Polyester, Polyprop, Electrolytic - Quick and Informal

bigphil · 14th June 2006, 01:08 AM

Is it always better to replace an Electrolytic with a Polyprop or Polyester, can chaning an electrolytic with a polyester do any harm? Or is it not worth the trouble at all?

EDIT - to be more specific, I searched and a lot of people say that polyester "sucks" but I want to know if its worth the time/money to change them out where it will work for electrolytics.

anatech · 14th June 2006, 01:29 AM

Hi bigphil,
Replacing electrolytics with polyesters is normally fine. Polyester caps are way better than electrolytics in the same value. Polycarbonate are better, Polypropylene and Polystyrene are better still.

Todays electrolytic caps are far better than the older ones from the 70's.

Don't ever replace caps in tuned circuits (like CD servos and tuners), you will regret it. The same holds true for metal film resistors. I've seen more than one unit written off by being "modded".

-Chris

jackinnj · 14th June 2006, 01:32 AM

one app where you should think twice abouuuuut (that's CDN for those who speak the non-anglais) changin' the cap is in an low dropout regulator -- these have to be designed with the ESR of the cap in mind.

bigphil · 14th June 2006, 01:42 AM

Thank you very much.

anatech · 14th June 2006, 01:43 AM

Hi jackinnj,
Thanks, didn't know that. I normally don't work by replacing things wholesale (thank goodness). Engineers often have reasons for the things they do - even if it's a mistake

.

-Chris

jackinnj · 14th June 2006, 01:52 AM

I am head'n up to Pelee Island this summer, fwiw

anatech · 14th June 2006, 02:09 AM

Why would you do that? Unless you like wine of course ...

KBK · 27th June 2006, 01:01 AM

don't they have a bad airport there too?

14th June 2006, 01:08 AM	#1
bigphil diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Toronto	Polyester, Polyprop, Electrolytic - Quick and Informal Is it always better to replace an Electrolytic with a Polyprop or Polyester, can chaning an electrolytic with a polyester do any harm? Or is it not worth the trouble at all? EDIT - to be more specific, I searched and a lot of people say that polyester "sucks" but I want to know if its worth the time/money to change them out where it will work for electrolytics.

27th June 2006, 01:01 AM	#8
KBK diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: The Wilds Of Canada	don't they have a bad airport there too? __________________ "Never forget that only dead fish swim with the stream." -- Malcolm Muggeridge. "Truth cannot be brought down, rather the individual must make the effort to ascend to it." -- Jiddu Krishnamurti

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14th June 2006, 01:29 AM	#2
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Hi bigphil, Replacing electrolytics with polyesters is normally fine. Polyester caps are way better than electrolytics in the same value. Polycarbonate are better, Polypropylene and Polystyrene are better still. Todays electrolytic caps are far better than the older ones from the 70's. Don't ever replace caps in tuned circuits (like CD servos and tuners), you will regret it. The same holds true for metal film resistors. I've seen more than one unit written off by being "modded". -Chris

14th June 2006, 01:32 AM	#3
jackinnj diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Llanddewi Brefi, NJ	one app where you should think twice abouuuuut (that's CDN for those who speak the non-anglais) changin' the cap is in an low dropout regulator -- these have to be designed with the ESR of the cap in mind.

14th June 2006, 01:42 AM	#4
bigphil diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Toronto	Thank you very much.

14th June 2006, 01:43 AM	#5
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Hi jackinnj, Thanks, didn't know that. I normally don't work by replacing things wholesale (thank goodness). Engineers often have reasons for the things they do - even if it's a mistake . -Chris

14th June 2006, 01:52 AM	#6
jackinnj diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Llanddewi Brefi, NJ	I am head'n up to Pelee Island this summer, fwiw

14th June 2006, 02:09 AM	#7
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Why would you do that? Unless you like wine of course ...

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