Author Topic: repairing a cap by refilling it...  (Read 1139 times)

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Offline MyHeadHzTopic starter

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repairing a cap by refilling it...
« on: March 02, 2019, 12:05:39 am »
Is it possible to revive a cap by refilling it with electrolyte, like using a syringe?  I know there is a process to repack big caps, but I mean for small ones.
 

Offline FotatoPotato

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Re: repairing a cap by refilling it...
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2019, 12:07:01 am »
No, not that I know of. Just get a new cap
 

Online Gyro

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Re: repairing a cap by refilling it...
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2019, 10:36:15 am »
Theoretically, I suppose. Your problem though is that you have no idea what composition of electrolyte was originally used (they vary significantly between manufacturers and types) and you have no way of purchasing it.

That makes it a practical (and economical) non-starter.
« Last Edit: March 02, 2019, 10:40:32 am by Gyro »
Best Regards, Chris
 

Online wraper

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Re: repairing a cap by refilling it...
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2019, 10:41:11 am »
Theoretically, I suppose. Your problem though is that you have no idea what composition of electrolyte was originally used (they vary significantly between manufacturers and types) and you have no way of purchasing it.

That makes it a non-starter.
The other problem that capacitor failing is not simply electrolyte evaporating. There are more complicated processes behind it. Also how you are you going to safely seal it again and keep vent still doing it's function?
Quote
I know there is a process to repack big caps
There is none of such BS.
« Last Edit: March 02, 2019, 10:42:46 am by wraper »
 

Offline Shock

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Re: repairing a cap by refilling it...
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2019, 10:55:20 am »
Theoretically, I suppose. Your problem though is that you have no idea what composition of electrolyte was originally used (they vary significantly between manufacturers and types) and you have no way of purchasing it.

That makes it a practical (and economical) non-starter.

As that leaf falls 100 new Chinese businesses start up selling refurbished name brand capacitors.

Even if you got the electrolyte right, there is other related problems like damage to the dielectric that would make it waste of time as well. I think reforming is about as far as I'm willing to go.

But transplanting electrolyte sounds like a fun evening of experimentation. Who knows it could take off like ink refills.
Soldering/Rework: Pace ADS200, Pace MBT350
Multimeters: Fluke 189, 87V, 117, 112   >>> WANTED STUFF <<<
Oszilloskopen: Lecroy 9314, Phillips PM3065, Tektronix 2215a, 314
 

Online Gyro

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Re: repairing a cap by refilling it...
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2019, 10:58:06 am »

Quote
I know there is a process to repack big caps
There is none of such BS.

There is a process where people remove the guts of old capacitors and fit smaller modern ones inside for cosmetic reasons - retaining the 'look' of old valve amps for example. Certain dodgy Chinese sellers carry out a similar practice with low rated, low quality capacitors inside premium quality brand cans for reasons of profit, but that's as far as 'repacking' goes.
« Last Edit: March 02, 2019, 11:00:48 am by Gyro »
Best Regards, Chris
 

Online wraper

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Re: repairing a cap by refilling it...
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2019, 11:06:42 am »

Quote
I know there is a process to repack big caps
There is none of such BS.

There is a process where people remove the guts of old capacitors and fit smaller modern ones inside for cosmetic reasons - retaining the 'look' of old valve amps for example. Certain dodgy Chinese sellers carry out a similar practice with low rated, low quality capacitors inside premium quality brand cans for reasons of profit, but that's as far as 'repacking' goes.
That's not repacking. It's placing different capacitor inside of cosmetic shell.
 


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