Using moter run caps in PSU.

[G]

Has anyone here used motor run caps in a power supply? If so, did you solder directly to the tabs or did you use spade clips? I have some motor run caps but I am concerned that I will end up unsoldering the internal connections of the cap if I try soldering anything to the tabs.

 

[Gluca]

I use faston connectors. Soldering wire onto those heavy lugs would not be that easy.

Ciao
Gianluca

 

[pedroskova]

I've soldered a bunch of them with no problems.

 

[Andrewbee]

soldering works fine.

 

[Tubelab_com]

Cheap faston type connectors from the automotive department at Walmart. I have been known to use their automotive primary wire for wiring up filament connections too, especially those power hungry tubes like 6336's.

 

[G]

Cheap faston type connectors from the automotive department at Walmart. I have been known to use their automotive primary wire for wiring up filament connections too, especially those power hungry tubes like 6336's.

Are there drawbacks to using a contact connection rather than using a soldered connection?

 

[Gluca]

I have been known to use their automotive primary wire for wiring up filament connections too, especially those power hungry tubes like 6336's.

Hey! Me too maybe it's not that audiophile but works fine.

Are there drawbacks to using a contact connection rather than using a soldered connection?

No. You just need to use a proper tool to crimp the connector onto the wire but I cheat and use a plier and solder after the crimping.

Ciao
Gianluca

 

[Tubelab_com]

I cheat and use a plier and solder after the crimping.

Same here. The plastic melts a little when soldering so it may not look great, but it is under the chassis. I like to be able to take things apart, so I use connectors when possible.

 

[cbutterworth]

I have soldered and unsoldered mine a bunch of times. I like the solder approach especially for those that have numerous lugs per terminal because, I can solder my safety bleeders to one lug, and use the other(s) for PSU connections. I have no idea how the caps are wired internally, but I would expect them require more than a hot soldering-iron to damage their interior (but I really don't know for sure).

Anyway, I have had no problems and I feel more confident in solder over spade connectors, especially once you have optimized your PSU.

Charlie

 

[apassgear]

These caps (oil filled) are great for PSU and I usually solder them but also using it as cathode by pass with excellent results on a 12B4 line amp.

As a cathode bypass I did compare against a 5u WonderCap and the oil cap won hands down when bypassed with a 0.1u MKP film. I should mention that the oil cap is 4 uf rated at 370 VAC not exactly a motor run as we know them but what I think is called a power factor corrector cap which are built to a higher standard.

 

[chrish]

I picked up four ASC 20uF 370VAC/4uF 440VAC multi-section motor run caps for about $5 a piece a while ago thinking they might be good for something. Any suggestions?