Vintage Synth Repair

--- gil_we <gil_we@...> wrote:

> Would it be safe to replace all the tantalum caps in
> my OBXa with 
> regular electrolytic caps (as long as their of the
> same specs of 
> course) ?...
> 

It would be "safe" for the limited purpose that there
would be no physical danger caused. Tantylum
capacitors are a special form of electrolytic
capacitors that are specified more closely in terms of
percentage tolerance, and particularly in considerably
reduced leakage current. If the particular circuit
requires very low leakage, the electrolytic capacitor
will not work properly even when first installed. They
were also developed as a premium capacitor with longer
mean time before failure (MTBF) for use in circuits
where early failure prevention was more important than
the incremental higher price for the capacitor (for
example - a space satellite where field repair is
ultra expensive, or a jet fighter where failure could
result in loss of life).

Briefly, standard electrolytics as a replacement for
tantylum would not be recommended (of course, in this
modern world of fast obsolencence and unobtainable
parts, at some time it may be the only thing
obtainable).

Jim Cason
Electronic & computer tech 42 years