[Boatanchors] How to recap bathtub capacitors?

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

Sven,

My rule of thumb regarding recapping is the same regardless of whether the 
capacitors are canned or in individual plastic packages.  If it's bad, change 
it.  If it isn't, don't with one exception.  If the same type and value 
capacitor is used many places in the set and roughly 30% test bad, I quit testing and 
change all of them.

So if the canned capacitors don't fall under the exception above and if the 
can shows no sign of actual oil leakage I personally wouldn't touch it.

For handling the oil question, I don't know of any reliable way to determine 
in advance whether the oil is PCB bearing or not.  So I have an overhead fan 
above the work area and  floor fan sitting behind me blowing out of the shop.  
If the capacitor has been physically removed from the radio (there are a few 
types and radios where you can get away without doing that) I use a drill press 
vise in a plastic pan to hold the capacitor.  And wear disposable gloves.  
And as Rick said a large iron with a 1" diameter tip.  After the cover is 
removed and the can cools enough, pour out the remaining oil, invert the can in the 
vise and let it drain for a few more minutes, and then wipe out the can with 
paper towel.

Then rebuild it.  And of course, no effort to fill the rebuilt can with oil.

Robert Downs - Houston
<http://www.wa5cab.com> (Web Store)
MVPA 9480
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