Sprague TO-5 TEL-OHMIKE Capacitor Analyzer - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

chunnybh · 26th May 2014, 11:58 am

Hello,
Just got this capacitor tester. I've read it is very handy for reforming capacitors. Does anyone have any info or methods for reforming.
Thanks

Herald1360 · 26th May 2014, 6:20 pm

Nothing specific to that unit, but if it can feed a variable voltage up to the rated voltage to the capacitor whilst monitoring leakage current then it can be used for the job.

Start low and increase in say 10% stages as the leakage current falls back to low mA or even better uA figures. If it doesn't, the cap has had it. Check the capacitance is within tolerance after reforming- the other failure mode for electrolytics is drying out and losing capacity whilst being OK on leakage.

There's a user manual here: http://www.mcmlv.org/Archive/TestEqu...prague_TO5.pdf

if you don't have one.

I hope your magic eye is OK!

26th May 2014, 11:58 am	#1
chunnybh Pentode Join Date: May 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 112	Sprague TO-5 TEL-OHMIKE Capacitor Analyzer Hello, Just got this capacitor tester. I've read it is very handy for reforming capacitors. Does anyone have any info or methods for reforming. Thanks

26th May 2014, 6:20 pm	#2
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,536	Re: Sprague TO-5 TEL-OHMIKE Capacitor Analyzer Nothing specific to that unit, but if it can feed a variable voltage up to the rated voltage to the capacitor whilst monitoring leakage current then it can be used for the job. Start low and increase in say 10% stages as the leakage current falls back to low mA or even better uA figures. If it doesn't, the cap has had it. Check the capacitance is within tolerance after reforming- the other failure mode for electrolytics is drying out and losing capacity whilst being OK on leakage. There's a user manual here: http://www.mcmlv.org/Archive/TestEqu...prague_TO5.pdf if you don't have one. I hope your magic eye is OK! __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O Last edited by Herald1360; 26th May 2014 at 6:33 pm.