Shelf life of a cap kit?

JC Arcade

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About 2 years ago i picked up a cap kit from Bob Roberts for a Kortek monitor I have. I ended up using a different monitor for the project, and the Kortek was put aside. Fast forward to today. Is the cap kit still "good"? Since the kit is only $5, I'm just going to order a new one, but I'm curious.
 
Caps do have a shelf life, but it's a heck of a lot longer than 2 years. Remember, the caps in your monitor lasted 20 years - in service!

-Ian
 
So what kind of life do they have if sitting in a plastic bag for say 6-7 years? I bought 1-2 extra G07 kits back then and then didn't get anymore games with a G07.
Jon
 
About 2 years ago i picked up a cap kit from Bob Roberts for a Kortek monitor I have. I ended up using a different monitor for the project, and the Kortek was put aside. Fast forward to today. Is the cap kit still "good"? Since the kit is only $5, I'm just going to order a new one, but I'm curious.

Yeap they ( the caps ) have all gone bad by now. I'll send you my address and I'll throw them away for you.

Thanks,

; )
 
Yeap they ( the caps ) have all gone bad by now. I'll send you my address and I'll properly dispose of them for you.
;)

I don't know that you could ever put an "exact" shelf life on something like caps. The general storage conditions will make a difference as well as the original quality of the caps.
ie Storing them in a hot dry place versus a climate controlled place is going to shorten their shelf life. But I don't think 6-7 years is going to make all that much difference really.
 
please peps caps not being used are good forever.They only go bad when you use them.common sence sometimes does not work for some peps!

-ALL- electrolytic caps dry out over time. They just dry out faster when in use (current across internal resistance causes heat which dries them out quicker).

Awhile back before I was buying caps direct, I bought some electrolytics for my own use from Jameco. These puppies had 1978 date codes on them...more than 20 years old at the time. These are good for paper weights and nothing more.
 
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;)

I don't know that you could ever put an "exact" shelf life on something like caps. The general storage conditions will make a difference as well as the original quality of the caps.
ie Storing them in a hot dry place versus a climate controlled place is going to shorten their shelf life. But I don't think 6-7 years is going to make all that much difference really.

There have been many studies on these over the years and it comes down to type of cap, size of cap, quality of cap, temperature, and a myriad of other factors (like you said).
From what I remember for our company (military contracts), any caps on the shelf over 5 years old must be 'reformed' and tested. Any caps on shelf over 10 years were to be discarded.
 
Caps #1 killer. . . .prolonged exposure to heat from use (meaning years and years of heat from use/playing) I have games with original caps from 1986, but they are well ventilated, and Im guessing they got plenty of more left in them.

Your caps are fine. Keep them clean, free of accumulated dust, in a well ventilated cab, and you'll have years of worry free trouble.
 
What's the process of "reforming" a cap?

Edward

To reform a cap -- hook up to an adjustable power supply through a series resistor. Gradually bring voltage up to the cap's working voltage then make sure the cap can hold a charge. Once voltage is up - measure voltage across resistor to make sure cap is charged (no voltage drop means no current flow = cap is charged...or open). If current doesn't stop flowing after ~5 minutes then cap is bad. Hold power supply at the working voltage for about 10-15 minutes (older the cap, longer the hold).
Be careful... some old caps tend to pop during reformation.

Ed
 
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