Valve rattle damper rings - anywhere in UK that sells them?

Philtre

I've got a rattly EL34. Ideally I'd like the damper that Eurotubes sell - http://www.eurotubes.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=147&idcategory=8 - but they want $15 for postage. Anyone know if this kind of thing is sold in the UK? I Googled it but could only find a dodgy Chinese outfit selling what looked like rolled up condoms.

andy1839

I buy mine from here: https://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/diy-componants/857-valve-dampening-rings.html

Philtre

Ah, thanks!

"various sizes available to fit most valves" - Do they do EL34 size in that?

"Not recommended for valves which get hotter than 250c." - is this OK for a EL34?

jpfamps

Or you could buy them from here at about 20% the price:

https://www.polymax.co.uk/o-rings/rubber-silicone-o-rings/

Philtre

Thanks, I'll check that out.

andy1839

Philtre said:

Ah, thanks!

"various sizes available to fit most valves" - Do they do EL34 size in that?

"Not recommended for valves which get hotter than 250c." - is this OK for a EL34?

I've got them in my hifi stuff and guitar amps. Haven't had any issues yet. 

If you mention in the notes what valve it's for they'll send the right sizes. 

Or give the bloke a call and tell him what you're after. 

Ive got two rings on most valves in the combos. 

rico

This would solve my rattly valves  - cheers!

equalsql

I just don't get this at all. You can't compress the glass of a valve, so why would a thick elasticated band make any difference?

sweepy

I used to use an old thick rubber band 

Cabicular

equalsql said:

I just don't get this at all. You can't compress the glass of a valve, so why would a thick elasticated band make any difference?

Presumably it dampens the filimant hitting the glass
Like putting a cloth on a glass would stop it resonating if you hit it with a fork
I'm a bit skeptical myself but I guess thats the theory.

Philtre

In my case, holding the rattling valve gently with a cloth stops the rattle. So I think a thick rubber doodad might work. At least I'm going to try it.

clarkefan

I don't get this either.   If a valve is rattling wouldn’t that mean it's loose in the socket, or that the socket is loose in its mounting?  Or am I totally missing the point here? 

Philtre

It's filament rattle. And, yes, a silcone damper works.

Misty

If it's filament rattle dampers definitely work, but as has already been said, get ones that will definitely take the high temperatures involved. I bought some off eBay once for my EL84s, and I could tell very quickly from the smell that they were overheating. I then got some from the US which are perfect.

ToneControl

Misty said:

If it's filament rattle dampers definitely work, but as has already been said, get ones that will definitely take the high temperatures involved. I bought some off eBay once for my EL84s, and I could tell very quickly from the smell that they were overheating. I then got some from the US which are perfect.

viton is better than silicone, it takes a higher temp
I've used them for years

ToneControl

Philtre said:

It's filament rattle. And, yes, a silcone damper works.

I use to get valves in an amp headsin the room vibrating and rattling when a different amp was being played
I assume it's the resonant frequency of the glass tube or the filament structure - adding dampers around where the metal structure is, and sometimes also a quarter of the way in from the top and bottom does work

Philtre

ToneControl said:

I use to get valves in an amp headsin the room vibrating and rattling when a different amp was being played

I assume it's the resonant frequency of the glass tube or the filament structure - adding dampers around where the metal structure is, and sometimes also a quarter of the way in from the top and bottom does work

That's exactly the case for my rattly valve. Playing C# (fairly loudly) creates the resonance

rico

ToneControl said:

Misty said:

If it's filament rattle dampers definitely work, but as has already been said, get ones that will definitely take the high temperatures involved. I bought some off eBay once for my EL84s, and I could tell very quickly from the smell that they were overheating. I then got some from the US which are perfect.

viton is better than silicone, it takes a higher temp
I've used them for years

Where did you obtain the Viton ones?

Philtre

andy1839 said:

I've got them in my hifi stuff and guitar amps. Haven't had any issues yet. 

If you mention in the notes what valve it's for they'll send the right sizes. 

Or give the bloke a call and tell him what you're after. 

Ive got two rings on most valves in the combos. 

They arrived. I put them on the rattly valve and it no longer rattles. They're silicone and can take the heat.

Result.

Thanks.

ToneControl

rico said:

ToneControl said:

Misty said:

If it's filament rattle dampers definitely work, but as has already been said, get ones that will definitely take the high temperatures involved. I bought some off eBay once for my EL84s, and I could tell very quickly from the smell that they were overheating. I then got some from the US which are perfect.

viton is better than silicone, it takes a higher temp
I've used them for years

Where did you obtain the Viton ones?

I got them from http://www.polymax.co.uk,

viton takes a bit more heat
some output valves run a bit hotter in some amps

fatter rings (more cross sectional area) do a bit more, but are tighter and cost more 

andy1839

Philtre said:

andy1839 said:

I've got them in my hifi stuff and guitar amps. Haven't had any issues yet. 

If you mention in the notes what valve it's for they'll send the right sizes. 

Or give the bloke a call and tell him what you're after. 

Ive got two rings on most valves in the combos. 

They arrived. I put them on the rattly valve and it no longer rattles. They're silicone and can take the heat.

Result.

Thanks.

Great, I'm pleased it's sorted for you mate. 

Andy