[ARC5] Cap Test

[J. Forster]

What I usually do is use an external HV PS to bring up old tube gear
before throwing the switch. Here's roughly what I do:

1. Look at the drawing for voltage regulators. This is to be sure nothing
downstream will be overvoltaged if a shunt regulator is not powered.

2. Pull the rectifier tube(s)and apply a variable voltage DC supply
through a string of small light bulbs. The string should be able to take
the full max HV. I use 6W night-light bulbs.

3. With the filaments OFF, slowly crank up the voltage to normal operating
voltage. If a cap is bad, the light bulbs will light.

4. I usually let a unit sit 4 to 8 hours w/ HV applied, w/o filaments.

5. Finally, check for the correct fuse(s), put the rectifier(s) back, and
throw the switch.

Best,

-John

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> On 8 Feb 2011 at 11:55, Robert  Eleazer wrote:
>
>> And moving on now to less philosophical, and one would hope, less
>> controversial realms, I wonder if anyone can recommend a quick and
>> dirty test for electrolytic caps.