Unused/New Electrolytic Shelf life

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • holmwel
    Ret. O.F.
    • Feb 2012
    • 3
    • USA

    #1

    Unused/New Electrolytic Shelf life

    I have two electrolytic capacitors [ Sprague Powerlytic / 36DX / 95°C / 9800uF / 100VDC / 0905L 25 ] that I had shipped to me on 01-29-10 from Allied Electronics. They have never been used [powered up], and have been well taken care of in terms of temperature storage. They are replacement caps for the power supply block of a audio power amplifier, as the current ones are very leaky. My question is: In all that I have read, as long as electrolytic capacitors have never been powered up, they have a fairly long shelf life. Does anyone have information contrary to this?? Thank you in advance for your time & consideration.
  • Th3_uN1Qu3
    Believe in
    • Jul 2010
    • 6031
    • Romania

    #2
    Re: Unused/New Electrolytic Shelf life

    There is no problem, especially with those big filter caps intended for audio amplifiers. If they were sitting for 5-10 years maybe you would have needed them reformed (variable voltage source, series resistor, series amp meter), watching the leakage current as you slowly advance the voltage towards their rated value. But for just a couple years they should be okay and require no preparation.
    Originally posted by PeteS in CA
    Remember that by the time consequences of a short-sighted decision are experienced, the idiot who made the bad decision may have already been promoted or moved on to a better job at another company.
    A working TV? How boring!

    Comment

    • 999999999
      Badcaps Veteran
      • Sep 2006
      • 774
      • USA

      #3
      Re: Unused/New Electrolytic Shelf life

      Where have you read that not powering them up improves shelf life? From recollection, that's the worst case as never powering them up would cause the most oxide loss on the foil. Regardless I agree with Th3 uN1Qu3, the caps should be fine for the application.

      Comment

      • holmwel
        Ret. O.F.
        • Feb 2012
        • 3
        • USA

        #4
        Re: Unused/New Electrolytic Shelf life

        @ 999999999 + @ Th3_uN1Qu3:
        Thank you gentlemen, for your dedication to a resolution. I thoroughly appreciate your efforts. As far as where I read that "not powering up will increase shelf life", it was 2+yrs back when I purchased them, and another 1-2 years back added to that in finding the information[??] that I used to make the purchase decision. I cannot remember the "source" of the info that stance came from. After re-investigating the issue, it appears you are correct, although, some manufacturers have trouble remaining "crystal" in their statements. Should [either] you want a good read, as well as some additional knowledge, visit: http://my.execpc.com/~endlr/electrolytic.html . It is a site, "chock full of nuts", as the saying goes. In any event, I thank you for "setting me straight", as it were, and prodding me to do some additional research on my own. Kudos to you [both], and again, Thank you. ---Sam

        Comment

        Related Topics

        Collapse

        Working...