[Hallicrafters] To restuff capacitors or not?

[David C. Hallam]

This is just my opinion.

The SX-101A is a nice receiver to use and enjoy.  A highly collectable piece
it isn't.  Unless you are opening a museum and plan to use it as a display
piece, I wouldn't worry about using restuffed capacitors.  Put good quality
modern capacitors in it, plug it in, and let it play.

David C. Hallam
KC2JD

-----Original Message-----
From: hallicrafters-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:hallicrafters-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Bill Barfield
Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2005 1:52 PM
To: hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Hallicrafters] To restuff capacitors or not?


If this shows up on the reflector more than once, please excuse. I've had
trouble getting my email to go through.

I recently acquired an SX-101A in beautiful shape. I love the audio on the
unit. I am, however, using it sparingly. I know that I really need to re-cap
the unit, which I will do as soon as I get my workshop back online.

How important is it to use re-stuffed capacitors in the re-capping? Is
having cosmetically accurate capacitors just a nice thing to have? Or will I
destroy the collectability of the unit if I replace the old units with
modern capacitors?

The main reason I am hesitant to have the old units restuffed is that I
don't want to screw anything up. To restuff, I will have to temove the old
caps, send them off for restuffing, and then replace them  I will either
wind up sending them all at once (which greatly increases my chance of
making a mistake in reconnection); or I send them off a couple at a time
(wihch will take forever).

Also, how far do I need to go with re-capping? I will definitely replace the
power supply electrolytics first.  They can do the most expensive damage
when they fail.  Then I will replace the "molded paper" capacitors. What
kind of capacitor is the best replacement for "molded paper"?  My current
plans are to stop re-capping at that point unless I actually ahve one go
bad. I understand that the other types of caps are fairly stable.

Opinions?

Bill Barfield KD4AL
Charlotte, NC
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