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.
Can a Microwave run continously?
- Thread starter Chetlaham
- Start date
Help Support :
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.
Attachments
Last edited:
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.
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.
