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Looking for leaded electrolytic capacitors
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Nichicon has discontinued a large part of their leaded capacitors. Their ULD, UHE, and others, are no longer available in small-value, radial types. I'm looking for good replacements for blown tantalums for values under 100uF, etc.
Anyone have suggestions as to what to look for now? Thanks, Barry - N4BUQ |
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is NOS ok or brand spanking new
On Sun, May 12, 2024 at 9:22?AM n4buq via groups.io <n4buq= [email protected]> wrote: Nichicon has discontinued a large part of their leaded capacitors. Their |
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I'm looking for new. To be a bit more specific, I'm looking for low impedance, low ESR, long life (>=5000 hours), and at least 105-degree radials to use on power rails.
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Thanks, Barry - N4BUQ is NOS ok or brand spanking new |
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I remember getting the EOL notices a couple years ago. I guess it's finally here. FWIW, they still have a few thousand in most of those UHE and values at Mouser. I still have plenty Nichicon in the bins so we'll see how long that lasts me.
I spend about 20% of the repair characterizing and sorting components before I start so I understand the predicament. I've been getting manufacturer sample kits to see if there's anything that impresses me. Here's what I've been preparing to transition to: Chemi-Con KYB Series: - The Good - All around excellent, Low Z, Long life, Lots of sub 100?F values, High ripple, good prices - The Bad - Once you get to 100V they become pricey Chemi-Con PSG: (Organic Polymer Caps) - The Good - Super low Z, Extremely long life, Similar price range, Excellent ESR! - The Bad - Kind of wonky values to what we're used to. Not much below 100?F. No high voltage. Chemi-Con KZN: - The Good - Low Z, Long life, Excellent ESR and high ripple, Many sub 100?F values - The Bad - Slightly pricier, Sub 100?F are ¡Ü5000 hours rated, Panasonic FR & FM Series: - The Good - Low Z, Excellent prices, all 105¡ãC, lots of sub 100?F options, Super low ESR - The Bad - Not much really. I think they're ugly, does that count? Cornell Dublier KXM & KBM Series: - The Good - Hits all the marks, low Z, low ESR, good price, lots of sub 100?F values, - The Bad - Also ugly, maybe uglier than the Panasonic. Otherwise, a fine cap. Barker-Microfarad - The Good - Everything, especially the 510D and made in USA! I thought my leakage tester was dead when I first sorted them. - The Bad - Impossible to acquire by hobbyists like myself. A friend who works in component ordering for Mitsubishi got me a stash. Also, they don't look cheap. (From the style of them, they must have acquired the licensing from Sprague or are Sprague or manufacture the Sprague line for Vishay. I'm not really sure but you'll know what I mean when you see them.) I'm sure there are many more. I might add I've been shying away from the Ruby's lately. They used to be another go to brand for me and many others. But during characterization, they tend to vary a lot more on my bench than the other brands here. It may be picky, but I don't like unpredictability. Regards, Drew |
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"is NOS ok or brand spanking new"
Great question! There are good reasons why a cap is spec'd for 85¡ãC or 105¡ãC, or 1000hrs or 5000hrs, or a shelf life of 10,000hrs or 100,000hrs. It goes well beyond the electrolyte formula. There's also the quality of the rubber seals, and the actual foil composition. Simply put, a low-spec NOS 85¡ãC cap is one you don't want to install after about 3-5 years on the shelf. Whereas a high-spec NOS 105¡ãC or 125¡ãC is generally good for about 10+ years on the shelf. Regarding brand-new - if it's a well-established series, then certainly preferable. But if it's a recently introduced series, I normally wait about 2-3 years before using them. I remember that I had serious problems with Panasonic FM's failing in the early years. That really surprised me, being a lifelong fan of Matsushita/Panasonic. No bulging, just capacitance decreasing and high ESR. No, they weren't fakes. I had a lot of comebacks, so I stopped using them for a couple of years. Later, I returned to using them with no problems. And Chemicon also had similar problems with a high-spec 105¡ãC KYx or KZx series - I don't remember which. So, crap happens even at the best people, and problems need time to be ironed out. Beyond that, on PSU power rails, you GENERALLY do NOT have to replace an old cap with the same numbers. For example, an old large 47uF can generally be replaced with a small 100uF or 220uF with no issues. (Perhaps that's why <100uF caps are becoming scarce now). The cap's voltage rating can be 2-3 times the actual circuit voltage with no issues. Of course, you should check and understand the actual circuit requirements, before making any decision to change the original ratings. Menahem Yachad www.condoraudio.com |
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Thank you, Drew. That's very good information and what I was looking for. Those Barker-Microfarad choices sure look good. Too bad they're not selling them through outlets such as Mouser, Digikey, etc. With Nichicon moving away from some of their lines, perhaps those outlets will look to Barker-Microfarad fill the void.
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Thanks again, Barry - N4BUQ I remember getting the EOL notices a couple years ago. I guess it's finally |
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My request for "new" is because I'd rather buy from a reputable source. I could probably still find some on other online sources but with all the "fake" items being reported, I'm just more comfortable with places like Mouser, Digikey, etc.
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Thanks, Barry - N4BUQ "is NOS ok or brand spanking new" |
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