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In Reply to: How long can electrolytic capacitors (in a tube amp) last? posted by Leslie Loh on September 28, 2004 at 03:00:30:
.....on how the capacitor is constructed and the duty cycle of the equipment and its misuse or use and storage. Aluminum electrolytics use a caustic chemical as an electrolyte that breaks down in about 20 years and you just have to replace them. If the capacitor is rated for 105 degrees instead of 85 degrees C then it may last longer but all aluminum electrolytics start to leak, secume, kaput. Oil capacitors do not give up the ghost nearly as bad and their electrolyte does not break down but they are HUGE. If you've got small aluminum electrolytics bypassing a cathode then by all means replace them regularly. I think most of your grunge is coming from aging tubes. Ray Hughes
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- Depends... - grhughes 05:14:24 09/28/04 (0)