[ARC5] Aging Electrolytics

[Glen Zook via ARC5]

Unfortunately, paper capacitors are much more likely to get even more leaky when run, eventually basically going short circuit, before the moisture is driven out.   Glen, K9STH

Website: http://k9sth.net
      From: AKLDGUY . <neilb0627 at gmail.com>
 To: ARC-5 List <arc5 at mailman.qth.net> 
 Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2015 12:56 PM
 Subject: Re: [ARC5] Aging Electrolytics
   
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.