[AMRadio] Oil filled capacitors

[rbethman]

I've never had an oil filled capacitor go bad, leak, or blow.

Like Don, I've had electrolytics BLOW.  Those I traced back to STUPIDITY 
   in having mistakenly placed them in the circuit in REVERSE polarity. 
  That has happened TWICE.  Comes from working too long on a project 
without ENOUGH sleep.  I'll never repeat that again.

During my military service, I had a "few" instances of taking large 
transformers covers off to change voltage taps.

Lo and behold, I've now donated tissues to the "Agent Orange" database. 
  These transformers were full of Askerel ([sic] I probably misspelled 
it!).  It was an oil for indoor use that was supposed to be less of a 
fire hazard - LACED with PCBs.

So far so good, no issues, although I was in the oil up to my armpits.

Bob - N0DGN

Rick Brashear wrote:
> Thanks, Don for the information.  I have never personally experienced an
> explosion with an oil filled capacitor and I have never run across a bad
> one.  I have heard both sides of discussion and it's about even.  I am
> inclined to think if I seal the tiny leak to prevent the oil from messing up
> the cabinet I'll be okay.  I'll put them in a wooden box and apply a heavy
> load just to be sure.  I agree with you on the PCB stuff.  I have a shack
> full of it.  I try to keep it off my hands and wash thoroughly after coming
> in contact with it, but I don't let it ruin my day.
> 
> Thanks again to all for your excellent input and fine discussion on this
> matter.  What a great list!
> 
> 73,
> Rick/K5IAR