Paper Caps with symbols?

[Ashroyer05]

Hi,
I am working with an organ that blew a fuse. It has big paper caps on it. I want to test these caps but I am not familiar with them. The caps have symbols on bottom: A triangle, a square, and a semicircle. Can anyone explain how these work and how do I test them?

Thank you.

[goontron]

Re: Paper Caps with symbols?

pics?
if you post pictures we can generally help you better.

[budm]

Re: Paper Caps with symbols?

It sounds like one of those old electrolytics multi-section cap in single can, this case, 3 caps in one can. There should be capacitance and voltage ratings stamped on the can.
http://antiqueradio.org/art/recap12.jpg
http://antiqueradio.org/art/recap10.jpg
http://antiqueradio.org/art/recap07.jpg

[Ashroyer05]

Re: Paper Caps with symbols?

Bud, that first link is exactly what the bottoms look like. How would i test them? Symbol to ground (casing)?

[budm]

Re: Paper Caps with symbols?

Negative is connected to the can. Do you see any labeling on the side of the cap? There should be some kind on printing on it. You should check for shorts first, then the capacitance. If it is really old, it should be forming (connect to power source and slowly increasing the apply voltage) first before applying full voltage to it. That link I post gives good info about forming and how to handle old caps.

[Ashroyer05]

Re: Paper Caps with symbols?

Thanks for the help bud. There is printing that has Volts and farads marked. How should I go about checking shorts? Leads to can and then leads to leads? I'm guessing I have to take the out as they may be in parallel. I also have an inline cap tester. I do not have a power supply at least one that is adjustable. I will check the link. Thanks again.

[Ashroyer05]

Re: Paper Caps with symbols?

them*

[Ashroyer05]

Re: Paper Caps with symbols?

Now all I see in the links are pictures. I thought I saw articles last time I looked.

[budm]

Re: Paper Caps with symbols?

http://antiqueradio.org/recap.htm

Set to Ohm mode (200 Ohm range, then 2K range) Black probe on the can, then probe each terminals to see what kind of resistance you will get, the meter will show low Ohms first then it should go up from there when cap is charging up.

[Ashroyer05]

Re: Paper Caps with symbols?

That's only for analog meter right? I tested for shorts tonight then tested esr. They are showing good numbers but two caps are showing esr .00.