Radio Spares 10,000uf polarity markings

[Chris Daly]

I have a Radio Spares Capacitor63v 10,000uf with no apparent polarity marking. Rather it has 5 terminals on its top, with a number sequence of 1, 2, 3, 4 Has anyone a data sheet or polarity identification info.

Cheers / Chris

 

[Chris Daly]

Have decided to dispose of them, as it is ridiculous this capacitor has no polarity markings.
I have contacted radio spares, in a last ditch attempt to identify.

cheers / Chris

 

[Luke]

some times the rivet that holds the -ve tab on is black. Use a meter to find which are the two active pins.

 

[Chris Daly]

Hi Luke
No there is nothing that identifies polarity other than a number sequence 1,2,3,4. I suspect Radio Spares originally sold these with a connection information sheet. I will try 5v DC current limited to 5ma , and see which terminals hold a charge.

Thanks for your interest
Cheers / Chris

 

[Andy5112405]

Hi Luke
No there is nothing that identifies polarity other than a number sequence 1,2,3,4. I suspect Radio Spares originally sold these with a connection information sheet. I will try 5v DC current limited to 5ma , and see which terminals hold a charge.

Thanks for your interest
Cheers / Chris

Not always a valid way of testing them as some electrolytics can hold a small reverse charge.

Try connecting a current limited supply and see which terminals slowly build up a voltage whilst reducing the current that is being drawn.

 

[Elvee]

Have decided to dispose of them, as it is ridiculous this capacitor has no polarity markings.
I have contacted radio spares, in a last ditch attempt to identify.

cheers / Chris

Can you post some photo's. In my experience, there is always some form of identification somewhere, even when it's not apparent at all.

 

[Mooly]

Can you post some photo's. In my experience, there is always some form of identification somewhere, even when it's not apparent at all.

Yep... lets have a look see

 

[Chris Daly]

Will get a photo in about 9 hrs, capacitor is in the workshop and everyone asleep at the moment.

Cheers / Chris

 

[Andy5112405]

Are there any markings on the body of the capacitor ?

Sometimes they can be marked with a strip of a different colour.

 

[nigelwright7557]

Have decided to dispose of them, as it is ridiculous this capacitor has no polarity markings.
I have contacted radio spares, in a last ditch attempt to identify.

cheers / Chris

If they are old then I would dispose of them anyway.
Cricklewood Electronics sell them new for £3-50 each.

 

[Elvee]

If they are old then I would dispose of them anyway.
Cricklewood Electronics sell them new for £3-50 each.

I don't think so: large, unused caps tend to stay good for ever (I still have 22,000µ/70V Sprague's of the early seventies that are as good as new).
Some minutes reforming, and on they go....

I don't think modern ultra high density types would fare as well after 40y+ storage.

Let's meet in 2050 to check!

 

[Juergen Knoop]

I have a Radio Spares Capacitor63v 10,000uf with no apparent polarity marking. Rather it has 5 terminals on its top, with a number sequence of 1, 2, 3, 4 Has anyone a data sheet or polarity identification info.

Cheers / Chris

those multipole caps should be standardised. Check the Vishay 051/053 pec-pw series for reference.
regards

 

[Chris Daly]

I have heard back from Radio Spares they inform:

"Hello Chris Terminal is +ve and terminals 2,3 and 4 may be at negative
terminal
potential due to the presence of electrolyte. They are
intended for mechanical connections only. It is
recommended that they are soldered to the printed board

and picture of the capacitor:

Thank you to everyone who helped.

Cheers / Chris

 

[Luke]

I don't think so: large, unused caps tend to stay good for ever (I still have 22,000µ/70V Sprague's of the early seventies that are as good as new).
Some minutes reforming, and on they go....

I don't think modern ultra high density types would fare as well after 40y+ storage.

Let's meet in 2050 to check!

Ive got some large cans from the 80's that I have reformed. Whilst they hold a charge, some loose voltage sooner than others. I expect that a new one would perform alot better than a 30yo cap.

 

[Mooly]

Thanks for pic...
They may be useful to keep for any "lash ups" but I don't think I would incorporate them in a new build... even if they are good, you probably couldn't replace them with identical ones.

 

[mink65]

Usually pin 1 pos, pin 5 neg, pin 2,3 and 4 no connection -

see BHC Components | Passives | Capacitors | Aluminium | ALP20, ALP22, ALC10C, T-up Series 85°C - Aluminium Electrolytic -Multi Pin |ALP22A103CD063
and BHC Components | Passives | Capacitors | Aluminium | ALP20, ALP22, ALC10C, T-up Series 85°C - Aluminium Electrolytic -Multi Pin |ALP20A1007DE

Hope this helps