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Post subject: Forming Filter Caps
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 10:53 am
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Roadie
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I need to replace the filter caps in my Bandmaster Reverb. I get Sprague Atoms from a popular distributor who sells a lot of them. Do I really need to form them? I do not own a variac.


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Post subject: Re: Forming Filter Caps
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 11:17 am
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Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
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Location: Province de Québec, Canada
No .


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Post subject: Re: Forming Filter Caps
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 10:56 pm
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Professional Musician
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Agree with our Canadian Brother! These caps are quick-formed at the factory. So, if they're fresh, then OK. Also, the newer caps are self-healing. I will say that, I bring new electrolytics up slowly on a variac. But that is still a random way of doing it. A dim light in series is a good short-cut method. The best and most tedious is the amperage trickle method. But all of that effort, is only like fine tuning a hot rod engine! JMHO! Art

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Post subject: Re: Forming Filter Caps
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 1:53 am
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+1 aclempoppi

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Post subject: Re: Forming Filter Caps
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 3:54 pm
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Ramping up any amp which you've changed the main filter caps is a good idea. Not to form or re-form the caps, but as a way to be sure you didn't wire the caps improperly. The lamp-bulb trick is a great and cheap way to do this. Avoid disasters like the photo Arjay posted.

http://www.vintage-radio.com/projects/lamp-limiter.html


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Post subject: Re: Forming Filter Caps
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 8:21 pm
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Professional Musician
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Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:53 pm
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Location: Harvard IL
Yeah, for sure Beemer!!! From that point of view, the dim light method is a great idea. Besides firing up filter caps, the dim light is a good tool when chasing short circuit problems. JMO, Art

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Post subject: Re: Forming Filter Caps
Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 11:22 am
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Roadie
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My Lord! Looks like the 4th of July, probably sounded like it too.


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