[sdiy] Making a NP electrolytic out of two Polarized caps?

[R. D. Davis]

Quothe harrybissell, from writings of Sun, Oct 12, 2003 at 11:31:57PM -0400:
> Just for y'all information
> 
> The thing to watch out for in making your own "bipolar" electrolytics
> is RIPPLE CURRENT.  Commercially available units are actually
> rated for ripple current, if you are using them in AC applications
> (which is why you need a bipolar in the first place)...

Good point!  Of course, one can find ripple-curruent ratings for
polarized electrolytics as well.  Of course... that's not often the
case for most of the electrolytic caps that many of us keep in our
spare parts inventories.  

> So if you are doing dinky synth-diy circuits you are probably OK...
> (since power is low) but if you were doing (let's say) speaker crossover
> capacitors .. you damn well better check the ripple current. They will
> get hot and can explode.  I've done it myself a few times (but no more)...

That's not usually a good thing.  Of course...  that would be one
creative way for someone to ignite a flash-pot (are those still legal
to build out of black powder?) during a performance. :-)

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