All electrolytics need power at least every couple years. The
electrolyte eats away at the insulation layer formed after they are
assembled. So they go downhill continuously while not powered. That
forming by applying voltage creates the thin insulation layer that
allows them to be compact. Some would say the miniature electrolytics
need power at least annually.
There are many miniature electrolytics throughout the radio that
probably would allow better performance if replaced with new capacitors
chosen for lowest ESR available. Sometimes I've bought new low cost
capacitors that had a higher ESR or power factor on my capacitor checker
than I could accept. So the cheapest are not a bargain. I prefer to read
the date code and accept no electrolytics more than a year old.
In theory, its possible to reform old electrolytics. Clean just one that
has exploded out of a radio and you won't want to reform any more. Been
there, done that, cleaned up the mess.
73, Jerry, K0CQ
On 4/7/2011 8:53 PM, CSM(r) Gary Huber wrote:
> I had a lot of display problems during the years my Corsair II was not used
> much. After re-capping the display board back in the late nineties and using
> the Corsair II as my PSK-31 radio almost daily for past ten years, I have
> not had the problem. Maybe C6 needs power on it. Replace it and use the
> Corsair II, its still a great radio!
>
>
> 73 es DX,
>
> Gary - AB9M
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Don Rasmussen
> Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 8:17 PM
> To: tentec@contesting.com
> Subject: [TenTec] Corsair - blank LED segments
>
> There are so many caps just like C6 in the Corsair II, yet it seems to be a
> universal culprit. Wondering if there is some reason why that specific part
> is being abnormally stressed?
>
> =====================================
>
> And you jiggled the connections. No doubt C6 is highly suspect and cause
> of many display problems. It probably should be replaced before it goes
> completely bad to save on future failures.
>
> 73, Jerry, K0CQ
>
>
>
>
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