[Boatanchors] Electrolytic Reforming Time

[Glen Zook]

If you plan on just having the radio sit on a shelf, not operated, then keeping it original is fine.  However, if you plan on using it at all, then I STRONGLY suggest replacing the electrolytics, paper capacitors, etc., because you are just sitting on a "time bomb".  When one, or more, of those components "go" there is a VERY good chance that they will take something else along with them.  Usually, what they damage is either expensive or unobtanium!

If you really want the original "look", then "gut" the original component and put a new one inside.  That way, the unit will still look original but also be safe to operate.

Depending on if I just want the unit to operate, or, if it is a real antique/vintage that I want to enter in contests, etc., I do both.

Here are some examples of the later:

http://k9sth.com/uploads/antique_radios.pdf


Somehow, when I did the PDF a blank page got inserted in the middle of the file.  Someday I'll get around to correcting that!
 
Glen, K9STH


Website:  http://k9sth.com


________________________________
 From: J. Forster <jfor at quikus.com>
To: Geoff <geoffrey at jeremy.mv.com> 
Cc: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net; W8KZW <w8kzw at arrl.net> 
Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 8:49 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Electrolytic Reforming Time
 
It depends on your philosophy of getting old radios working. Mine is to
keep old radios originasl.

To me a recapped radio is of no interest or value.

-John

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



> Just replace all electrolytics as dried out electrolytes will not
> magically
> repair themselves.
> Reforming is pure folly as a complete failure will happen but you cant
> predict it.
>
> Carl
> KM1H
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "J. Forster" <jfor at quikus.com>
> To: "W8KZW" <w8kzw at arrl.net>
> Cc: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 5:36 PM
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Electrolytic Reforming Time
>
>
>>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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