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Old 04-19-2007, 11:52 AM
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Phil Nelson Phil Nelson is offline
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It is fine to replace a multi-section can electrolytic with separate caps. Disconnect the old caps completely, rather than wiring in parallel with them.

Some times there is enough space under the chassis to install the new caps there. You can add a little terminal strip to provide mounting points, or some times you can wire point to point and secure the new cap with a little plastic tie. Carefully insulate the new connections, in any case.

If there is not enough room under the chassis, then you can remove the can and use that space to mount the new caps. This changes the appearance, but not everyone cares about that. Again, find some way to secure the caps. Don't leave them flopping around on the ends of their leads.

If you want to preserve the original appearance, you can remove the can, remove the innards, "restuff" it with new capacitors, and reinstall it on the chassis. You can cut off the bottom of the can with a Dremel tool or hacksaw. Then screw a big wood screw into the innards, heat the can with a heat gun, and pull out the softened guts. After you make up the new caps to fit inside (make the leads long enough!), you can fill any empty space with cardboard and hot glue, then glue the can bottom back on with JB Weld or other epoxy.

Regarding ground connections, look carefully at how the originals are connected. Some can electrolytics are grounded to the chassis. In others, the negative lead of the cap is connected to something else. It makes a difference!

Phil Nelson
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