Hi All,
I'm the process of recapping an old Philips stereogram.
Quick question, is it okay to replace a capacitor with a voltage value that is WAY WAY larger than the original?
Aka 160V replaced with 1600V.

Keeping the farad value the same!

Non polar PP film caps in question.

Thanks

You should edit your thread title to say 1600V.

When dealing with electrolytics I generally aim to get close to the original for reason of space and cost.

In your case I don't think you'll have an issue.

http://www.niccomp.com/help/capsubguide.asp.

Title updated.

The working voltage rating shouldn't matter providing it is above what is actually pumped into the condenser.

Sorry about the incorrect title.

Thanks for the info as well.

Good to get that sorted out - I was able to find a lot of examples of replacing a 4v with a 10v and a 160v with a 200v but nothing in the realms of 10x the voltage.

Out of interest, if cost and space weren't an issue, could I replace a 4v cap with a 1600v cap (provided the farad value stays the same)?

Where are all these 1600V caps appearing from? You can replace with a higher voltage value, but the capacity is the most critical.

Whilst modern electrolytic caps have evolved with new materials & better tolerances. The positive element requires a leakage current to maintain the oxide that is the insulator. It has been policy to keep close to the maximum voltage applied to it, for that reason

Sourced from www.1600vcap.com... where else?!
No its just the highest value I've had to replace with and fits my examples the best.

So the replacement cap can be of too higher voltage with electrolytics?

I think the largest jump I've had to make was the 160V to 1600V which by all accounts seems fine with PP film caps.

Thanks

The only cap that would warrant a cap of that voltage is a plate bypass on output valves. The most common replacements for wax paper types & the ones I keep the most stocks of are 630V. The next most common below that are 100V Green caps.

Electrolytics voltages tend to be dependent on their position. Transistor sets often use them as coupling capacitors and these are starting to fail in early sets.

Valve sets use them as bypass caps on cathodes and sometimes bypass of the back bias, where used (& Philips often did; I have one on the bench where they did).

The most extensive use of Electrolytic's in Valve sets is in filtering of the power supplies. The lower voltage ones tend to be on heater rectifiers and the ones approaching twice B+ on filament, silicon diode, or selenium rectifiers, due to the surge prior to valves coming into conduction.

Hi,
Thanks again for the replies.
All good info.
I realise that 1600V is excessive when replacing a 160v or 400v but they were the only capacitors I was able to easily source for a number of the farad values.
It's good to know it won't lead to any harm.

Thanks

You may be looking at the wrong source.

EVATCO has the majority of values in 630VDC ones. but not a full range in Mica. RS components next bet for them, however you can often sub a ceramic EVATCO is one of the only ones that I have seen for 2 &3 Watt resistors for cathodes etc.

Steve Savell also has caps etc. There are others. Places like Jaycar have tended to moved away from HV caps.

Do not use anything lower than 1Watt on B+. Not for the wattage: But for the voltage rating.

Those all have web sites.

As I repair, I work differently. I keep stocks of that which is common and little, or no stock of that which is uncommon, or I can get off the shelf locally.

Hi,
Had always previously used Farnell so just went with them (now Element14) for this project.
The companies listed above look great.

Thanks

http://www.justradios.com/orderinfo.html.

is another source if you want to buy in bulk.
He is in Canada, but great service if you cant get locally

Has anyone heard from Steve Savell and Radio Revival Parts lately? The website does not work and I need some Electrolytics.

He's finishing up with radio parts I think.

Steve has been an excellent supplier of condensers and other good bits and pieces over the years but sales are not sufficient enough to make his venture viable unfortunately.

I've bought hundreds of condensers off him over the years plus a few radios, dial glasses, badges, back boards and more. All top quality too.

Without people like Steve, who have taken risks associated with running a business, we are left with joining clubs to obtain rare parts and things shouldn't be restricted this way.

Steve's domain is still registered in his name though the website seems to be replaced with something that doesn't load correctly.

His posted phone number has been disconnected also. He was trying to sell the business, maybe someone bought out his stocks? Yes, he was a quality merchant. Does anyone know how to contact him?

He still has some stuff on Ebay. You could send him a message through the questions section in one of the listings.