cap conditioning question

MikeFarad · 6th June 2007, 10:55 AM

Hello,
I broke in some Black Gate and PP caps then had to leave the project for a couple of months. Now I'm getting back to it and would like to know if they should be conditioned again, or is once enough?
Also, do oil filled motor run caps benefit from this process?
TIA

richie00boy · 6th June 2007, 11:08 AM

Breaking them in is a waste of their life IMO, they only have a certain number of hours lifetime. Just use the equipment and they will break in on their own, while you get the benefit of listening to music

Hartono · 6th June 2007, 11:11 AM

The PP caps (mostly) only need 1 time break in.

I gave up with Blackgate long time ago. Break in took ages , if you don't use your Blackgate it will need another break in again.

impsick · 6th June 2007, 07:35 PM

man i read it all over but dont think i've seen a logical answer or reason why. What exactly is breaking in caps? I mean they are built to do what they do, so what actually happens to the cap when it is broken in? Something physically changes internally? An internal chemical reaction? What?
I guess for me to understand this breaking in "theory" the cap would have to change internally, physically or chemically.

ps not trying to start something crazy debate. just want to know what happens to the cap when it is considered broken in.

Hartono · 6th June 2007, 07:54 PM

in electrolytic caps, it got something to do with it's structure and chemical I guess. In case you never heard it, try panasonic FC in your power supply, listen to the difference after 15 minutes of operation.

in plastic caps, I think it's mostly healing of the dielectric.

impsick · 6th June 2007, 08:43 PM

oh ok, i will check that out. i actually have a power supply using FC's. If i can hear it, I'll believe it!!!

Hartono · 6th June 2007, 08:46 PM

I mean new unused FC !!!!!

put in the power supply and wait 15 minutes after operation.

impsick · 6th June 2007, 08:49 PM

oh new unused. haha ok, i'll do the experiment, i can swap out the caps. So your saying within 15 minutes there should be an audible difference? And this only happens once with FC's? also have you heard other caps that took longer?

never mind the last part i just reread your post about the gates

Hartono · 6th June 2007, 08:55 PM

"And this only happens once with FC's? also have you heard other caps that took longer?"

actually other panasonic electrolytics in signal path also behave the same in my experience. This might not only happens once, the longer the equipment is not used, the "break-in" need to be redone, hence my dislike for blackgates.

Hartono

impsick · 6th June 2007, 09:05 PM

cool. thanks for the very simple and informative replys.

6th June 2007, 10:55 AM	#1
MikeFarad diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: CT	cap conditioning question Hello, I broke in some Black Gate and PP caps then had to leave the project for a couple of months. Now I'm getting back to it and would like to know if they should be conditioned again, or is once enough? Also, do oil filled motor run caps benefit from this process? TIA

6th June 2007, 11:08 AM	#2
richie00boy Did it Himself diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gloucestershire, England, UK	Breaking them in is a waste of their life IMO, they only have a certain number of hours lifetime. Just use the equipment and they will break in on their own, while you get the benefit of listening to music __________________ www.readresearch.co.uk my website for UK diy audio people - designs, PCBs, kits and more

6th June 2007, 07:35 PM	#4
impsick diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, Ca	man i read it all over but dont think i've seen a logical answer or reason why. What exactly is breaking in caps? I mean they are built to do what they do, so what actually happens to the cap when it is broken in? Something physically changes internally? An internal chemical reaction? What? I guess for me to understand this breaking in "theory" the cap would have to change internally, physically or chemically. ps not trying to start something crazy debate. just want to know what happens to the cap when it is considered broken in. __________________ "Nothing happens for a reason. There are just reasons why things happen." Quote me on that. http://stores.ebay.com/AudioGrade?_rdc=1

6th June 2007, 08:43 PM	#6
impsick diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, Ca	oh ok, i will check that out. i actually have a power supply using FC's. If i can hear it, I'll believe it!!! __________________ "Nothing happens for a reason. There are just reasons why things happen." Quote me on that. http://stores.ebay.com/AudioGrade?_rdc=1

6th June 2007, 08:49 PM	#8
impsick diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, Ca	oh new unused. haha ok, i'll do the experiment, i can swap out the caps. So your saying within 15 minutes there should be an audible difference? And this only happens once with FC's? also have you heard other caps that took longer? never mind the last part i just reread your post about the gates __________________ "Nothing happens for a reason. There are just reasons why things happen." Quote me on that. http://stores.ebay.com/AudioGrade?_rdc=1


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6th June 2007, 11:11 AM	#3
Hartono diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: currently in China	The PP caps (mostly) only need 1 time break in. I gave up with Blackgate long time ago. Break in took ages , if you don't use your Blackgate it will need another break in again.

6th June 2007, 07:54 PM	#5
Hartono diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: currently in China	in electrolytic caps, it got something to do with it's structure and chemical I guess. In case you never heard it, try panasonic FC in your power supply, listen to the difference after 15 minutes of operation. in plastic caps, I think it's mostly healing of the dielectric.

6th June 2007, 08:46 PM	#7
Hartono diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: currently in China	I mean new unused FC !!!!! put in the power supply and wait 15 minutes after operation.

6th June 2007, 08:55 PM	#9
Hartono diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: currently in China	"And this only happens once with FC's? also have you heard other caps that took longer?" actually other panasonic electrolytics in signal path also behave the same in my experience. This might not only happens once, the longer the equipment is not used, the "break-in" need to be redone, hence my dislike for blackgates. Hartono

6th June 2007, 09:05 PM	#10
impsick diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, Ca	cool. thanks for the very simple and informative replys. __________________ "Nothing happens for a reason. There are just reasons why things happen." Quote me on that. http://stores.ebay.com/AudioGrade?_rdc=1

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