[R-390] Capacitor tester...

[chacuff]

Hi John and group...

John I'm a firm believer in using a cap analyzer in tube radio work.  The 
cap really needs to be tested at its rated voltage for leakage current.  I 
have been using the Sencore products for years.  The LC-53, LC-73 and 
currently the LC-102.  They work great.  A bit pricey at times but if you 
wait and watch you can usually pick one up priced right.

It can be as simple as using a megar type device with the crank on the side. 
Works for fishing too if you don't get caught...:-)

The important part is to check the caps at rated voltage.  I can't say I 
have ever found a Black Beauty or Brown Beauty that tested good....all had 
excessive leakage.  As a result I usually do a mass paper cap replacement 
but that is a personal thing.  Many only replace a few in the radio in key 
spots like the DC blocking cap that can cook your Mechanical filters in the 
"A" models and let the rest of the rock on...

Be sure to check out the Pearls of Wisdom documents and the nicely done 
Y2KR390 manual....(may have that name wrong)  Both are must have 
resources....

Good luck and drop questions on us anytime...someone will always know the 
answer!

Cecil Acuff
K5DL
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Saxon" <johnbsaxon at yahoo.com>
To: <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 6:05 PM
Subject: [R-390] Capacitor tester...


>I recently came into a 390 and 3 390As (I must be living right!).  I am not 
>an experienced restorer, and I am looking forward to becoming one :-)
>
> Question:  I have been working on equipping my workbench and I don't have 
> a capacitor tester.  Do I want one?
>
> I have a multimeter that measures capacitance, but I don't think it 
> sufficient for testing old caps, especially electrolytics...am I correct?
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Many thanks & 73,
> John
> K5ENQ
> ______________________________________________________________
> R-390 mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:R-390 at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html