When to change Filter Capacitors?

[blackba]

I am glad you heard a difference with the new caps. I had the same experience when I recapped my BF Champ I use to own.

 

[idnotbe]

i'd like to check the filter cap in my amp.
the amp is a bit looser in the bottom end i suspect the caps.

btw, how can i check them with my multimeter, if they have "3" leads like the above pics?

 

[blackba]

On a multi section cap, one will be a common, the other two are the positive for each cap section.

Check out the Blue ESR meter, very useful. https://anatekinstruments.com/products/ ... gL7f_D_BwE

Many DMM's can measure the capacitance, but that doesn't necessarily tell you that the cap is good.

 

[maddnotez]

Holy Necro.....

I need to have my amp sent off to Bogner at some point. My filter caps have the bulge on top and the amp is over 15 years old.

The loose thing gets me though. My low end is massive and tight. I can't imagine how it would sound if new caps make it bigger and tighter.

 

[CrazyNutz]

Holy Necro.....

I need to have my amp sent off to Bogner at some point. My filter caps have the bulge on top and the amp is over 15 years old.

The loose thing gets me though. My low end is massive and tight. I can't imagine how it would sound if new caps make it bigger and tighter.

Many of the larger radials have a plastic disk on the top that warps/convexes due to the shrink wrap putting pressure on it. Therefor if your caps have that plastic disk, they may be fine and just that disk creating the bulge.

General rule is about 15 years so may not be a bad idea to have them replaced anyways.

 

[CrazyNutz]

i'd like to check the filter cap in my amp.
the amp is a bit looser in the bottom end i suspect the caps.

btw, how can i check them with my multimeter, if they have "3" leads like the above pics?

To really check you'll need to remove the cap out of the circuit. Some testers can test ESR & Capacitance in circuit but not always giving you correct results.

How old are the caps? Are they bulging, leaking, have brown shit coming out? What Amp is this?

 

[glip22]

I don't like the F$T's, I prefer ARS caps over all of them. Many will argue caps will not affect your tone. I did A/B tests and I disagree with that way of thinking. F$T gave my tone a grainy sound. The ARS sounded closest to the earlier LCRs. I have done at least 15 cap jobs with ARS and never had one issue

 

[CrazyNutz]

I don't like the F$T's, I prefer ARS caps over all of them. Many will argue caps will not affect your tone. I did A/B tests and I disagree with that way of thinking. F$T gave my tone a grainy sound. The ARS sounded closest to the earlier LCRs. I have done at least 15 cap jobs with ARS and never had one issue

I can vouch for this ^^^ exact same experience. I'll almost take any cap over F&T. The ARS caps are great. Just call them and order what you need. I wish they would get their act together and get an online ordering system up.

 

[blackba]

Interesting, always been pleased with F&T caps, but I am usually replacing some pretty spent caps, so haven't done AB comparisons.