[ARC5] Starting work on BC-453B

[J. Forster]

david.l.jackson@exgate.tek.com wrote:

> John:
>
> Because we have some new people on the list, it might make sense to go over
> the procedure to reform the capacitors.  I've done it before with good
> results.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dave Jackson

Re-forming is a process used to recondition capacitors after long periods of
storage.  It mainly applies to electrolytics, but has some application to
leakages in other types.

The process is simple. You just apply a much reduced voltage (perhaps 5 to 10 %
of the rated voltage) to the cap from a high impedance source and watch the
current. It will decay with time (this is not the RC time constant). When the
current has stabilized, up the voltage another 5 to 10% and watch the current
again. Keep doing this until the rated voltage s reached, or the capacitor
fails.

I have used this procedure with sets that have been stored since WW II and they
work just fine, WITH ALL ORIGINAL CAPS.

YMMV,

-John