Electronics > Beginners

[SOLVED]Do capacitors dry out faster when they are not used?

(1/1)

Stori:
Hello good people,

I've been searching for an answer but didn't find anything useful :-\
Do electrolytic capacitors dry out faster when they are just laying around unused? (in comparison with an electrolytic capacitor that is built into a curcuit and is being used at least once every 1/2 weeks within it's specs)
What about other type of capacitors?
Background: Some "wiseguys" in a car forum always claim that if you store your car for a long time you will get problems with dry capacitors. IF you never move/use it that is. Those guys are no electronic experts...
I know that a capacitor is always going to break down at some point no matter what, but do they really dry out faster when not used? It sounds like BS imho, urban myth?

Thx

james_s:
I don't think they dry out if not used, but very old electrolytics may need to be re-formed if they have sat for a long time. Personally I just replace electrolytics with modern parts, they are what I consider to be consumables.

Surely with cars there are lots of other things that deteriorate when sitting. Seals dry up, fuel turns to varnish, rubber parts rot, but capacitors? Maybe if you let the car sit for 50 years but by then you'll have other problems.

Stori:
Thanks for your confirmation that it's not true :-+

Lee Leduc:
Here's a presentation titled "Long-Term Storage of Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors".
https://www.dfrsolutions.com/hubfs/Resources/services/Long-Term-Storage-of-Al-E-Capacitors.pdf?t=1528744207492

Navigation

[0] Message Index

There was an error while thanking
Thanking...
Go to full version
Powered by SMFPacks Advanced Attachments Uploader Mod