esr

[goodguys]

Hi and thanks for taking the time to read this post.

May i ask what the most important capacitor parameter is when picking a replacement capaitor for upgrading an old aging one. Many people talk about esr. Should i purchase a capacitor with the very lowest esr. You see it gets a little confusing with so many brands out there and everyone having their own favourite to recommend.

I want to change an aluminium eltrolytic for aluminium electrolytic Should i look at capcitor esr alone or is there any other parameter to be considered.

Many thanks in advance. John..

 

[godfrey]

Yes, low ESR is what I'd look for. Make sure the voltage and ripple current ratings are adequate, though.

 

[indianajo]

Having had to replace the electrolytic caps in my hifi equipment 3 times in 40 years. I find service life the main quality discriminator that I use to select caps. You would think by 1982 that something better than rubber would be used to seal caps costing >$10, but you would be wrong. Furthermore, the life of under 5 years of caps in my DTV converters and 6 to 2 years life in my PC's and CRT displays indicates that the use of **** to seal caps continues into the twenty first century. The predicted service life of most electrolytic caps in stock at distributors is less than 1000 hours, which indicates that first cost is the main choice of professionals in the cap replacement market. I have had no bad sonic effects with any of the over 150 electrolytic replacement caps I've installed in the last two years chosen for long life alone. Long life rating selection drives one into the premium product range.