Subj : Re: Capacitors in older machines
To   : Mike Powell
From : Bryn Hopkins
Date : Thu Oct 01 2026 04:16 pm

  Re: Re: Capacitors in older machines
  By: Mike Powell to Sean Dennis on Sun Sep 27 2026 14:51:50

 > SD>  MP> Don't all capacitors eventually leak or pop, or do they
 > SD>  MP> actually make "higher quality" ones that don't?
 > SD> If they are electrolytic capacitors, they run a risk,
 > SD> especially liquid aluminum electrolytiuc capacitors.  Solid
 > SD> state capacitors, such as ceramic, film, and solid polymer
 > SD> capacitors, cannot leak or pop.
 > Good to know the difference.  I was not aware there was one until reading 
the responses here.
From experience -- larger electrolytics tend to fail when power is first 
applied to them after months of no use--cycling power on and off to them, 
especially those in a power supply, will tend to make them leak or pop when
coming up for the first time. Extremely large electrolytics (not what you'd 
find in a vintage computer) are supposed to be "formed" first before use with a 
slow ramp up of voltage to the regular operating voltage after nonuse for 
months or their first usage for this reason.

xo
Bryn
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