Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: TerryD on December 20, 2011, 02:13:12 pm

Title: Do you "have to" burn in power capacitors
Post by: TerryD on December 20, 2011, 02:13:12 pm

I have to recap my Sprague atom caps after only ...I think.. about 14 years.  Last time I did it, I made a homemade variac with an in line light bulb/lamp before the amp...I think?

Do you have to do this???  Alternatives??  What "should" I do?

Title: Re: Do you "have to" burn in power capacitors
Post by: kagliostro on December 20, 2011, 02:21:19 pm

The use of a lamp limiter is a precaution against errors

and is better to use it, read here

http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=12885.0 (http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=12885.0)

---

maybe you remember something about reform electrolytic, but that is one other matter

http://www.vmars.org.uk/capacitor_reforming.htm (http://www.vmars.org.uk/capacitor_reforming.htm)

Kagliostro

Title: Re: Do you "have to" burn in power capacitors
Post by: HotBluePlates on December 20, 2011, 04:41:23 pm

As said, the lightbulb limiter is mostly about catching a wiring error.

I've never burned in caps in a new build. I've only used Gerald Weber's variac suggestion once with a cap replacement, and it conferred no benefit so I never did it again.

Title: Re: Do you "have to" burn in power capacitors
Post by: LooseChange on December 20, 2011, 05:30:39 pm

I always use the limiter on first start up... I'll usually let it run for about 5 minutes checking all the voltages. Then it's full power and never going back.

Title: Re: Do you "have to" burn in power capacitors
Post by: TerryD on December 21, 2011, 11:24:52 am

Thanks all!