[Boatanchors] Lets try a different capacitor question.

[Gerry Steffens]

I asked this one a couple of years ago and didn't get any response.

I have a number of old radios that have the wet electrolytic filter caps
that don't short out but do tend to dry out.

Most of these are old E.H. Scott radios and I want both the originality and
the use.  I have redone a couple, re-stuffing the old paper caps as
necessary with good success. I have also gathered enough of the electrolyte
to re-fill the three caps on one radio.  It works perfectly, and has
continued to do so since I completed it in 1972, complete with the little
bubbling from the three vent holes on the top of each unit (this is a daily
user).

The question is: What is the electrolyte?  I would like to make some, buy
some or whatever if possible.

Several collectors I know have gathered enough electrolyte to do one radio.
The captured electrolyte can be injected into the caps with a hypodermic
needle.  I have one radio redone and one original 1937 Scott Allwave 23
which has all three original caps with adequate electrolyte to function,
untouched since manufacture (really unusual).

For those that are not acquainted, the caps are merely a hollow cylinder
with a fanned out center electrode that is usually fan shaped like those
fold-up Japanese decorative fans, supported in a rubber seal at the bottom.
There is nothing to short out but as the electrolyte dries out, the caps
simply lose capacitance and hum develops.

Anyway, several acquaintances are looking for the answer and I have bragged
you folks up something fierce.  Any thoughts that don't involve our sanity?

Cheers,

Gerry