[Amps] re cooling of coils

[Will Matney]

Really, the cooling of the tank circuit can be done numerous ways. 
However, amateur equipment manufacturers look at the cost. They want to 
build an amp that they can get the most out of with the less innards. 
Actually, just sizing the conductors to a large enough value is all 
thats needed in most cases. The manufacturers try to get buy with the 
least sizes over one thing. cost. Just like Alpha offering a fan for an 
option. Why not put the fan in as standard if it's needed? The sodium 
idea was good for transferring heat to the mass of the head on the 
valves like was mentioned The molten sodium would flow due to the 
differences in temperatures. Sodium becomes liquid has a low melting 
point, but higher than what water boils at. Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) will 
boil with water at 180 degrees when the saturation is mixed correctly 
and is used to blue steel. It has been used in other industrial 
applications, including cooling. A refrigerant could be pumped through a 
coil to do this too, with a heat exchanger on the other end with a 
compressor. Even water could be pumped through one or the coil be 
immersed in oil. I think Hal mentioned the vacuum cleaner hose to route 
an air flow onto a coil. If it wasn't Hal forgive me, my mind is short 
as other things sometimes. When amps are designed, an experienced 
designer takes all this into consideration or should. Some doesn't and 
is seen in the final products.

Generally, fan cooled amps have better tank cooling than do blower 
cooled amps. In my opinion, a fan should be used with a blower to cool 
one correctly. Not only does tank components need cooling, the large HV 
electrolytic capacitors do too. Heat is the #1 killer of these. 
Transformers benefit from an air flow across their coil. Really, any 
part subject to heat will benefit. What's the price of one fan compared 
to maybe X2 the life span of the amp? But, if the amp wouldn't wear out, 
they wouldn't be able to sell more after a while.

Will Matney