Does smaller getter flash mean less hours?
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As a matter of fact, the size of the actual flash component is usually smaller than the end of your thumb, and sometimes even just as small as the USB plug itself. The shape and size of the drive itself is merely a design factor, not a technical one, and has no impact on capacity. Also, if you are encountering issues with getting it to work, you should check out this USB flash drive article that describes how to fix a non working drive.
ferninando
Lunatic Member
were not talking about PC storage devices. were talking about the silver inside of tubes when theyextract the gas.
SoundsGood69
Active Member
!!!!!!!!!!!
Arkay
Lunatic Member
I started reading this and went... :headscrat ... Oh, I get it! Computer "flash drives"!
I think this was a "generation gap" moment. Like when I told a young kid I liked to listen to vinyl records and he said, "Oh, you mean those huge, pizza-sized CD things? I saw one of those, once!" He was referring to a Laserdisc, and was proud that he had seen such antiquated technology. He'd never even seen a BLACK vinyl disk, and hadn't a clue, when I started explaining what they were!
Getter flash: scroll down and read "H" here: http://www.vacuumtubes.net/How_Vacuum_Tubes_Work.htm
In fact, you might want to read the whole page.
33&athird
Turn on & Tune in
I had no idea what "Getter flash" was...I had seen it, but always kind of just called it "that chrome stuff on a tube", man...I thought I was doing well in the vintage stuff, still have alot to learn. Thanks for the link:yes:, it is somewhat difficult to find pages that have alot of information, without alot of needless stuff. I'm just getting started in tubes, which in all honesty are more antiquated than vinyl. Shame more people don't remember vinyl except for "those large cds"...then again, I grew up with vinyl (mothers collection), so what do I know.That being said, I don't think the size of the "getter flash" matters, since it only picks up stray oxygen, in very little amounts. The only difference would be the look of the tube itself.
I have a tube that has a graphite-looking layer on the inside, I wonder if that layer serves the same function.:scratch2:
jaymanaa
RIP 1961-2018
Getter flash receding can be an "indicator", but nothing more. Many tubes that were "critical application" in the day, had red lines on them that when the getter receded past, the tube was changed out. I may have one here someplace.:scratch2: Ah, I do, here ya go. The red label says " DANGER- When glass shows clear imediately above labels edge REPLACE TUBE".
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goldear
Certifiable Audio Junkie
A getter flash that has clearly receeded often does indicate a tube with a lot of hours on it. I've mostly observed this effect on power tubes, and occasionally on driver tubes that were run really hard. I don't recall having observed much difference in the flash on small signal tubes in other applications.
Coytee
Super Member
I thought getter flash was...how to say this... sort of like a 'burn mark' on the inside of the tube.
Meaning, I thought all tubes, during the process of being manufactured were "flashed" and the byproduct of this residue (smoke, if I may) was deposited somewhere. Sometimes on the top of the tube, sometimes on the side.
As a deposit, in a vacume no less, I would have expected it to stay put much like soot in a chimney.
Are you tube experts saying that getter flash is "dynamic" in that, it is consumed or deteoriated over time such that it ...how to say 'evaporates'??
I guess I'll ask more point blank... is getter flash a residue from the process of being manufactured or is it a deposit that is to be depleted away as the tube accrues hours?
:scratch2:
Meaning, I thought all tubes, during the process of being manufactured were "flashed" and the byproduct of this residue (smoke, if I may) was deposited somewhere. Sometimes on the top of the tube, sometimes on the side.
As a deposit, in a vacume no less, I would have expected it to stay put much like soot in a chimney.
Are you tube experts saying that getter flash is "dynamic" in that, it is consumed or deteoriated over time such that it ...how to say 'evaporates'??
I guess I'll ask more point blank... is getter flash a residue from the process of being manufactured or is it a deposit that is to be depleted away as the tube accrues hours?
:scratch2:
Ohighway
Wannabe Minimalist
jaymanaa
RIP 1961-2018
The 7591 is probably the best example out there of how gettering fades away. I think it probably has something to do with the "special" plate material that tube uses. Either the coating, or the metal itself was supposed to conduct heat in a way that eliminated hot spots, thus allowing the tube to be run "harder" than most comparable power tubes.
FalconEddy
Audio Mastering Engineer
Ain't THAT the truth! (well at least on vintage 7591/7591A's)
A lot of new production 7591's probably won't last long enough to have a substantially noticeable gettering change.
. . Falcon
Some tubes simply had smoked glass. I have a few RCAs with that mostly-opaque graphite-colored glass.
33&athird
Turn on & Tune in
Makes alot of sense, though I think you are right about it being carbon, since graphite would be conductive, I was just trying to think of a way to describe the color. "Rogue electrons", great term, there, its a miracle tubes work nearly as well as they do.
Renslipevol
Active Member
Anyone seen this? I just love these old tube videos. What a time. How did they come up with this technology??!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV7cimRWah0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCksgN7kiv4
Material on the getter is vaporized onto the top of the tube to exhaust it of air and whatever else isn't supposed to be in there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV7cimRWah0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCksgN7kiv4
Material on the getter is vaporized onto the top of the tube to exhaust it of air and whatever else isn't supposed to be in there.
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