Can we repair aluminium can capacitors

[rajeev luthra]

Can we repair aluminium can capacitors
Are Can Caps Repairable?
I have some can capacitors laying with me with different faults,most of them are with loose lugs ,some are showing short circuit , and in some there is expansion inside and the sealing side has opened a little due to internal pressure.
I would like to know if it is ok to open them and repair the fault and fit it back in the can , opening the seal and sealing it back without the machine does not give finishing but I wonder if it will matter with the working.

 

[Netlist]

Hi Rajeev
The short answer to this is no (to me)
They had their life, they died and that's it.
You wouldn't trust an amplifier stuffed with refurbished cans would you?

/Hugo

 

[dnsey]

It is, of course, perfectly possible to fit a modern cap inside an old can to preserve the original appearence. Not really a 'repair', but a useful procedure with vintage gear.

 

[ekaerin]

Hello Rajeev,

If the terminals are bad and the cap is otherwise in really good shape
and you have a hard time finding caps, then, maybe it's worth fixing.

The bravest I've done to electrolytics is drilling a hole in the center and
put in a thermocouple to measure temp rise due to ripple current.

Good luck with the terminals / Mattias

 

[rajeev luthra]

This is what I was thinking ,that at least the caps which are ok and only have defective lugs , should be repaired , but again I do not have the guts to use them , does opening and closing the cap dettoriate the cap , or does the electrolite evaporate ?

 

[ekaerin]

The electrolytic evaporate over time so you want to seal it the best
you can do. Even if you don't want to use them in an amp you can
always use the caps for testing purposes.

Regards / Mattias

 

[rajeev luthra]

Thanks I like your idea, there caps can be used for testing purposes , yes why not give them some extra life.
What is this electrolytic solution can we add some if required ?