I wonder how long I can run my stereo rig...
-- Dave
-- Dave
Can a Microwave run continously?
- Thread starter Chetlaham
- Start date
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Yes, I have paper shredders that need a break, too...
Naturally auto-drip coffee makers have to have an auto-shutoff, they can easily become fire hazards, torching property...
As for my stereo, I do a lot of listening, so I depend on it and all the components (though my cassette tape deck is so finicky, I should abandon that format) that the time needs to be regulated and not sit idle... Keeping the light bulbs working is a plus as well...
-- Dave
Naturally auto-drip coffee makers have to have an auto-shutoff, they can easily become fire hazards, torching property...
As for my stereo, I do a lot of listening, so I depend on it and all the components (though my cassette tape deck is so finicky, I should abandon that format) that the time needs to be regulated and not sit idle... Keeping the light bulbs working is a plus as well...
-- Dave
phillymatt53
Well-known member
I've got a Sharp Carousel microwave, 800 watt model since 2003.
Never any issues with it, and I've set it many times to run for perhaps 12 minutes on "high" for a large baked potato.
Never any issues with it, and I've set it many times to run for perhaps 12 minutes on "high" for a large baked potato.
phillymatt53
Well-known member
If it's in good operating condition, and not cranked up loud.... it'll be fine for days and days.
Besides, home stereos are not made to be cranked to the max.
Just because it can go to max, a moron will find out that fact.
I'm very easy with the volume... (though it's cool to for the neighbors to hear me listening to Steely Dan, though on "Everything You Did" they said to "turn up The Eagles, the neighbors are listening")
It has two speakers and I know I'm better off running it through the speakers than deafening myself with headphones...
Of which the wires never stretched out far enough for me and got worn and frayed and tangled up against themselves...
-- Dave
I've been into high end audio since I was a kid, I've had full separates (amp, pre-amp, etc.) since I was 16, well over 40 years ago.
I belong to several audio related forums. Most of the people who believe in nonsense like wires sounding different, gold audio fuses, etc. also believe that a system won't sound it's best until it's warmed up, so they leave them on 24/7, 365 days a year. Doesn't seem to matter.
Even my computer has a 60 watt per channel Rotel power amp, speakers, and subwoofer. Computer is on anytime I'm awake, so that amp is on at least 15-17 hours a day. And I forget to turn it off quite often. I bought it used in 2005, and it's still working as new. Been using it for this purpose for 5 years or so, before that it ran the kitchen speakers.
I think you can leave it on as long as you want. As far as loud volume, that won't effect the electronics at all (assuming proper ventilation). But if you hear distortion, you are risking damaging the speakers, especially tweeters.
phillymatt53
Well-known member
All good there Dave...
But that thing about the neighbors asking to "turn it up" is stupid on their part.
Let them buy their own stereo and do that, why risk yours?
A microwave oven should be able to run at full power continuously
phillymatt53
Well-known member
About the "forgetting to turn the amp off".....
I implimented a control system with my home computer that controls anything that is used with my computer is switched on or off with my computer's power.
It's relatively simple....
Using the computer's 12 volt DC power from it's power supply, it controls a 12 volt DC DPST relay which then jumps the power switch on a multiple outlet strip.
I mounted a 12VDC power jack on one of the blank card strips on the back to make it easy to disconnect for any PC servicing.
In my case, that's a multi-AC outlet surge protector, but any suitable terminal strip would work, as long as there's sufficient room inside it for the relay, so the 12V line can be run from the computer.
A touch of the computer's power button, the desk lamp, monitor, printer, sound system, all come to life.
And as a benefit, it saves electricity, and increases the life of anything connected that has a "standby" supply when plugged in.
phillymatt53
Well-known member
True, as long as the internal cooling fan isn't gummed up with dust/grease.
The life of the magnatron depends on that fan.
The amp actually has 12v remote turn on capability, like most power amps, so all I would need is a connector. It also has "signal sense" automatic turn on, but at low volumes, it sometimes shuts off, so I don't use it.
The printer has auto on/off. It needs to be in standby so it can print from the computer, wife's laptop, or cell phones, without going into the office to turn it on. Very convenient. All computers use stand by power, or they wouldn't turn on with the switch. It's just a momentary switch.
My comp setup is a little different than most, gratuitous pics to show it off.
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kb0nes
Well-known member
Most modern electronics that are in good condition and operated as intended can simply run and run. In some cases continuous running will actually extend life over power cycling as startups can be stressful. Of course with many products that tend to have low duty cycles, it makes little sense to design in the ability to run continuously as it just adds cost.
We have an old Pioneer SX-650 stereo receiver in our shop that was found on the curb of a local clean up day 25 years ago. It has been running 4 (or 6) speakers 10 hours a day 6 days a week for the past 25 years. With the exception of dial light bulbs which have since been replaced with LED's, every part of the receiver is factory original. Fifteen years ago, I figured perhaps it would be prudent to recap the unit. We all fall for the capacitor plague mantra the great Internet wisdom feeds us... I ordered all new electrolytic capacitors and they remain in a bag on top the unit, the originals are still hauling the mail.
It is a pretty common misconception that heat kills electronics. While it does accelerate aging of some components, solid state power electronics are pretty tough. I have one 120 watt RF amplifier I maintain that is rated for continuous duty. Due to an initial manufacturing defect where the output transistors weren't thermally coupled to the heat sink properly, those transistors ran so hot that they UNSOLDERED themselves from the PCB!! This happened twice before the true problem was corrected. That amp was new in the late 90's and it is still running today, with those two original abused transistors still in place and working fine. That is about 200,000 hours now that the amp has been energized 24/7/365.
One radio amplifier company I have dealt with has a great slogan on their amps, they say they will run continuously "From now until you run out of electricity"
We have an old Pioneer SX-650 stereo receiver in our shop that was found on the curb of a local clean up day 25 years ago. It has been running 4 (or 6) speakers 10 hours a day 6 days a week for the past 25 years. With the exception of dial light bulbs which have since been replaced with LED's, every part of the receiver is factory original. Fifteen years ago, I figured perhaps it would be prudent to recap the unit. We all fall for the capacitor plague mantra the great Internet wisdom feeds us... I ordered all new electrolytic capacitors and they remain in a bag on top the unit, the originals are still hauling the mail.
It is a pretty common misconception that heat kills electronics. While it does accelerate aging of some components, solid state power electronics are pretty tough. I have one 120 watt RF amplifier I maintain that is rated for continuous duty. Due to an initial manufacturing defect where the output transistors weren't thermally coupled to the heat sink properly, those transistors ran so hot that they UNSOLDERED themselves from the PCB!! This happened twice before the true problem was corrected. That amp was new in the late 90's and it is still running today, with those two original abused transistors still in place and working fine. That is about 200,000 hours now that the amp has been energized 24/7/365.
One radio amplifier company I have dealt with has a great slogan on their amps, they say they will run continuously "From now until you run out of electricity"
phillymatt53
Well-known member
I assume that you did the usual checks of power supply voltage readings, and the bias levels of the output transistors in order to maintain proper operation and reliability.
kb0nes
Well-known member
I wasn't here when the unit was put into service initially. Only thing I have ever checked is measuring the ripple voltage on the supply rails about 15 years ago.
Honestly at this point if it blows up it will go to the recycling. It is a bit silly to not be running a more efficient Class D amp in this sort of application today.
phillymatt53
Well-known member
Ah, I see you've been bitten by the digital age stuff, as many have.
While it is true that class D is more "efficient", it's also more prone to failures.
But class D is the heavily pushed and "trendy" way (forced upon) marketed to the masses.
I, as a servicer with decades of experience in audio and video have not been impressed, due to many failures and complaints from customers.
I'll stick with the time-tested and reliable class A/B equipment from the era of American or Japanese manufacture.
Like this website about major appliances and their modern use of digital controls that fail, some things just shouldn't be relied upon to last.
