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Author Topic: Electrolytic Capacitors  (Read 770 times)

KC1OMA

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Electrolytic Capacitors
« on: June 01, 2022, 09:07:47 AM »

I am an older op with a new call sign here, and have found myself with several older  pieces of gear that need power supply caps. I recapped one Hammarlund with the Hayseed  kit, and while it works well, I have to say I am not a fan of the shinny polished finish and smooth construction method. I have decided I am going to recap my other gear with axial electrolytic's mounted under the chassis. I am however having trouble finding them at the usual sources such as Mouser and Digikey. It seems they are either out of stock or discontinued. Even the most expensive options offered by those companies seem to be drying up in availability. Anyone else notice this? Temporary or market trend?
Alternative ideas on sources appreciated.

73
Grant
KC1OMA
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KG4RUL

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Re: Electrolytic Capacitors
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2022, 09:29:37 AM »

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WA5VGO

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Re: Electrolytic Capacitors
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2022, 10:52:56 AM »

Axial capacitors are becoming obsolete. There is simply very little demand for them anymore. The selection is dwindling and prices are rising. I expect they’ll become completely unavailable in the next few years.

Darrell
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KD0REQ

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Re: Electrolytic Capacitors
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2022, 10:53:31 AM »

strongly suspect it's the COVID/supply chain/hoarding thing. you can always go to a higher working voltage, and under use the cap will dissolve internally to the voltage of application.
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KB7TT

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Re: Electrolytic Capacitors
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2022, 11:08:18 AM »

Try Just Radios in Canada..... Has axials up to 600V ships quick and gets here to Oregon in 4 days.... Superr huy to work with.
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KC1OMA

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Re: Electrolytic Capacitors
« Reply #5 on: June 02, 2022, 05:31:54 AM »

Thanks for the alternate source ideas. I will check them out.  I don't like hearing they are becoming obsolete.

Thought of stuffing recycled cans with radials, but don't see how I can fit what I need.


Grant
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W3SLK

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Re: Electrolytic Capacitors
« Reply #6 on: June 02, 2022, 06:08:39 AM »

My local parts jobber, (I love that title!), told me that his father, (who he inherited the business from), always said that electrolytics were +80%/-20% tolerance. It might be worth bearing that in mind.
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W4OP

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Re: Electrolytic Capacitors
« Reply #7 on: June 02, 2022, 04:52:27 PM »

I regularly restuff the  electrolytic cans and have never had an issue getting the caps inside the can- and usually higher capacitance and WVDC than the originals.
When done right it  is about impossible to tell they have been updated so I put a small round label on the top of the can.
Dale W4OP
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K2FW

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Re: Electrolytic Capacitors
« Reply #8 on: June 07, 2022, 04:53:36 PM »

If you restuff the can, are you able to use the original tabs on the can?

Thanks!
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K1KIM

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Re: Electrolytic Capacitors
« Reply #9 on: June 07, 2022, 05:10:49 PM »

Defending on what radios you have, there are numerous re-capping kits on Ebay etc.

Check that source out.
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K2FW

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Re: Electrolytic Capacitors
« Reply #10 on: June 09, 2022, 05:53:02 AM »

Defending on what radios you have, there are numerous re-capping kits on Ebay etc.

Check that source out.
OK, Thanks!
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KC1OMA

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Re: Electrolytic Capacitors
« Reply #11 on: June 10, 2022, 09:21:09 AM »

I regularly restuff the  electrolytic cans and have never had an issue getting the caps inside the can- and usually higher capacitance and WVDC than the originals.
When done right it  is about impossible to tell they have been updated so I put a small round label on the top of the can.
Dale W4OP

I had hoped to do just as you describe, but after looking at what I had on hand for axials (or radials), I realized I couldn't come close to fitting them into a 4 section can for a Hammarlund.
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KE0ZU

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Re: Electrolytic Capacitors
« Reply #12 on: June 10, 2022, 06:57:56 PM »

Another alternative is to use current style caps mounted on a piece of  Vector type (perf) board.   Here is an example of what I often do to replace multi-section caps.   

The cost of this approach is FAR less than traditional Big Box suppliers, or niche market suppliers, and the caps can be arranged so that the original wiring, in more or less the original orientation can be achieved.

Obviously this is a blatant mix of multi-era technologies, but it is a practical solution.





« Last Edit: June 10, 2022, 07:02:16 PM by KE0ZU »
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W9GB

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Re: Electrolytic Capacitors
« Reply #13 on: June 11, 2022, 10:48:20 AM »

Quote from: WA5VGO
Axial capacitors are becoming obsolete. There is simply very little demand for them anymore. The selection is dwindling and prices are rising. I expect they’ll become completely unavailable in the next few years.
Doubt that. 
Axial electrolytic capacitors are still in demand for inverter designs.
IF you believe in Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing, the demand will increase for High Voltage (HV) electrolytic capacitors.
https://www.cde.com/capacitors/aluminum-electrolytic/axial-leaded/

Sprague dominated the Axial Electrolytic market segment until 1990s, when bankruptcy led to their legacy product lines to be split among multiple companies (Vishay, CDE, Kemet, etc.).
https://www.vishay.com/docs/42036/39d.pdf

In 1992 Vishay acquired the Sprague tantalum capacitors product line, and eventually the Atom and PowerLytic products/brand names.

https://www.vishay.com/capacitors/aluminum/aluminum-axial/

Cornell-Dubilier Electronics (CDE) bought Illinois Capacitor (iC) in 2015 specifically for their Axial Capacitor product lines.  This was to address growing demand for the Axial form-factors, especially at high voltages, by designers.
https://www.cde.com/news/2015/2/cornell-dubilier-marketing-inc-has-acquired-illinois-capacitor-inc
« Last Edit: June 11, 2022, 11:03:27 AM by W9GB »
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K3UIM

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Re: Electrolytic Capacitors
« Reply #14 on: June 11, 2022, 01:56:25 PM »

Great job, Mike!!! Kudos!
Charlie
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Charlie. K3UIM
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Where I am: You will be!
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