[Hallicrafters] To restuff capacitors or not?

[Kim Herron]

Hi Bill, et. al
>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?

         In my mind Bill, that's only relevant if you going to enter a 
contest, or show the thing where it going to detract from the value of the 
item.
I restuff caps on antique CAR radios, because the judge's will inspect the 
unit and subtract points for "improper restoration"


>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).

         Put the new caps in it and forget about it.


>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.

         Just one techs opinion here.  There "AIN'T" no good caps in there 
if they aren't dipped silver micas or ceramics, and even some of those can 
be suspect.  I don't even keep old electrolytics around.  That's anything 
older that 5 to 6 years.  Paper is the same way.  I do not want to have to 
fix a radio
under warranty because I was to stupid or lazy to change out a paper or 
electrolytic cap that looked to be good and may have even tested that 
way.  I've been burned and I'm not going there again.
         Nomex flame suit is on, zipped and fire extinguisher at the ready!!!


Thanks!!

Kim Herron  W8ZV
1-616-677-3706
Outgoing mail scanned for virus and worms
with McAfee Virus Scan