Electrolytic life

[ctsbillc]

1000 hours not a mistake, but this would be big electrolytics when running
maximum ripple current at high temperatures.

small ones last much longer, but still dry out over the years.

Bill

From: "CWatters" <colin.watters@pandoraBOX.be>
Subject: Re: Replace tantalum caps with aluminium?
Date: December 3, 2003 5:48 AM

Electrolytics can have low lifetime specifications. I once saw a some with a
spec of only 1000 hours. Thats about 41 days! Must have been a mistake?

 

[Robert Baer]

ctsbillc wrote:

1000 hours not a mistake, but this would be big electrolytics when running
maximum ripple current at high temperatures.

small ones last much longer, but still dry out over the years.

Bill

From: "CWatters" <colin.watters@pandoraBOX.be
Subject: Re: Replace tantalum caps with aluminium?
Date: December 3, 2003 5:48 AM

Electrolytics can have low lifetime specifications. I once saw a some with a
spec of only 1000 hours. Thats about 41 days! Must have been a mistake?

I have seen some of the wet aluminum electrolytics from the 30s last
up to 20 years, and the dry ones could usually be recuperated for anothe
10+ years.
The more modern dry aluminum electrolytics, if used within ratings,
appear to be about as good.
OTOH, there have been numerous cases where tantalums (both wet and
dry) destroyed themselves and/or gave serious problems (short
circuit,ususally); due mainly to poor controls during manufacturing.