17 Mar
2005
17 Mar
'05
6:56 p.m.
Good point. I knew they weren't wired right
across a DC output of a
supply, so the variac approach won't work, but I didn't think about
the use of AC capacitors. I don't think it's possible to reform
AC electrolytics at all, but I'm not an expert on such things.
Motor start capacitors tend to be far more beefy* than filter caps, so I
would doubt any of them would ever need reforming, unless they are REALLY
pushing the age envelope (as in 100 years). I have never heard of nor have
seen a motor start cap blow due to "deforming" (although I have seen some
blow due to bad seals at the lugs, making either moisture get in or
dielectric get out. That is a different failure mode, however.), and I
have been around quite a lot of old motor start caps. If the caps looks
good (look at the seals), it very likely is good.
*Due to the harsh electrical environment they tend to be subjected to.
William Donzelli
aw288 at osfn.org