Do you "have to" burn in power capacitors

[TerryD]

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?

[kagliostro]

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

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

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

Kagliostro

[HotBluePlates]

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.

[LooseChange]

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.

[TerryD]

Thanks all!