the amp on STANDBY and leave it there for 24 hours (don't turn it on RUN). If you can not continuously leave it on for 24 hours, leave it on for 8-12 hours at a time on STANDBY and do this 2 times.

What happens here is the tubes are being "pre-heated" and thereby prepared for regular use. The "getter" therby restores the vacuum inside the tube.

A getter is a deposit of reactive material that is deliberately placed inside a vacuum system, for the purpose of completing and maintaining the vacuum. When gas molecules strike the getter material, they combine with it chemically or by adsorption. Thus the getter removes small amounts of gas from the evacuated space.

In my opinion, absolutely crucial thing to do. This will preserve the power tubes' life and can prevent damage to the power amp section.

Even if you use your amp on a regular basis, it is good to do this procedure every 2 months or so to prolong tube life.

Jens Kruse
 
excellent advice :) thank you! btw, i have been cranking my VH4 every day since my last post :)
 
Wow, I've left my Einstein on over night before and was wondering if that was bad. . . .But I guess it's a good 'Oooops'
Thanks Uncle Jens, I will be looking to get a new set of tubes (pre and power) for a 100 watt Einstein. I'll send a PM.
I'm wondering what a complete set would cost.
 
Diezel US Support":1p5wlyx2 said:
From my experience it is not a big deal to store a tube amp for longer periods of time. Last year I dug out a 100W tube amp from storage after 6-7 years. When you turn it on again the first time, it is best from my experience to put the amp on STANDBY and leave it there for 24 hours (don't turn it on RUN). If you can not continuously leave it on for 24 hours, leave it on for 8-12 hours at a time on STANDBY and do this 2 times.

What happens here is the tubes are being "pre-heated" and thereby prepared for regular use. The "getter" therby restores the vacuum inside the tube.

A getter is a deposit of reactive material that is deliberately placed inside a vacuum system, for the purpose of completing and maintaining the vacuum. When gas molecules strike the getter material, they combine with it chemically or by adsorption. Thus the getter removes small amounts of gas from the evacuated space.

In my opinion, absolutely crucial thing to do. This will preserve the power tubes' life and can prevent damage to the power amp section.

Even if you use your amp on a regular basis, it is good to do this procedure every 2 months or so to prolong tube life.

Jens Kruse
Click to expand...
Jens,

Thanks for the great info.

I've heard about this idea before with amps that have sat unplayed for long periods, but not for amps you regularly use. Can you tell me why it's needed/helpful for an amp you play several times a week?

Thanks for the help.

Bill
 
Jens,

Thanks for the great info.

I've heard about this idea before with amps that have sat unplayed for long periods, but not for amps you regularly use. Can you tell me why it's needed/helpful for an amp you play several times a week?

Thanks for the help.

Bill
Click to expand...

Hi Bill, sorry for the late reply. I missed to "subscribe" to this post.

To address your question why to "getter" an amp (leaving it on STANDBY for about 12 hours) that is played regularly: The vacuum inside the tube is fully restored during this procedure and lets the tube operate in an "ideal" state. While it is not a MUST I would advice to do it to "prolong" tube life and keep the tubes sounding fresh as long as possible. I had a discussion about this last year with my dad who is a retired electrical engineer and was educated in the 50s when tube technology was "it". He is a true expert on this subject and advises and educates me.

Jens Kruse
 
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