Did I Screw Up My DRRI?

[jbear]

Well...last night after we played I left my DRRI on standby and put the cover on...forgetting to turn the power off. It was pretty hot in there this morning (it's a heavy custom cover). I played a little bit and didn't notice anything, but...I only played for about 10 minutes.
What are your thoughts?
Thanks all!

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Did I Screw Up My DRRI?

Other than 12 hours less of tube life left I'm pretty sure you're fine.

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Did I Screw Up My DRRI?

Other than 12 hours less of tube life left I'm pretty sure you're fine.

+1

I accidentally left an amp on standby while I was outta town for three days. It's been a few years, an I haven't even had to change the output tubes. Its not a great idea to leave it on that long...but most of the time its not a problem.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Did I Screw Up My DRRI?

It'll be just fine. You didn't even harm the tubes. An amp in standby is just like leaving a radio on all day, as far as it's wear and tear on components.

I have a Gibson Goldtone that has the controls on the lower back panel with no jewel lamp. You can't even tell if it's on by looking at it, unless you see which direction the on/off switch is. I accidentally left it on standby for 2 or 3 months, because it's an amp I don't play regularly. It freaked me out when I discovered it, but the JJ EL-84's were just fine. They were just idling in standby all that time.

 

[jbear]

Re: Did I Screw Up My DRRI?

Good to know...thanks folks. That cover smelled pretty toasty...glad that is the extent of the unpleasantness.

It'll be just fine. You didn't even harm the tubes. An amp in standby is just like leaving a radio on all day, as far as it's wear and tear on components.

I have a Gibson Goldtone that has the controls on the lower back panel with no jewel lamp. You can't even tell if it's on by looking at it, unless you see which direction the on/off switch is. I accidentally left it on standby for 2 or 3 months, because it's an amp I don't play regularly. It freaked me out when I discovered it, but the JJ EL-84's were just fine. They were just idling in standby all that time.

 

[Jolly_Rancher]

Re: Did I Screw Up My DRRI?

Depends on the amp (temp range of caps, heat affecting the PCB, etc), but it should be fine. I think the heat is actually worse for the electrolytic capacitors than the tubes.

Standby only runs the heater voltages to the tubes, so the full B+ voltage isn't even on in standby mode.

 

[glassman]

Re: Did I Screw Up My DRRI?

Your capacitors can withstand higher temperatures than the tolex covering your amp can. If your tolex in melted...worry...if it's not, enjoy and stop worrying!

By the way, the temperature printed on the side of the capacitor is not a failure or maximum temperature, it's the temperature that the capacitor is designed to hold the stated value up to; generally with a tolerance of +0/-20% at that temperature.