Simple SE: Help sourcing power cap C1, 47uF 500V

[Horsebox]

Hi all,

I'm currently sourcing components for a Simple SE build (complete novice here!) and am having real trouble finding a 47uF 500V power supply capacitor in the UK (or indeed anywhere!).

Does anyone have any suggestions where to look?

Thanks all.

[tinitus]

F T A47050021036 - 47uF 500V Electrolytic 21x36mm

[Horsebox]

Thanks for the quick reply but unfortunately that one is axial as opposed to the can-type specified in the parts list.

No reason why it wouldn't work but mounting it on the PCB would be a mare I suspect.

[AndrewT]

Have a look for Motor run caps rated for 440Vac. These should have a DC rating exceeding 600Vdc.

I wonder what the DC rating is for a 240Vac motor run cap.

They are available cheaply in electrolytic and more expensive in metalised film.

[tinitus]

I looked at Farnell.UK

theres only one 47uf/500V, a more expencive Cornell Dubilier
if you can do with 450V there are more options

but printmounted remember to also look at can size, pin type and spacing

is it hole throug like this http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...duct&R=6997581

or this snap-in http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...duct&R=4148932

[Horsebox]

Thanks for the help and pointers.

I've found one from Germany rated at 500V that fits the bill and I'll order some other bits from them too to make the postage worthwhile.

Unfortunately I don't yet know enough to say with confidence that the B+ will be sufficiently less than 450V to be able to get away with a 450V rated cap, hence the need for a 500V-rated to cover all bases and avoid things going up in smoke!

Kind regards.

[theintangiblefatman]

MCM Electronics has a suitable cap in stock. They're pretty pricey but all I could find in the states earlier this week.

[tubelab.com]

Unfortunately the world wide parts shortage has made 500 volt caps rather hard to find. I was planning to offer a parts kit for the Simple SE but I can't seem to get 500 volt caps from a good supplier either right now. If you are using the 375-0-375 volt power transformer a 450 volt cap is not recommended. The voltage can go over 450 volts during warm up.

As suggested motor run caps rated for 370 VAC mounted off the PC board are an entirely usable solution. I usually recommend the addition of a motor run cap in parallel with C2. The board can be operated without C2 if a 100 uF or larger motor RUN cap is added. Do not use a motor START cap.

A 33 uF or 39 uF cap of 500 volt rating can be used for C1 if you can find those. Axial lead caps can often be used if the negative lead is folded back alongside the can and the assembly is covered with heat shrink.

[Horsebox]

Originally Posted by tubelab.com

Unfortunately the world wide parts shortage has made 500 volt caps rather hard to find. I was planning to offer a parts kit for the Simple SE but I can't seem to get 500 volt caps from a good supplier either right now.

During my hunt I emailed this company below who were very helpful and offered to get me sample of F&T 500V caps to test with a view to a bulk order of around 140 or so to make it worthwhile. I think I must have given the impression I was after a good few rather than just a couple, so after putting him right we took it no further. Maybe of use to you if you can stomach importing them from the UK?

AudioCap: The Audio Capacitor Online Shop

Although I've not any ordered yet, I've pretty much settled on these below, also from Germany:

Tube-Town Online-Store - JJ 47 µF @ 500 V cjj-47-500

All I know about them is that they should fit in the PCB, don't know if they're any good or not!

If buying from the States they may be good value at the moment with the Pound and Euro so weak.

[imnewbie]

For using motor-run caps at C2 what should be capacitance rating 47uf/33uf/39uf?