Silly tech noob Q

[Ronito6]

Mica insulators of the size and type I need are getting hard to find.

So I bought some of these http://www.jaycar.com.au/Electromechanical-Components/Heatsinks-&-Accessories/Thermal-Compounds-&-Adhesives/TO-3-Silicon-Rubber-Transistor-Insulator---Pk-20/p/HP1150

I know they are supposed to be used without grease, but kind of makes me nervous. After all, the original solution mica+paste served well enough for the 35 years the output transistors I am re-seating.

YET...Gotta say....I am tired of wrestling the heat grease beast though.

Thanks for all opinions in advance!
Ron

 

[markn2wae]

Mica insulators of the size and type I need are getting hard to find.

So I bought some of these http://www.jaycar.com.au/Electromechanical-Components/Heatsinks-&-Accessories/Thermal-Compounds-&-Adhesives/TO-3-Silicon-Rubber-Transistor-Insulator---Pk-20/p/HP1150

I know they are supposed to be used without grease, but kind of makes me nervous. After all, the original solution mica+paste served well enough for the 35 years the output transistors I am re-seating.

YET...Gotta say....I am tired of wrestling the heat grease beast though.

Thanks for all opinions in advance!
Ron

Yes, they are less messy, but they may not work as well at the "old standby" of mica and the grease.

If you are dealing with high Voltages, or high Wattage output stages, they MAY not be sufficient, but they are always making "making a better mousetrap" and improving these "newer" parts.

Mark T.

 

[Ronito6]

Thanks Mark.

I suppose I'll order the mica insulators I want online then and patiently await their arrival.

 

[rothwellaudio]

Those "new" insulators have been the standard for quite a few years now and have been used in millions of pieces of electronics all round the world. I doubt there's any need to be nervous about their performance.

 

[TerryS]

Sil Pads don't conduct the heat away as well as mica with grease. This means that the transistors will run a bit hotter when using sil pads than when using mica with grease. Here is a short discussion (section 7)
http://sound.westhost.com/heatsinks.htm

Terry