Zenith 'Lytics Caps NOS

[bigaudioal]

This seller has some nice NOS Zenith parts, including NOS Electrolytic Caps and fuses (all Zenith) . . .

Worth a look if you need them.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/buggybandit/...p2047675.l2562

[Jon A.]

It is my understanding that even NOS caps go bad faster if they're sitting unused for years and years. Looked like a few caps started leaking in a NOS Ford Pinto/Mercury Bobcat 8-track stereo about 3 or 4 years back when I decided to throw caution to the wind and apply full power right away. I didn't have a variable-rate transformer anyway.

[Phil Nelson]

Old electrolytic capacitors go bad with age whether they're sitting on a shelf or used in a TV. These would only have value if you wanted to hollow out the cans and "restuff" them with new capacitors. But you normally just use the cans already in your TV. Save the $9.99 and spend it on some other parts that actually work.

Some people try to "re-form" old electrolytics, but that's a crapshoot at best when you're talking about caps that are 50 or 60 years old.

Phil Nelson

[Celt]

NOS caps? About like buying NOS batteries.

[bigaudioal]

I was posting if someone was looking for the cans more than anything. I know the insides age just like any other 'lytic caps from the period - used or un-used.

[Einar72]

I would thing sitting on a shelf would be better than sitting next to a hot 5U4 day-in, day-out for decades...

[Findm-Keepm]

Originally Posted by Einar72

I would thing sitting on a shelf would be better than sitting next to a hot 5U4 day-in, day-out for decades...

Very true - NOS caps that have been sitting on a shelf suffer only the dielectric absorption that is often (not always) cured with a reforming. I built a reforming unit in 1990 using the plans in a Mil-standard document I got through the Navy. I've got a couple dozen NOS caps, all unused, with terrific ESR and leakage specs - and they date from the 1980s. By comparison, some new 450V 'lytics I got from a dealer in Canada were bad when I received them - high leakage and out-of-spec ESR. Mallory and it's clones are the best - Sprague TVLs never held up in my experience - someone over on ARF claims they suffer from corrosion within the unit.

Still, not know the genetics of the Zenith units in the auctions, I'd pass. I'd have to know they were Mallorys from the 80 or 90s to even consider them.

Cheers,

[Jon A.]

Originally Posted by bigaudioal

I was posting if someone was looking for the cans more than anything.

That makes sense. Helpful if someone had already re-capped a set and tossed the cans. Kind of pricey though.

Originally Posted by Celt

NOS caps? About like buying NOS batteries.

Someone actually did. Check this out:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/161065852644