At 10:42 PM 10/24/2007 -0000, kerryhoop wrote:
> Another newbie question I'm afraid but could anyone please tell
>me what the normal life expectancy is for electrolytic capacitors as
>I have seen some panasonic ones stated to be 2000 hours. Is this
>longer or shorter than usual?
I manage and co-own an arcade that operates games going back to 1977, so
I've got some experience with component life. :)
We have to cap (replace the capacitors in) our monitors every 3 or 4 years.
The games operate around 5000 hours per year, so figure 15k-20k hours of
life for that application. I'd guess some of our capacitors could have
over 100,000 hours on them, but those are in less demanding circuits.
Vector games (Tempest, Star Wars, Asteroids, etc.) tend to go through caps
faster, but they have more heat & higher AC currents. Those are your two
biggest enemies with electrolytics. I take that back - being manufactured
in China or Taiwan w/ inferior electrolytic formulations is THE biggest
enemy. ;)
My guess is the 2000 hour rating is for the maximum voltage, current, &
temperature ratings. The datasheet should say something about this.
Jeffrey
PS Thanks for reminding me - it's time for our yearly capping party!
Nothing quite like an afternoon of pizza, solder, and dusty monitor pcbs.
:)