HI all,

Electrolytics of all values tend to fall under suspicion when any
vintage piece of equipment develops a fault. I'm just seeking a bit of
clarification on a couple of points:

1) Axial electros are getting really hard to find new and even my old
spares bin doesn't have that many to choose from. I find increasingly
there's no option but to replace axials with radials. This results in
longer lead lengths than one would like, however. Is that likely to be
a problem generally speaking (ignoring the issue of whether they can
be accommodated on a board 'expecting' axials).

2) Unused old caps ("NOS" stock). Is there any reason why one
shouldn't use NOS electros for repairs? Assuming they can be reformed
and pass muster with an ESR meter, of course?

Yes, I know ideally you'd want to use brand new caps, but with so many
cheap Chinese fakes around, I'm wondering if I'd be better off using
NOS caps from unquestionably high-end manufacturers. Even Mouser's
supply chain got infected with these a while ago!

On 2024/07/23 9:34 a.m., Cursitor Doom wrote:
> HI all,
>
> Electrolytics of all values tend to fall under suspicion when any
> vintage piece of equipment develops a fault. I'm just seeking a bit of
> clarification on a couple of points:
>
> 1) Axial electros are getting really hard to find new and even my old
> spares bin doesn't have that many to choose from. I find increasingly
> there's no option but to replace axials with radials. This results in
> longer lead lengths than one would like, however. Is that likely to be
> a problem generally speaking (ignoring the issue of whether they can
> be accommodated on a board 'expecting' axials).
>
> 2) Unused old caps ("NOS" stock). Is there any reason why one
> shouldn't use NOS electros for repairs? Assuming they can be reformed
> and pass muster with an ESR meter, of course?
>
> Yes, I know ideally you'd want to use brand new caps, but with so many
> cheap Chinese fakes around, I'm wondering if I'd be better off using
> NOS caps from unquestionably high-end manufacturers. Even Mouser's
> supply chain got infected with these a while ago!

You want to check out https://www.justradios.com/

A reliable supplier of radial and axial lead caps for tube equipment!

John :-#)#
--
(Please post followups or tech inquiries to the USENET newsgroup)
John's Jukes Ltd.
#7 - 3979 Marine Way, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5E3
(604)872-5757 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com
"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."

On Wed, 24 Jul 2024 13:03:51 -0700, John Robertson <jrr@flippers.com>
wrote:

>On 2024/07/23 9:34 a.m., Cursitor Doom wrote:
>> HI all,
>>
>> Electrolytics of all values tend to fall under suspicion when any
>> vintage piece of equipment develops a fault. I'm just seeking a bit of
>> clarification on a couple of points:
>>
>> 1) Axial electros are getting really hard to find new and even my old
>> spares bin doesn't have that many to choose from. I find increasingly
>> there's no option but to replace axials with radials. This results in
>> longer lead lengths than one would like, however. Is that likely to be
>> a problem generally speaking (ignoring the issue of whether they can
>> be accommodated on a board 'expecting' axials).
>>
>> 2) Unused old caps ("NOS" stock). Is there any reason why one
>> shouldn't use NOS electros for repairs? Assuming they can be reformed
>> and pass muster with an ESR meter, of course?
>>
>> Yes, I know ideally you'd want to use brand new caps, but with so many
>> cheap Chinese fakes around, I'm wondering if I'd be better off using
>> NOS caps from unquestionably high-end manufacturers. Even Mouser's
>> supply chain got infected with these a while ago!
>
>You want to check out https://www.justradios.com/
>
>A reliable supplier of radial and axial lead caps for tube equipment!
>
>John :-#)#

They have some interesting parts and appear to offer a very good
service, but I'd still be concerned about them sourcing - albeit
without knowing - some dodgy Chinese crap. As I said, if it can happen
to Mouser....

On Tue, 23 Jul 2024 17:34:45 +0100, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com>
wrote:

>HI all,
>
>Electrolytics of all values tend to fall under suspicion when any
>vintage piece of equipment develops a fault. I'm just seeking a bit of
>clarification on a couple of points:
>
>1) Axial electros are getting really hard to find new and even my old
>spares bin doesn't have that many to choose from. I find increasingly
>there's no option but to replace axials with radials. This results in
>longer lead lengths than one would like, however. Is that likely to be
>a problem generally speaking (ignoring the issue of whether they can
>be accommodated on a board 'expecting' axials).
>
>2) Unused old caps ("NOS" stock). Is there any reason why one
>shouldn't use NOS electros for repairs? Assuming they can be reformed
>and pass muster with an ESR meter, of course?
>
>Yes, I know ideally you'd want to use brand new caps, but with so many
>cheap Chinese fakes around, I'm wondering if I'd be better off using
>NOS caps from unquestionably high-end manufacturers. Even Mouser's
>supply chain got infected with these a while ago!

NOS electrolytics should be re-formed before re-use.

This is a standard requirement for parts approaching end of
shelf-life.

RL

On 2024/07/24 4:30 p.m., Cursitor Doom wrote:
> On Wed, 24 Jul 2024 13:03:51 -0700, John Robertson <jrr@flippers.com>
> wrote:
>
>> On 2024/07/23 9:34 a.m., Cursitor Doom wrote:
>>> HI all,
>>>
>>> Electrolytics of all values tend to fall under suspicion when any
>>> vintage piece of equipment develops a fault. I'm just seeking a bit of
>>> clarification on a couple of points:
>>>
>>> 1) Axial electros are getting really hard to find new and even my old
>>> spares bin doesn't have that many to choose from. I find increasingly
>>> there's no option but to replace axials with radials. This results in
>>> longer lead lengths than one would like, however. Is that likely to be
>>> a problem generally speaking (ignoring the issue of whether they can
>>> be accommodated on a board 'expecting' axials).
>>>
>>> 2) Unused old caps ("NOS" stock). Is there any reason why one
>>> shouldn't use NOS electros for repairs? Assuming they can be reformed
>>> and pass muster with an ESR meter, of course?
>>>
>>> Yes, I know ideally you'd want to use brand new caps, but with so many
>>> cheap Chinese fakes around, I'm wondering if I'd be better off using
>>> NOS caps from unquestionably high-end manufacturers. Even Mouser's
>>> supply chain got infected with these a while ago!
>>
>> You want to check out https://www.justradios.com/
>>
>> A reliable supplier of radial and axial lead caps for tube equipment!
>>
>> John :-#)#
>
> They have some interesting parts and appear to offer a very good
> service, but I'd still be concerned about them sourcing - albeit
> without knowing - some dodgy Chinese crap. As I said, if it can happen
> to Mouser....

Counterfeit parts exist. Hard to avoid being burned once in a while.
Better to deal with a real Brick & Mortar business than buying on Amazon
where companies last as long as it takes them to clear out their junk...

Just Radios has provided us with caps for years and I can't think of any
failed examples that were correctly installed. I am certain that if
something they sold was not up to spec that they would replace it. What
more can you ask for?

John :-#)#

--
(Please post followups or tech inquiries to the USENET newsgroup)
John's Jukes Ltd.
#7 - 3979 Marine Way, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5E3
(604)872-5757 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com
"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."

On Thu, 25 Jul 2024 08:09:19 -0400, legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:

>On Tue, 23 Jul 2024 17:34:45 +0100, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com>
>wrote:
>
>>HI all,
>>
>>Electrolytics of all values tend to fall under suspicion when any
>>vintage piece of equipment develops a fault. I'm just seeking a bit of
>>clarification on a couple of points:
>>
>>1) Axial electros are getting really hard to find new and even my old
>>spares bin doesn't have that many to choose from. I find increasingly
>>there's no option but to replace axials with radials. This results in
>>longer lead lengths than one would like, however. Is that likely to be
>>a problem generally speaking (ignoring the issue of whether they can
>>be accommodated on a board 'expecting' axials).
>>
>>2) Unused old caps ("NOS" stock). Is there any reason why one
>>shouldn't use NOS electros for repairs? Assuming they can be reformed
>>and pass muster with an ESR meter, of course?
>>
>>Yes, I know ideally you'd want to use brand new caps, but with so many
>>cheap Chinese fakes around, I'm wondering if I'd be better off using
>>NOS caps from unquestionably high-end manufacturers. Even Mouser's
>>supply chain got infected with these a while ago!
>
>NOS electrolytics should be re-formed before re-use.
>
>This is a standard requirement for parts approaching end of
>shelf-life.
>
>RL

Indeed, yes. Unfortunately nowadays I find myself forgetting to
discharge them again before fitting! That had disastrous consquences
recently with a Uher Stereo Report I was attempting to get back into
service. :(

On 2024-07-23 12:34, Cursitor Doom wrote:
> HI all,
>
> Electrolytics of all values tend to fall under suspicion when any
> vintage piece of equipment develops a fault. I'm just seeking a bit of
> clarification on a couple of points:
>
> 1) Axial electros are getting really hard to find new and even my old
> spares bin doesn't have that many to choose from. I find increasingly
> there's no option but to replace axials with radials. This results in
> longer lead lengths than one would like, however. Is that likely to be
> a problem generally speaking (ignoring the issue of whether they can
> be accommodated on a board 'expecting' axials).

A good axial can have remarkably low ESL, down to 5 nH per inch or so,
compared with 20 nH/inch for wire. In boat anchors, you almost
certainly don't care as much as in modern SMPS-powered boxes.
>
> 2) Unused old caps ("NOS" stock). Is there any reason why one
> shouldn't use NOS electros for repairs? Assuming they can be reformed
> and pass muster with an ESR meter, of course?
>
> Yes, I know ideally you'd want to use brand new caps, but with so many
> cheap Chinese fakes around, I'm wondering if I'd be better off using
> NOS caps from unquestionably high-end manufacturers. Even Mouser's
> supply chain got infected with these a while ago!
>

Good caps last basically forever at room temperature.

Cheers

Phil Hobbs

--
Dr Philip C D Hobbs
Principal Consultant
ElectroOptical Innovations LLC / Hobbs ElectroOptics
Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics
Briarcliff Manor NY 10510

http://electrooptical.net
http://hobbs-eo.com