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Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: New Filter Caps Install  (Read 1932 times)

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Offline HumBuzzThing

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New Filter Caps Install
« on: April 25, 2018, 02:41:24 pm »
Hi ALL,

I have to replace the LCR filter caps on a JCM 25/50 Model 2554.
I tried to reform the LCR's  but had no luck.
Got some ARS caps on the way...should arrive any day.

My question is, should I form the ARS caps before first power up. Some people say yes, others say  that you don't need to.
I understand the need to reform caps that have sat unused for years, but new, off the shelf, various opinions out there.
Was hoping to get some opinions here.

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Offline shooter

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Re: New Filter Caps Install
« Reply #1 on: April 25, 2018, 08:33:01 pm »
IF..you know how to I won't hurt, I did it once and got bored, the + sign should be the main thing to watch out for
Went Class C for efficiency

Offline John

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Re: New Filter Caps Install
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2018, 12:42:34 pm »
Stuff 'em in. They'll (con)form ;)
Tapping into the inner tube.

Offline HumBuzzThing

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Re: New Filter Caps Install
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2018, 04:17:54 pm »
Hi,
 Thanks for your replies.

When I had tried to reform the LCR filter caps I used a 100K resistor from the rectifier to the first filter cap.
This seems to be a method a lot of people use. For most situations this probably works fine.

In my case the Marshall JCM 25/50 model 2554 has coupling capacitors connected to the plates which are only rated for 400V.
On the Send/Return circuit the coupling caps are only rated for 250V.
Could these caps been exposed to the full B+ voltage(500V)?
Would the plate resistors coming from the B+ drop the voltage enough without the usual load of the circuit?

Normal operation with a load these are OK, obviously, but, with no tubes in, little or no load, and all LCR filter caps at or near 500V for 8 hours before I decided to shut it down.
(Voltage was creeping back up not down when I was measuring across the 100K resistor, so I figured they were leaking).

So if I have to replace the coupling caps so be it. Lesson learned. But I am a little shy on using that method again when forming/reforming unless the caps are rated for a higher voltage.

That's why I was trying to confirm that's its OK to swap the filter cans and power up. Unless I replace all those 400V 250V capacitors to 500V or higher.

Thanks again for your opinions
Cheers.

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Offline shooter

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Re: New Filter Caps Install
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2018, 08:35:22 pm »
Quote
to 500V or higher.
That's the best option for me, I buy 500vdc for all new orders
Went Class C for efficiency

 


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