[Boatanchors] Electrolytic Reforming Time

[J. Forster]

I increase the voltage slowly monitoring the reforming current. You should
keep the current low to (a) Limit local damage w/in the cap (b) prevent
the whole cap from overheating, and (c) allow fluids to redistribute.

For an old capacitor several days is not unreasonable.

-John

===============


> I just exchanged emails with a ham intending to spend up to two weeks
> bring
> a Heathkit Sixer up on a Variac.  Seems excessive to me.
>
> I generally bump the Variac 10 volts per hour, starting at about 60 volts
> so
> the rectifier generates B+.  Haven't had any issues that I can tell.
>
> When I put an old electrolytic on my Sprague TO-5 and bring it up to full
> voltage, it only takes a few minutes for the current to drop to a
> near-zero
> level (on a good cap, anyway).  I figure that's when the can is reformed,
> and anything beyond that is wasted - but I go an hour at each level on the
> rig I'm bringing back just for some added margin.
>
> I'm certain opinions about this will range across the board, but I wonder
> if
> anyone has any feedback based on documented studies?
>
> 73,
> Jeff
> W8KZW
>
>
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