vibration and high humidity effects on tubes.

mort · « **on:** 12 Feb 2010, 04:41 pm »

I am a marine electrician, and I live I port townsend Wa. for years I had been installing stereo systems on peoples boats after I had wired them. At one point it occurred to me that I otta become a dealer so I could make some mark up. Like several people at A/C I am not impressed by Mobile/automobile equipment so I have been pushing home audio gear on bigger yachts where enough space is available to create or allow for a good soundstage. My long winded question is regarding tube's I love the idiea of them even on boats but I am concerned with exess vibration and higer humidity levels does any one have any reasons to bolster my concerns or are tubes as resiliant as solid state gear? The thought of an evening enjoying a scotch while watching your
bottels gently glow and listining to your favorite tunes through the warmth of tubes at the end of a long sail just intrigues me.

Niteshade · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 Feb 2010, 05:11 pm »

Sounds like a cool job!

Tubes do not do well under harsh vibrations. Minor ones should be fine, but may cause some microphonics. Perhaps a shock/vibration absorbent base to set/bolt the tube gear on would be a good idea. Humidity: The tube's pins should be coated with something like silicone grease or an electric motor oil (AKA: sewing machine oil.) You do not want the pins or sockets to become corroded. I am not overly concerned about the other electronics. Stay away from carbon resistors and use metal film units internally. If you're using printed circuit type amps, go with something using fiberglass based boards.

mort · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 Feb 2010, 05:17 pm »

Thanks for the advice. Vibration just seems like a bad idea.

rollo · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 Feb 2010, 05:51 pm »

Tubed gear works well with vibration isolation. To date excellent results were achieved with air suspenion of such. Air bladders in a box with plinth [ varnished Spruce] supported by vibration dampers [ Mapleshade Iso Blocks or equal] . Should help big time.
Pro gold contact cleaner and lubricant is a must have in the boat. Periodic cleaning is really all that is needed just more often then at home.

charles

rajacat · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Feb 2010, 06:11 pm »

The Russians used tubes in their Cold War era warplanes because they would be less subject to malfunction when exposed to electromagnetic radiation (?) in event of a nuclear event. I think that jet aircraft do have a certain level of ambient vibration. Some of the vintage Soviet tubes are built extra strong for these conditions.

Perhaps Herbies tube dampers would be an intelligent tweak for the well equipped nautical audiophile

.

I doubt that you would do any critical listening while the engine is running.

-Roy

JakeJ · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Feb 2010, 06:51 pm »

There are some tube types that are ruggedized for just such applications, eh Blair?

And it might be a good idea , if it's not too difficult, to coat the circuit boards with epoxy sealing them from the elements. As a marine electrician you've likely seen this before. I work in a food processing plant and water abounds everywhere. We specifically buy instruments that are moisture proof or resistant and many times the ones that last longest are the ones with electronics sealed with epoxy.

Bottom line is you are certainly a niche vendor doing high-end audio on boats. Next is 7.1 home theater!

BR,
JakeJ

Ericus Rex · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Feb 2010, 08:38 pm »

Great point! My understanding is they still use tubes in their fighter jets. I would think that would be an even more extreme vibrational environment than yachts.

Quote from: rajacat on 12 Feb 2010, 06:11 pm

The Russians used tubes in their Cold War era warplanes because they would be less subject to malfunction when exposed to electromagnetic radiation (?) in event of a nuclear event. I think that jet aircraft do have a certain level of ambient vibration. Some of the vintage Soviet tubes are built extra strong for these conditions.

Perhaps Herbies tube dampers would be an intelligent tweak for the well equipped nautical audiophile .

I doubt that you would do any critical listening while the engine is running.

-Roy

mort · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 Feb 2010, 05:51 pm »

I have done several 5.1 systems, theres typicaly not enough space to warrent 7.1. I garentee that a fighter jet with massive tork pulling several g's is a harsher invironment than any yacht (hydroplanes maby excluded) What exellent advice. Thanks Roy!! you could have just told me when you invite me over to audition your Heath kits.