[ARC5] Aging Electrolytics

[AKLDGUY .]

As Brian VK2GCE says, electrolytics should be run at close to their working
voltage. If you run them at much less in an attempt to stress them less,
they
never reach their rated capacitance. A good rule of thumb is that they
should
not be run at less than two-thirds of the rated voltage.

Paper capacitors seem to devlop leakage due to retained moisture. Running
the equipment for some considerable time may allow the warmth from tubes
to drive out that moisture. I'm not talking about a few hours. I mean
regular
use over a period of several months.

73 de Neil ZL1ANM


On Sun, Feb 1, 2015 at 2:08 AM, Brian <brianclarke01 at optusnet.com.au> wrote:

> Hello Wayne,
>
> Electrolytic capacitors last longest when operated close to their rated
> working Voltage. When operated a much lower than their rated working
> Voltage, you run the risk of the coating on the electrodes becoming
> depolarised and losing capacity.
>
> Tantalum capacitors last longest when operated at much lower than their
> rated working Voltage.
>
> 73 de Brian, VK2GCE.
>
>