[ARC5] Reforming capacitors????

[Mike Feher]

Ken -

I am of the same opinion as you are. I believe what John is doing is heating
the capacitor by utilizing its leakage resistance to the point where some of
the moisture causing the leakage evaporates or essentially slowly boils out.
Then, raising the voltage, he gets the remaining moisture causing the
leakage. If this method indeed works, then I would think placing the
capacitor in an oven set at a low temperature would accomplish the same
thing. Unfortunately I also believe that at the same time that the moisture
slowly seeped in over the years so did other contaminants. I believe the
majority of the leakage is probably due to the other contaminants which will
be almost impossible to remove, hence the leakage is there to stay. One
thing for sure, if the applied voltage ever causes the dielectric to
carbonize it is all over. 73 - Mike



Mike B. Feher, N4FS
89 Arnold Blvd.
Howell NJ, 07731
(732) 901-9193


----- Original Message -----
From: "Kenneth G. Gordon" <keng@moscow.com>
To: <jfor@quik.com>; <arc5@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 04, 2003 7:49 PM
Subject: Re: [ARC5] Reforming capacitors????


> > IMO, the capacitors will work just fine if you re-form them carefully
before
> > powering the unit.
> >
> > -John
>
> Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought one could only reform
> ELECTROLYTIC capacitors. Only two of the caps in the ARC-5
> receivers are electrolytic: most of the rest are paper, with a few odd
> mica here and there.  I was not aware one could reform paper or
> mica caps.
>
> Ken Gordon W7EKB