So, after all the horror stories of exploding caps, I want to mention that a
few months ago, I removed each original capacitor from one of my Alpha 76A
amplifiers. It was fairly low time and had been sitting on the shelf. I
reformed each capacitor, measured the capacitance, and they were all within
factory specs. I then formed each one, working up to 450 volts, the rated
voltage. Each one had very low leakage. ESR on each one tested as good as
new. So, I put them back into the Alpha. I was also surprised that the
original carbon composition resistors were each within tolerance and quite
close to each other.
I could have installed new capacitors, but after passing all these tests, I
did not hesitate to reinstall them into the amplifier. Heat contributes
greatly to the aging process.
Unless I was comfortable with the results of these tests, I would have
replaced them. I own and fly an old wood aircraft. Things get replaced if
they need replacing - but if they are still good, they do not get replaced.
73, Colin K7FM
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