i heard that reforming capacitors require more time than just seconds to reform them, especially large values. form CHATGPT: Reforming electrolytic capacitors can take time, especially for larger capacitors or those that have been unused for an extended period. It's recommended to allow several hours or even days for the reforming process to complete, depending on the capacitor's condition.
I made an automatic reformer unit using 2 timers 4 relays and a 600VDC power supply. It will start at 200V and then switch to 400VDC after 2 hours and finally switches to 600VDC after another 2 hours.
Reforming is a myth for noobs. You are not going to restore dried out electrolytic material. Once they dry up...its over. They build pressure from the off gassing and will burst either through a preplaced "weep" area.
Agreed. I made this portable reformer for individual caps th-cam.com/video/fUDB7oavJkg/w-d-xo.html but I would like to see what they use for the entire drive.
Thanks Al for that info. I'm aware of slowly bringing new capacitors up to operating voltage and hence current flow. I just replaced my electrolytic filter capacitors with exact uF and 20V additional power specs. in my transistor stereo power amp. What is a good voltage and time interval increase for forming my new caps with the amp plugged into my AC variable voltage power supply? Also, as the caps form and charge up, I'm guessing I will begin to hear a white noise signal coming through the speakers (increasingly). Is this correct? Thanks so much. PH
RIDICULOUS. I'VE REPLACED 10'S OF THOUSANDS OF CAPACITORS IN HIGH VOLTAGE TUBE GEAR AND NEVER HAD A NEW CAP EXPLODE...UNLESS ITS WIRED BACKWARDS BY ACCIDENT. THE ONLY TIME I "REFORM" A CAP IS BRINGING UP A LONG DORMANT DEVICE SLOWLY ON A VARIAC. BUT THATS FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE OLD CAPS GET REPLACED ANYWAY.
I guess u are using your high voltage caps in a flyback PSU, what is a completely different animal. Please look up Capacitors in VFD "Variable Frequency Drive" and DC-Link-capacitors. BTW: No need for shouty caps, my dear.
@@mistersunny3636 This is audio electronics...Im not a commercial hvac guy working on blower motors...or dealing with power conversion on demand etc. The only time a cap explodes...is if its factory defective. Or some moron wired it backwards. An existing cap in vintage gear always does the same thing. Its inactive for years. The cap electrolytic gases out its moisture. Gases burst weep hole in cap or possibly split it open. The cap then grows a "mushroom". lol. Then they short. Usually the ripple is so obvious...people know better than to run them until they actually short. Its 50/50. Typical scenario is...guy finds old tube amp or stereo...etc. Guy fires it up to see if it works. It either blows a fuse...hums loudly...or works. If it works...it will be for a short time only. Then it will hum...and blow fuses. Worst thing for a cap is inactivity. Some morons talk about "reforming" caps in vintage gear. Sorry...you are not magically going to restore the dried electrolytic that is leaking outside the cap in a corrosive mushroom. I have a barrel of old caps from take outs....just my daily work...that is so heavy...I actually cant move it at this point. Its an issue...and I have to figure out where do get rid of them safely. Batteries with no memory....lol.
i heard that reforming capacitors require more time than just seconds to reform them, especially large values. form CHATGPT:
Reforming electrolytic capacitors can take time, especially for larger capacitors or those that have been unused for an extended period. It's recommended to allow several hours or even days for the reforming process to complete, depending on the capacitor's condition.
This is great! Passed it on to my colleagues.
I made an automatic reformer unit using 2 timers 4 relays and a 600VDC power supply. It will start at 200V and then switch to 400VDC after 2 hours and finally switches to 600VDC after another 2 hours.
Reforming is a myth for noobs. You are not going to restore dried out electrolytic material. Once they dry up...its over. They build pressure from the off gassing and will burst either through a preplaced "weep" area.
Can I reform several capacitors together by connecting multiple capacitors in parallel?
Great Information Thanks.
THANKS . PLEASE MAKE A DEMONSTRATION OF ACTUAL FORMING CAPACITOR IN VFD ,
Agreed. I made this portable reformer for individual caps th-cam.com/video/fUDB7oavJkg/w-d-xo.html but I would like to see what they use for the entire drive.
Good informative video
What is vintage capacitors?
Very informative! Subscribed.
Try to get a copy of MepcoElectra apnote on lyric cap
You will get better picture.
Thanks Al for that info. I'm aware of slowly bringing new capacitors up to operating voltage and hence current flow. I just replaced my electrolytic filter capacitors with exact uF and 20V additional power specs. in my transistor stereo power amp. What is a good voltage and time interval increase for forming my new caps with the amp plugged into my AC variable voltage power supply? Also, as the caps form and charge up, I'm guessing I will begin to hear a white noise signal coming through the speakers (increasingly). Is this correct?
Thanks so much.
PH
RIDICULOUS. I'VE REPLACED 10'S OF THOUSANDS OF CAPACITORS IN HIGH VOLTAGE TUBE GEAR AND NEVER HAD A NEW CAP EXPLODE...UNLESS ITS WIRED BACKWARDS BY ACCIDENT. THE ONLY TIME I "REFORM" A CAP IS BRINGING UP A LONG DORMANT DEVICE SLOWLY ON A VARIAC. BUT THATS FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE OLD CAPS GET REPLACED ANYWAY.
I guess u are using your high voltage caps in a flyback PSU, what is a completely different animal. Please look up Capacitors in VFD "Variable Frequency Drive" and DC-Link-capacitors.
BTW: No need for shouty caps, my dear.
@@mistersunny3636 MAYBE IM VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND ITS THE ONLY WAY I CAN READ WHAT I TYPE.......
@@mistersunny3636 This is audio electronics...Im not a commercial hvac guy working on blower motors...or dealing with power conversion on demand etc. The only time a cap explodes...is if its factory defective. Or some moron wired it backwards. An existing cap in vintage gear always does the same thing. Its inactive for years. The cap electrolytic gases out its moisture. Gases burst weep hole in cap or possibly split it open. The cap then grows a "mushroom". lol. Then they short. Usually the ripple is so obvious...people know better than to run them until they actually short. Its 50/50. Typical scenario is...guy finds old tube amp or stereo...etc. Guy fires it up to see if it works. It either blows a fuse...hums loudly...or works. If it works...it will be for a short time only. Then it will hum...and blow fuses. Worst thing for a cap is inactivity. Some morons talk about "reforming" caps in vintage gear. Sorry...you are not magically going to restore the dried electrolytic that is leaking outside the cap in a corrosive mushroom. I have a barrel of old caps from take outs....just my daily work...that is so heavy...I actually cant move it at this point. Its an issue...and I have to figure out where do get rid of them safely. Batteries with no memory....lol.
Wow that souds to me like cheap Chinese caps!