DIY Capacitor Burner.

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Guarnera

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Joined 2010
#1
Hello All,
Please, I don't want to start a big deal on the merits of burning in a cap. So please, If you think it's stupid, I appreciate your opinion, but please don't comment here. Thank you.
Now, how can I burn in caps without installing them in my equipment? I was told to just put a 1Kz square wave through it from a signal generator, for however long, and that would do it. But don't I need something the sweeps, or give me the entire audio spectrum? Is there a post somewhere that has a DIY cap burner? Thank you all so very much for any help you could give me.:spin:
 
#5
burning+hat.jpg
 
#7
Your head burns in quicker with no cap fitted. Seriously though, just use an old junk hifi and place the cap inline with the signal input like the way you would connect a dc blocking cap. Cheap and no real loss if you don't notice any difference post burn in.
 
#10
Guarnera said:
Now, how can I burn in caps without installing them in my equipment? I was told to just put a 1Kz square wave through it from a signal generator, for however long, and that would do it. But don't I need something the sweeps, or give me the entire audio spectrum? Is there a post somewhere that has a DIY cap burner?
Click to expand...

Assuming we're talking power supply eletrolytics, here's my suggestion. Feed white noise into a single-supply chipamp (LM3886-based one would be fine) and connect a 4R load via a 4700uF cap to the 0V. Put the cap to be burned in across the chipamp's supply pins. This'll be a representative signal for burn-in, containing ultrasonics.
 
#12
Hi Tony,

I'd suggest you ignore these 'nay-sayers' and just type in "Capacitor breakin" on the search thread (at top of page) and do your own search thru plenty of info there - I think Lynn Olson's article (from Glass Audio) is there somewhere too - very useful

Just a brief comment - different techiques for running in power electros and film caps - I do my signal caps (films) like Antonio above with an 'off-station' radio tuner - and I have yet to find a good fast way to 'breakin' signal resistors, unfortunately.
 
#13
Guarnera said:
Hello All,
Please, I don't want to start a big deal on the merits of burning in a cap. So please, If you think it's stupid, I appreciate your opinion, but please don't comment here. Thank you.
Now, how can I burn in caps without installing them in my equipment? I was told to just put a 1Kz square wave through it from a signal generator, for however long, and that would do it. But don't I need something the sweeps, or give me the entire audio spectrum? Is there a post somewhere that has a DIY cap burner? Thank you all so very much for any help you could give me.:spin:
Click to expand...



http://www.angelfire.com/electronic/funwithtubes/Restore_cap.html
 
#15
Not sure what part you're referring to Ashton,

About the caps, nothing new about breaking them in this way - idea's been around for plenty of years
About the resistors, perhaps not as well known but certainly wire wounds/foils (ie Rhopoints, Zfoils, etc) have definite breakin periods, just like foil caps

Sorry Tony for the Off Topic distraction ....
 
#17
jameshillj said:
Hi Tony,

I'd suggest you ignore these 'nay-sayers' and just type in "Capacitor breakin" on the search thread (at top of page) and do your own search thru plenty of info there - I think Lynn Olson's article (from Glass Audio) is there somewhere too - very useful

Just a brief comment - different techiques for running in power electros and film caps - I do my signal caps (films) like Antonio above with an 'off-station' radio tuner - and I have yet to find a good fast way to 'breakin' signal resistors, unfortunately.
Click to expand...

James,
I typed in Capacitor breakin in the search engine and not much popped up. But thanks anyway.
 
#18
Guarnera said:
James,
I typed in Capacitor breakin in the search engine and not much popped up. But thanks anyway.
Click to expand...

That's because it is a red herring.
Burn in just doesn't happen.
Any changes (if any) are so small as to be undiscernible.

I have been in electronics for 35 years and never heard a capacitor or resistor break in.
I have seen them explode and I must admit they didn't sound so good then lol
 
#19
Ah Tony, it's not immediately obvious but the link to banpuku's thread from last year "Detailed ... capacitor & resistor breakin times" is a good place to start and contains the link to Lynn Orson's article - you have to read a bit but lits of useful info there

Another one from the previous year is 'troopers' "Breaking in auio capacitors'

It's quite true that some people just can't hear a difference between capacitor types and on some equipment, there doesn't appear to be any discernible change in the sound - the "snake oil" thread is a happy place for people like that

Unfortunately, I've been deluding myself that there is a difference between capacitor types, resistor types, Interconnect types, pcb track material, etc for some years and for me these 'so-called' differences make up the fundamental fabric of diy and I just ignore those 'nay sayers' that can technically prove that I'm imagining things - suggest you do the same and enjoy your diy time.
 
#20
Those "nay sayers" have objective evidence that cap burn in is a red herring instead of deluding themselves with uncontrolled subjective drivel.

How can anyone enjoy thier DIY time knowing that they are being wrong in the process and wasting money also?

Maybe you should try Bud Plant's EnABL thread, that should be exactly what you are looking for.
 
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