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Electrolytic capacitor replacement

I want to swap out a couple of electrolytic caps with higher quality caps, also electrolytic. The ones I am looking at are all physically bigger than the ones I am replacing, and consequently the leads don’t fit the board. The rubicon’s I want to bin are have a diameter of around 3/4’ and the caps I’m considering are between 1’ and 2’. The big issue I have is the lead spacing.

I’m considering using a spacer between the pc board and the cap giving enough room for the leads to bend enough to fit the board. I have space on the board to fit a larger cap, but not enough to mount the caps on their side. The caps new will need to sit “upright”.

Id appreciate it if somebody has figured an eloquent solution for this.

Thanks
pauly
pauly OP
1,012 posts
 
@grannyring 

I’ve taken a peek inside my 2A3 monos, and over there I have all the space in the world for cathode bypass caps. I was wondering if you have tried Solen PB caps for cathode bypass? 
I’m thinking they’re film, which beats an electrolytic all day long, and they’re very inexpensive. Size is not a problem. 
erik_squires
16,614 posts
 
Pauly,

Please make sure you measure the ESR and compensate accordingly.  Lowering the ESR, especially with caps that go towards the ground (even order filter components, zobel, etc. ) have have a significant impact on the impedance curve.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,597 posts
 
This is for an amplifier. I have replaced those Solen caps before. I have never liked Solen caps however. They are OK in a power supply, but they are slow and dull sounding. Why not Clarity CSA?
pauly OP
1,012 posts
 
@grannyring

Why not Clarity CSA?

I wasn’t aware of the Clarity caps.


Honestly, after posting I saw VH makes both a 47uF ODAM and 47uF OIMP, so I had been thinking of going for one or the other. The Clarity is about half the price of the VH audio caps, so that’s probably the more sensible choice.




erik_squires
16,614 posts
 
Sorry I misread.  I dislike solens a great deal as well.  :)
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