Recycling Parts is it possible - Page 2

Christer · 21st February 2003, 12:53 PM

If you are building something that you plan to use for many
years, you should make sure to buy fresh electrolytics. However,
it can be useful to have a bunch of recycled ones for test
purposes and prototypes. If you build a prototype of something
you do'nt know if you are going to use, or you don't know
what value you need, it might be useful to start with some
old lytics. Then, if it works well with these, you buy appropriate
new ones for the sharp version. If it doesn't work well, you must
of course keep in mind that it may be because of bad lytics.

You may also wish to check this thread on formating old
electrolytics
Which caps to use??

Jeff R · 21st February 2003, 06:21 PM

My Leach amp still is using electrolytics that I got back in 1979. So, old electrolytics can still be quite good. However, some types that have not been powered up for a long time should be brought up gradually to help the dielectric reform. In other words, don't immediately apply 60 volts to a 75 volt capacitor. Use a variable power supply to slowly bring up the voltage. Someone might know the proper way, but I would suggest maybe applying the voltage in a series of 10 volts steps, with several minutes at each step, possible longer at intermediate voltages.

TomJ · 22nd February 2003, 06:49 PM

How do you find out the spec's for a transformer if it doesn't have any thing written on it. Is there any way to test for this.

Jeff R · 22nd February 2003, 08:32 PM

Weight is generally proportional to the power rating. I don't have a formula, though.

you can use an ohmmeter to find out how the windings were wound. With that figured out, apply some AC to one set of windings (from a sine wave generator - don't plug it into the wall), and by measuring voltages on the other windings you can figure out the turns ratios. You can also look at the wire sizes to get an idea of how much current each winding was designed to handle.

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21st February 2003, 12:53 PM	#11
Christer diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sweden	If you are building something that you plan to use for many years, you should make sure to buy fresh electrolytics. However, it can be useful to have a bunch of recycled ones for test purposes and prototypes. If you build a prototype of something you do'nt know if you are going to use, or you don't know what value you need, it might be useful to start with some old lytics. Then, if it works well with these, you buy appropriate new ones for the sharp version. If it doesn't work well, you must of course keep in mind that it may be because of bad lytics. You may also wish to check this thread on formating old electrolytics Which caps to use??

21st February 2003, 06:21 PM	#12
Jeff R diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Florida	My Leach amp still is using electrolytics that I got back in 1979. So, old electrolytics can still be quite good. However, some types that have not been powered up for a long time should be brought up gradually to help the dielectric reform. In other words, don't immediately apply 60 volts to a 75 volt capacitor. Use a variable power supply to slowly bring up the voltage. Someone might know the proper way, but I would suggest maybe applying the voltage in a series of 10 volts steps, with several minutes at each step, possible longer at intermediate voltages.

22nd February 2003, 06:49 PM	#13
TomJ diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cambridge	How do you find out the spec's for a transformer if it doesn't have any thing written on it. Is there any way to test for this.

22nd February 2003, 08:32 PM	#14
Jeff R diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Florida	Weight is generally proportional to the power rating. I don't have a formula, though. you can use an ohmmeter to find out how the windings were wound. With that figured out, apply some AC to one set of windings (from a sine wave generator - don't plug it into the wall), and by measuring voltages on the other windings you can figure out the turns ratios. You can also look at the wire sizes to get an idea of how much current each winding was designed to handle.

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