PROGRESS REPORT .................... 10-12-2021
The 13 ventilation holes on the right side ( above ) , I added
carefully by hand this week, as an afterthought to enhance long term cooling and reliability. Besides the added ventilation holes we see, the entire Main Chassis surface area acts to cool the internal components when using chassis - mounted ARCOL HS 50 Watt-rated resistors.
This above is the first ( of two ) chassis . It is finished as far as being ready to powder coat, Midnight Blue Wrinkle, with a Pearl glow.
What you see is the prototype, that I keep for myself. It has 23 " non used, non wanted " small holes in it, from changing parts positions to come across the " best " layout
within my capability. The second unit ( now 90 percent prepared for Powder Coating ) is a bit " cleaner" looking - with 23 less non-essential holes . There will be an attractive and strong six inch handle at the very top-front of the chassis, and a matching four inch handle at the left side-top rear.
The bottom cover, held onto the Main Chassis by six 8-32 brass bolts, will have multiple brass washers, between the bottom cover and the Main Chassis. These brass washers will have varying O.D.s or outer diameters, such that they form a
pyramid shape when secured. These six pyramids, and four soft "EAR " brand made-for-audio feet, form a " Isolation Platform " of the 14 gauge steel bottom cover, between the Main Chassis and the amp's resting surface. The pyramids allow for some
all-around-the -bottom ventilation, and provide a benefit S.Q.-wise, and from vibration control, that the EAR feet used
alone will
not produce. This idea is
copied directly from Serious Stereo's wonderful SET amplifiers, by me. I only build amps in a steel chassis, not wood, for fire-safety reasons, plus 14 gauge steel sounds good VS aluminum IMHO.
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Both chassis should be ready for the Powder Coating shop, by the end of this week.
Thank you for looking.
Jeff