thermal paste

[JGM1970]

what type of thermal past can be used the main heatsinks for say the power chips, I have built computers and used a silver based thermal paste, would that work on my amp heatsinks also?

 

[mr_RBG]

You need something non conductive, not sure about your silver.

 

[JGM1970]

ok, just think about putting a modern thermal paste with better heat transfer in my Yamaha a-27, plus add a fan for more air flow,

 

[EchoWars]

I have built computers and used a silver based thermal paste, would that work on my amp heatsinks also?

No!

http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?x=14&y=17&lang=en&site=us&KeyWords=345-1007-ND

 

[JGM1970]

so a silicon based thermal paste, I figured I'd ask before doing it,

 

[sssmokin99]

so a silicon based thermal paste, I figured I'd ask before doing it,

the product that EW mentions is an excellent silicone compound. Wakefield also sells a NON silicone thermal joint compound (type 126). They both are great products. You should keep in mind that there is technically a "shelf life" on this stuff, and it isnt real cheap.

 

[JGM1970]

non conductive thermal paste is what I am wanting, shelf life means it dries out?

 

[sssmokin99]

non conductive thermal paste is what I am wanting, shelf life means it dries out?

Ive never had any set around long enough to go bad, but I suspect that it separates and gets runny. Either silicone or non silicone is fine and Wakefield is the best IMHO. I probably needlessly complicated this discussion, LOL

I think the thing to remember is just dont use the stuff you would use in building a computer. Thats where people usually screw this up....

sorry! :thmbsp:

 

[JGM1970]

I would rather have too much info then not enough, I went too far on a computer once, I built a thermo electric cooler for my processor, on the bench it cooled down to -3 degrees f, not so well on the chip, just trying to apply the "if it runs cooler, it will last longer thought pattern"

 

[sssmokin99]

I would rather have too much info then not enough, I went too far on a computer once, I built a thermo electric cooler for my processor, on the bench it cooled down to -3 degrees f, not so well on the chip, just trying to apply the "if it runs cooler, it will last longer thought pattern"

Well I am with you on that. Trivia: it was an engineer from Wakefield that gave me a paper he had written (this was when I was about 15) which, in passing, noted that for every 10 degrees C a semiconductor junction temp could be lowered, its useful life would be doubled. I think I still have that paper somewhere in my files, but it fueled my interest and eventual academic work toward electrical engineering !