workshops

[Harry Bissell]

If you can identify the manufacturer, get their recommendation on "reforming"
the electrolytics... It involves applying a DC voltage at some lower value and
holding it for a time, then slowly increasing the voltage. You have to measure
the leakage current while you do this... This is a standard practice for large,
expensive (esp high voltage) electrolytics... It's probably not worth your
effort unless you do a bunch at once.

In low voltage circuits you would probably be OK if the applied voltage is much
less than the rated voltage. It is seldom that you actually blow one up in a
low voltage circuit. Some list-mates may not agree with this...  :^) Harry

Rory McDonald wrote:

>         [Rory McDonald]  you wrote:
> > It takes a
> > certain amount of knowledge to know what parts are
> > salvageable and what isn't. I would almost NEVER reuse
> > electolytic capacitors, for example. And the age of the
> > electronics also determines what is salvageable. Switches
> > and pots can usually be salvaged, but you have to be
> > careful as they can be dirty/defective and may require
> > cleaning, or just may not be repairable. You can also run
> > into some very strange problems caused by using an old part
> > that is flaky.
> >
>         [Rory McDonald]  I got a bunch of electrolytic caps along with some
> transistors etc on ebay when I bought some chips for Apple equipment.  The
> caps and transistors are unused old stock, probably from around 1983.  I am
> wondering if the caps are still useful, or should I avoid them.  They look
> to be in good shape, but I dont know electrically if it is a good idea to
> use them.  Anyone?