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Registered Member #3637
Joined: Fri Jan 21 2011, 11:07PM
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1068
Hey there;
I have a subwoofer amplifier sound thingie for my computer that puts out 3.1 sound (2 front speakers, and a subwoofer; but the speakers can "fake" surround sound pretty well).
I've noticed when I plug my headphones into the speaker, the 60 hz hum is rather noticeable, and rather annoying. The whole amplifier setup is from 2000, is it perhaps time to open her up and do some replacing/repairs? I haven't noticed anything else wrong with it, other than a loud thump whenever I turn it off/on.
Registered Member #162
Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 10:25AM
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 3140
Electrolytic capacitors have a specified operating life of 1,000 to 10,000 hours at rated temperature, 1,000 hours is equivalent to 5 hours a day for 200 days! even 10,000 hours is 5 hours per day for 5.5 years.
Most electrolytics last much longer than the above as they are not run at rated temperature.
It is worth un-soldering the capacitors and looking for signs of leakage on the pcb as the electrolyte eats copper traces quickly.
A good indication of leakage is a 'fishy' smell when desoldering them.
Since I have access to one, I use an esr meter to judge the 'goodness' of electrolytics,
Registered Member #543
Joined: Tue Feb 20 2007, 04:26PM
Location: UK
Posts: 4992
Shelf or storage life can become an issue with so-called 'New old stock' (NOS) aluminium electrolytics, and those salvaged from equipment long out of use.
"Aluminum electrolytic capacitors stored for more than 5 to 10 years may have increased levels of DC leakage current. Check if DCL meets application requirements before placing in service. Recondition high DCL units by applying rated voltage through 1,000 resistor for 30 minutes"
"Storage. Leakage current will increase during extended storage. Capacitors should be stored in temperatures not to exceed +40°C and protected from direct exposure to sunlight. Under normal conditions, storage life can exceed 10 years. It is recommended that the leakage current be checked for conformance to the specified limit if the capacitor has been stored for four years or more. Storage may require reforming of the capacitor to reduce leakage current below the specified limit. This can be accomplished by applying rated voltage in series with a 1000 resistor for a time period of 30 ~ 60 minutes. The capacitor is acceptable for use if the capacitor leakage current is within the original specified limit or the capacitor is reformed to within the original specified limit."
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At what point do electrolytics go "bad"?
