[sdiy] Multi-section cap in old tube gear

[Roy J. Tellason]

On Tuesday 17 February 2009 10:12:45 pm Dave Manley wrote:
> Roy J. Tellason wrote:
> > On Tuesday 17 February 2009 10:21:08 am rdrake wrote:
> >> a friend of mine picked up a WOBBULATOR (lucky schmuck:
> >> http://electro-music.com/forum/post-209234.html).  there's a lot of hum
> >> and he's suspecting a multisection cap marked as follows:
> >>
> >> sprauge
> >> 40-450 dc
> >> 30-450 (square symbol)
> >> 10-450 (triangle symbol)
> >> 20-25
> >> can com. neg
> >> d13771              125
> >
> > It can stay,  for cosmetic reasons,  or it can be removed,  if
> > you want,  either way that doesn't matter much.
>
> Re cosmetics: If the cap is large enough, and you can't find an exact
> replacement, some people have been known to 'gut' the old cap and put
> multiple modern caps as replacements (often physically smaller) inside
> the old can.  If done carefully, the product looks the same, before and
> after. Make sure to insulate the leads internally to avoid short
> circuits!  I'd do some careful testing with an ohmmeter before turning
> on the power.  :-)

I've heard of that being done,  particularly in the case of antique radios,  
where the appearance is more important to some folks.  Regarding insulating 
the leads,  it's easy enough to stuff the negative ends in first.

And as far as testing before applying power,  some of us learned on equipment 
like that.  :-)

I haven't touched any for a really long time,  probably 15-20 years,  but I 
doubt that I'd make much of a mistake.


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