[R-390] AGC voltage issue

[Charles Steinmetz]

David wrote:

>Self-heal events (characteristic of metallized film) are harmless in 
>C551, the AGC Time Constant cap.

While the radio is operating normally, that may be so (although C551 
can end up with >200v across it with strong signals, as you noted in 
your AGC article, and my tests indicate that a metallized film cap of 
any voltage rating has self-healing events above 200v).  But during 
the startup condition I described in my message, C551 may have >400v 
across it for some seconds every time you turn on the radio, 
positively ensuring that there will be self-heal events.

If your point is that self-heal events at this location would not 
matter even if they occurred, I disagree.  Any self-healing current 
would flow through the grid of V506A.  Cumulative occurrences would 
damage V506's cathode.

Best regards,

Charles