Exploding MTH PS2 GG1

LDBennett posted:

John:

In my youth my hobby was photography. I took sports pictures for spending money during college. Since it was action based, a higher power electronic flash unit was necessary. The ones available in the 1960's used big electrolytic capacitors to store charge from a 300V (??) battery. If the unit sat unused for a week or more the electrolytic would not operate as a capacitor at all. One of my units had to be plugged into the wall for several hours so that the electrolytic capacitors could be "formed" in order to get to normal operation.

Yep, I remember it well.  The technology has hopefully improved, but the same issues are present for electrolytic capacitors, they do deteriorate over time.  I fire up my old 1930's antique radio every month or so to make sure it's still functional and to "exercise" the capacitors.

John, I alway enjoy reading your posts because I usually learn something.  I never even considered that there were different ways a capacitor could function.  To have someone that can explain an electrolytic capacitor is the icing on the cake!  Thanks

It is fairly common industry knowledge, so it's not like I have some special knowledge.   I remember learning this in the 60's, interesting how the design of electrolytic caps haven't changed as much as you might imagine.

But your so much more entertaining than a textbook John