Which capacitor is best.

[gadgeteer123]

I am changing the capacitor in my realistic boombox from 1986, it was there second best model from back then, This thing looks like a cheap home stereo, very well built for a boombox. But my woofers are getting worn out, so along with me changing them to something newer and better quality, I wan't to switch out my capacitors for the power and amplifier to. I would like to know which capacitors would be best for this upgrade? the new woofers will be more durable so that means I can turn it up more, so I want to minimize distortion and help with the extra bass its gonna be putting out. The current capacitors are 25v at 4700uf for the power source. There are two 16v 1000uf capacitors for the speakers (one per channel) And then there is a 25v 1000uf that i'm not sure what its for but I think it is acting as a extra for the amplifier. This radio is 4rms per channel. I want to know if putting slightly better capacitors will help this radio out with its new speakers. I was planning on doing a 25v 6500uf for the power supply, a 16v 1500uf for each speaker channel, and then a 25v 1500uf for the extra one for the amp. What do you guys think, and if I am doing something wrong point it out and give me advice on what to do to help out the extra load.

[gadgeteer123]

Can you please help me? When I turn it up the amp distorts alot. I can tell it a lack of power problem, so it is most likely the capacitors. So what is your advice? I am upgrading its speakers, to the best 4 inch free-air woofer I could find. the woofers are 20 watts and the boom box is 6 watts per channel. This thing does pound good off of its original speakers, but I know it won't be able to take the load of the new speakers, plus I like to hook up external speakers once in awhile. it has jacks for it.

[fff0]

Hi,

It will help if you can post a picture of the internals.
My guess:
25v at 4700uf for the power source. - Double the capacitance.

There are two 16v 1000uf capacitors for the speakers (one per channel) - Change to black gate or Slimic or some better capacitor. Keep value and capacitance. Take your pick at here: Best electrolytic capacitors

And then there is a 25v 1000uf that i'm not sure what its for - No guess for this.

Reason for distortion when turn up: Not enough watts to play loud cleanly, clipping.

[gadgeteer123]

Is there anything I can do to reduce clipping? I know in a car giving it a good voltage helps. I have some capictors from a cheapy amp, that are good enough for a boombox there not a correct match but it will let me know if there bad or not. Do you think maybe giving it a power supply upgrade and better capacitors will help it? I was thinking 13-14v, 2-3amp power supply, and all of the capacitors you recommended. Also what are the advantages of those capacitors u mentioned?

[jean-paul]

Black gate caps are very hard to get ( as they're not produced anymore for years now ) and they're overkill in this application.

Nichicon ZA/ZL/ZLH, Panasonic FC/FM etc. are good replacements that are not too expensive.

Make it a 6800/25 or even a 10000/25 for the power cap. To the speakers I would use 2200/16 or 2200/25 if it fits. The one that is unknown can be replaced with one with the same values.

[gadgeteer123]

I got those test capacitors wired in, they where to big so i had to run wires to from the board to a hollow spot, but wow those old capacitors must of been really really shot, because it sound a lot better. The 5 years I have owned this vintage boombox, I have never had it hit this clean, for a boombox anyways. when i plugged it in and hit play The bass was a little bit deeper, and i can now push the internal and external speakers to distortion when before the amp just clipped. So once I can get some capacitors ordered, it should be fine , what do you guys thin about the bigger power supply?? Since I am soon upgrading its 6watt woofers with 20watt ones. They sound decent but the left voice coil is melted so it rattles a lot.

[gadgeteer123]

Now i can't wait for my new woofers. Ive had people already compliment me on its sound. I miss the days when they built things well. This thing is like a low power hi-fi system, in a tiny box. I wish I can find the 5.25" version of this but there rare, and kind of expensive to, i did find one once the guy wanted $80. I didn't have it at the time.