with regard to caps in an old radio is it better to keep a radio
switched on or switched off or is degradation just age dependant?

"Jim GM4 DHJ ..." wrote in message
...
with regard to caps in an old radio is it better to keep a radio switched
on or switched off or is degradation just age dependant?

Depends on how old the radio is. Electros prefer to stay on
life wise but the older non electros are just age dependant.

On Tue, 25 Aug 2020 17:25:48 +1000, Rod Speed wrote:

"Jim GM4 DHJ ..." wrote in message
...
with regard to caps in an old radio is it better to keep a radio
switched on or switched off or is degradation just age dependant?

Depends on how old the radio is. Electros prefer to stay on life wise
but the older non electros are just age dependant.


Presumably 'Electros' is Australian shorthand for Electrolytic Capacitors.

Jim GM4 DHJ ... wrote :
with regard to caps in an old radio is it better to keep a radio switched on
or switched off or is degradation just age dependant?

Switched on! Left off for years, old capacitors can form a short. The
usual way is to reform old capacitors by gradually increasing the
voltage across them over a period of time, but that doesn't always
work.

"jon" wrote in message ...
On Tue, 25 Aug 2020 17:25:48 +1000, Rod Speed wrote:

"Jim GM4 DHJ ..." wrote in message
...
with regard to caps in an old radio is it better to keep a radio
switched on or switched off or is degradation just age dependant?

Depends on how old the radio is. Electros prefer to stay on life wise
but the older non electros are just age dependant.


Presumably 'Electros' is Australian shorthand for Electrolytic Capacitors.

Yes, but not just australian.

On 25/08/2020 11:04:17, Rod Speed wrote:


"jon" wrote in message ...
On Tue, 25 Aug 2020 17:25:48 +1000, Rod Speed wrote:

"Jim GM4 DHJ ..." wrote in message
...
with regard to caps in an old radio is it better to keep a radio
switched on or switched off or is degradation just age dependant?

Depends on how old the radio is. Electros prefer to stay on life wise
but the older non electros are just age dependant.

They can dry out when left on. Electrolytics are specified for running
time, at voltage, at a temperature. Shelf life is much, much longer.

They are best unused but turned on occasionally to reform their
dielectric layer.

Presumably 'Electros' is Australian shorthand for Electrolytic
Capacitors.

Yes, but not just australian.

A term rarely used. The word 'lytics' is far more common.

This might assist for an English speaking person posting on a UK newsgroup:
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/di...nglish/electro

They can dry out when left on. Electrolytics are specified for running
time, at voltage, at a temperature. Shelf life is much, much longer.

They are best unused but turned on occasionally to reform their
dielectric layer.


thanks

Harry Bloomfield, Esq. wrote:
Jim GM4 DHJ ... wrote :
with regard to caps in an old radio is it better to keep a radio switched on
or switched off or is degradation just age dependant?

Switched on! Left off for years, old capacitors can form a short. The
usual way is to reform old capacitors by gradually increasing the
voltage across them over a period of time, but that doesn't always
work.


Old paper caps dry out and fail short.

With Electrolytics, one of the plates is formed by the electrolyte and
dissipates over time. As Harry says, you can sometimes reform the plate by
slowly increasing the applied voltage. More of an issue with high voltage
equipment and situations where the current isnt limited.

On modern kit, including lower voltage stuff, leakage of electrolyte is an
issue. It isnt unusual to see fluid/jelly leaking from capacitors- often
with bulging bodies. While they may still work after a fashion, they should
be replaced.

On Tue, 25 Aug 2020 07:46:25 +0100, "Jim GM4 DHJ ..."
wrote:

with regard to caps in an old radio is it better to keep a radio
switched on or switched off or is degradation just age dependant?

Paper and moulded paper fail with age no matter what you do with them.
Some old electrolytic (especially the physically large ones seem to
survive for longer than expected but will fail whether left on or not.

If you are renovating something it is usually wise to replace all
paper and electrolytic capacitors.

On 25/08/2020 07:46, Jim GM4 DHJ ... wrote:
with regard to caps in an old radio is it better to keep a radio
switched on or switched off or is degradation just age dependant?

All valve equipment should be left on - assuming you aren't
paying the leccy bill.

On Tuesday, 25 August 2020 19:38:22 UTC+1, Andrew wrote:
On 25/08/2020 07:46, Jim GM4 DHJ ... wrote:

with regard to caps in an old radio is it better to keep a radio
switched on or switched off or is degradation just age dependant?

All valve equipment should be left on - assuming you aren't
paying the leccy bill.

If left on 24/7, the valves will lose emission & the electrolytics will expire.
If off all the time, the electrolytics will short when powered up.
Whoever said leave it off but power it up on occasion is right as far as extending its life goes /if repair is excluded/.

But the caps are in almost all valve radios now shot, and powering up such things can easily do damage. Better to check all the caps & replace where needed.


NT

Yes and some just dry out either way it seems. When powering up a radio
after a long time not running ie a valve one, do it via a light bulb first
as sudden full volts can create a terrible mess if a cap goes bang and
spreads nasty smelling gunk and bits of paper all over the innards of the
cabinet. I made this mistake with an early TV once, a view, yes they really
called it that, with a 9 in screen and a humungous cabinet full of valves.
Brian

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"Rod Speed" wrote in message
...


"Jim GM4 DHJ ..." wrote in message
...
with regard to caps in an old radio is it better to keep a radio switched
on or switched off or is degradation just age dependant?

Depends on how old the radio is. Electros prefer to stay on
life wise but the older non electros are just age dependant.

Yes especially when my spell checker does not know how to spell it either.
Brian

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The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"jon" wrote in message ...
On Tue, 25 Aug 2020 17:25:48 +1000, Rod Speed wrote:

"Jim GM4 DHJ ..." wrote in message
...
with regard to caps in an old radio is it better to keep a radio
switched on or switched off or is degradation just age dependant?

Depends on how old the radio is. Electros prefer to stay on life wise
but the older non electros are just age dependant.


Presumably 'Electros' is Australian shorthand for Electrolytic Capacitors.