[Amps] best choice HV caps..if you can find them

la7sl Nils Petter la7sl at norgespost.no
Mon Feb 8 04:52:36 PST 2010


The best choice you can make when it comes to HV filter caps
are the MP types.  These are made from either metalized paper (old types)
or some sort of metalized plastic foil stacked or rolled up to proper size.
These units are not small !  But they are (most of them ) self repairing !
This means that if you get an internal breakdown/flashthrough  they will just
burn away part of the metalization around the burnt hole in the foil on the next
restart. The result is a capacitor with a very slight capacity reduction.
To do this you need a transformer/ rectifier combination with a low internal
resistance to be abble to supply the necessary "burn" current. Most good
PSU designs will handle this. (disengage soft start in this case..)
In service the stored energy in the cap is usually sufficient to do the "burn" immediately
on fault...and all you will notice is a little power " glitch" unless you have very fast
protection circuits.
I have two of these units marked "Bosch MP " in an old homebrew amp i made here a long time ago.
They are 4500V  8uF units. Cylindrical metal cans abt. 12 inces long and 4 inches in dia !!!
Fitted with HV ceramic  connectors. Also marked "tropenfest" ---meaning rated for
tropical conditions in temp and humidity.... They are virtually indestructible !
If you ever come across something like this : Grab them and keep them !! They are pure gold for
any HV PSU builder !
Peter


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