Capacitors

Superidgit · Jun 18, 2011

I can not recall where I read this. However I read somewhere that replacing the electrolytic capacitors inside a radio from a 12v to 16v would help do something.

My questions are these:

The radio lets say a cobra 25/29

What would this modification actually do?

Is it even worth it?

What problems could one see if this mod was done? ( I know if done incorrectly, I could have a capacitor sticking out of my ear.)

Also, could this mod be done to any radio?

AudioShockwav · Jun 18, 2011

If it is a real old radio they tend to dry out over time and can fail.....if you are going to re-cap a old radio, it is a good idea to go to the higher voltage cap`s.
It simply gives the replacement part more headroom in breakdown voltage....

73
Jeff

Superidgit · Jun 18, 2011

AudioShockwav said:
If it is a real old radio they tend to dry out over time and can fail.....if you are going to re-cap a old radio, it is a good idea to go to the higher voltage cap`s.
It simply gives the replacement part more headroom in breakdown voltage....

73
Jeff

so nothing important about going 12v to 16v?

TonyV225 · Jun 18, 2011

No just a reliable upgrade. There are klits that are sold for replacing caps in the older tube amplifier on the net aswell its just a good idea and feeling knowing there all upgraded and new.

Superidgit · Jun 19, 2011

man i woulda thought something grand!!

so wouldnt even help with cruising down the road and seeing yer radio lights flicker?

See thats why ya gotta ask yer questions here!!:w00t:

dudmuck · Jun 19, 2011

Superidgit said:
I can not recall where I read this. However I read somewhere that replacing the electrolytic capacitors inside a radio from a 12v to 16v would help do something.

Any capacitor directly exposed to vehicle voltage should be at least 16v.
Probably (hopefully!) those 12v caps are not used for that.

good design practice actually says a capacitor should have double the voltage rating of what its actually going to see in service.

More important is what the capacitor is used for. DC block, or bypass, or ceramic caps are often for RF tuning.
Its important to know what kind of frequencies its exposed to, and that those dont approach the self-resonance of the capacitor. Usually capacitors are useless when getting near or above self-resonance.

ESR and Bypass Cap Self-Resonant Behavior

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Capacitors

Superidgit

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AudioShockwav

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Superidgit

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TonyV225

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Superidgit

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