I am re-capping my vintage electronics' electrolytics. This consists of low-level to line-level circuitry operating on +/-18 volt rails. These particular capacitors are NOT in the audio path (I'll use bipolars for that), and used mostly as power supply bypass, ranging in values from 1µF to 1,000µF. I had already planned on sticking to 105c, 5,000 hr capacitors. Would there be any reliability improvement from using 50 volt-rated caps versus 35 volt-rated caps?
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Also the grade of rubber sealant the manufacturer used to start with.
I've installed >300 3000 to 10000 hour service life rated caps in my power amps & organs since 2008. Most were 85 C rated. No failures yet. By contrast the junk caps the TV parts store sells out front, I went through 4 sets in my ST70 in 40 years. Hooray internet distributors, after the debit card was invented. Newark wouldn't sell to individuals in 1970. Digikey was a surplus house, no new parts.
As was stated 35 V rated cap is perfect for the 15-18 V voltage line. I use higher voltage rated ones if I need physically larger caps (wider pinch between wires, to fit PCB after older larger ones).
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