Erie "Metalac" 63 V Metallised Film Capacitor Data? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Chris55000 · 5th Aug 2025, 4:00 pm

. . .Has anyone got a part no. list for these two Erie "Metalac" ML30 Metallised Film Axial Capacitors please?

. . .There are two of these on this "Trigger/T.B./Sweep Delay" Veroboard 3 on this Home Built Oscilloscope, and the value and voltage rating have rubbed off both of them!

. . .One has the part no. "ML30 GB204K" and the other has the part no. "ML30 GB208K"

Chris Williams

John KC0G · 7th Aug 2025, 2:18 pm

From a Google search using the search term < ML30 "GB208K" > produced pictures at an auction site that show that the device is 0.47uF, or 470nF, 63 Volts.

Hopefully that gets you started. You could try measuring that and the other one, and seeing what values you get, and whether they make any sense.

Some Google searching led me to believe that these capacitors were introduced by A.H. Hunt (Capacitors) Ltd. around 1963. They were later bought by Erie. You can find some history of the British capacitor industry at https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1756

For some background on these capacitors see https://groups.io/g/RacalRA17forum/topic/hunts_capacitors/85419587\
and scroll down. They were mentioned in an article by Cyril Batemena in the May 1988 Wireless World. They used a metallised polycarbonate dielectric film.

Also see https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1331640&nojs=1 for a link to Bateman's article.

HTH and 73, John KC0G/M0KCY

Chris55000 · 16th Aug 2025, 10:48 am

. . .Thanks John!

. . .That does indeed sort out my query – I can mark the rating on the circuit I'm drawing out and the type in the Parts List to be compiled now!

. . .Mods, this Thread can be closed as solved now!

Chris Williams

5th Aug 2025, 4:00 pm	#1
Chris55000 Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walsall Wood, Aldridge, Walsall, UK. Posts: 3,619	Erie "Metalac" 63 V Metallised Film Capacitor Data? . . .Has anyone got a part no. list for these two Erie "Metalac" ML30 Metallised Film Axial Capacitors please? . . .There are two of these on this "Trigger/T.B./Sweep Delay" Veroboard 3 on this Home Built Oscilloscope, and the value and voltage rating have rubbed off both of them! . . .One has the part no. "ML30 GB204K" and the other has the part no. "ML30 GB208K" Chris Williams Attached Thumbnails __________________ It's an enigma, that's what it is! This thing's not fixed because it doesn't want to be fixed!

7th Aug 2025, 2:18 pm	#2
John KC0G Hexode Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Posts: 323	Re: Erie "Metalac" 63 V Metallised Film Capacitor Data? From a Google search using the search term < ML30 "GB208K" > produced pictures at an auction site that show that the device is 0.47uF, or 470nF, 63 Volts. Hopefully that gets you started. You could try measuring that and the other one, and seeing what values you get, and whether they make any sense. Some Google searching led me to believe that these capacitors were introduced by A.H. Hunt (Capacitors) Ltd. around 1963. They were later bought by Erie. You can find some history of the British capacitor industry at https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1756 For some background on these capacitors see https://groups.io/g/RacalRA17forum/topic/hunts_capacitors/85419587\ and scroll down. They were mentioned in an article by Cyril Batemena in the May 1988 Wireless World. They used a metallised polycarbonate dielectric film. Also see https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1331640&nojs=1 for a link to Bateman's article. HTH and 73, John KC0G/M0KCY

16th Aug 2025, 10:48 am	#3
Chris55000 Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walsall Wood, Aldridge, Walsall, UK. Posts: 3,619	Re: Erie "Metalac" 63 V Metallised Film Capacitor Data? . . .Thanks John! . . .That does indeed sort out my query – I can mark the rating on the circuit I'm drawing out and the type in the Parts List to be compiled now! . . .Mods, this Thread can be closed as solved now! Chris Williams __________________ It's an enigma, that's what it is! This thing's not fixed because it doesn't want to be fixed!