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Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: Can I use 27uF/500V instead of 22uF/500V caps on a Hot Rod?  (Read 2327 times)

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Offline spunko

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Can I use 27uF/500V instead of 22uF/500V caps on a Hot Rod?
« on: April 19, 2022, 12:11:14 pm »
Hello, basically what the tittle says.

Would it hurt to change the three original 22uf to 27uf/500 on a Hot Rod (or any similar amp)?

I have F&T kits for the amp, but a friend just arrived from USA and gave me a bunch of 500v nichicons (47uf and 27uf) he bought from mouser.
I'm just curious if this, or any amp will work well with those values?

Thank you very much.

Offline tonepumpamps

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Re: Can I use 27uF/500V instead of 22uF/500V caps on a Hot Rod?
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2022, 12:14:16 pm »
They'll work fine.  In the grand scheme of things 22uF to 27uF isn't much of a difference.

Offline spunko

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Re: Can I use 27uF/500V instead of 22uF/500V caps on a Hot Rod?
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2022, 03:21:40 pm »
Wow, I just found out F&T was bought by Mersen in 2021. I have been buying F&Ts just fine until now. I find mostly F&T/Mersen caps on some web pages.
I suppose they are the same quality but with new name.

Offline tubeswell

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Re: Can I use 27uF/500V instead of 22uF/500V caps on a Hot Rod?
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2022, 05:40:22 pm »
...change the three original 22uf to 27uf/500 on a Hot Rod (or any similar amp)? ...

A couple of points:

1) the actual capacitance of electrolytic caps is variable between caps of the same uF rating and across frequencies. For filter caps, a 22uF rated cap might measure 20uF or 25uF for the corner frequency that we're concerned about shunting out of the PS rail.

2) 'R' and 'C' are variables in a frequency equation, and you need to change either variable quite a lot in order to make a substantial difference in an expected frequency roll-off point for the R/C filter.

e.g. for f = 1/[2Pi.C.R] where you have a 22uF cap following 4k7 power supply resistor (where 1uF = 1millionth of a Farad):

f = 1/[(44/7) x 0.0000022F x 4,700R] = 15.4Hz


But if you replace the cap with 27uF in the same filter:

f = 1/[(44/7) x 0.0000027F x 4,700R] = 12.5Hz


Either way you won't notice diddly squat in the LF roll-off point in your guitar amp (Bottom E on a Bass guitar in standard tuning is ~41Hz - guitar ~82Hz)
« Last Edit: April 19, 2022, 05:45:12 pm by tubeswell »
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Offline Latole

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Re: Can I use 27uF/500V instead of 22uF/500V caps on a Hot Rod?
« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2022, 03:14:48 am »
You have good answers
 Yes
You won't hear any sound difference.

I often do this.

Offline spunko

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Re: Can I use 27uF/500V instead of 22uF/500V caps on a Hot Rod?
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2022, 10:19:39 am »
Thank you very much for taking the time to explain.
Thanks the answers, I learn a lot in this forum =)

 


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