[Milsurplus] Bathtub Capacitors

[Glen Zook]

Until fairly recently, I had seen relatively few bathtub capacitors go bad.  However, in the past 3 or 4 years, the percentage is increasing rapidly.  Therefore, just like all other paper capacitors, I routinely replace the bathtubs.  It appears that around 65-years is the average life-span of bathtub capacitors.  However, I don't think that the original manufacturers ever expected them to last this long!
 
Glen, K9STH


Website:  http://k9sth.com


________________________________
 From: Bruce Gentry <ka2ivy at verizon.net>
To: Milsurplus at mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 3:18 PM
Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] Bathtub Capacitors
 
The cans are almost always tinned steel. The oil may be chlorinated, but 
usually not for these small size ones unless they are marked. I have 
never seen any difference in failures between fully isolated and 
grounded condensers. Failures of the bathtub style condensors is quite 
rare, and the few I have seen was simply leakage, no dead shorts. Some 
of these bathtub types are electrolytic, they lose capacatance and 
usually don't re-form, I gut the case and put a moderrn one inside.  

   Bruce Gentry, KA2IVY

J. Forster wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Does anybody know:
>
> What are the cans of WW II bathtub capacitors made of? Brass or Steel?
>
> What is the plating? Tin? Zinc? ??
>
> What kind of oil was used to fill them? Mineral? Something chlorinated?
>
> Is there an increased failure rate on caps with one side electrically tied
> to the case v. those with both terminals of the cap floating?
>
> Thanks,
>
> -John
>
> ====================
>
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