Orange Drop Leads

[ValvElectric]

Hello all,
After using Orange Drop capacitors on various projects and seeing them used in professional builds, both with and without the crimped leads, it got me wondering.
Is there a "correct" way to shape the leads on Orange Drops?

[SilverFox]

Those crimped leads, if by that you mean the small "U" shaped bend near the component, that is there to cause the component to stand off the PC board during manufacturing.

On any components you bend the leads on, just make sure the bend is smooth so as not to stress the lead and far enough away from the component to allow for cooling and if you make a mistake, a chance to still use the part.

silverfox.

[ValvElectric]

Thanks for the advice, thats sort of what I had concluded.
So I guess that in the case of eyelet/turret boards the bend isn't really necessary as long as you can reshape them without getting the leads too bent out.
Unfortunately, it seems my latest batch of 6PS's seem to have more of a "V" than a "U".

[SilverFox]

Most of the problem on something like that, for me, is just the appearance. Can't stand to see some weird connection... If you want to straighten out the leads, use two needle nose pliers and pull on the lead in a manner to stretch it as you straighten it. Don't tweak it too much and give thought to the final lead path or you'll end up bending it too many times.

The particular lead style you end up with is determined by the item number. Subtle detail differences are found on pages like Mouser where it seems as though several components are the same yet a careful examination of the part description column will reveal the difference.

fox.

[Structo]

I usually take flat nose pliers and smash the crimp out of the lead and then bend the leads outwards.
They make them with straight leads as well as crimped leads.

Some guys use RTV or other silicone calk to glue the cap down to the board.
The theory is it helps prevent microphonics in the preamp by anchoring the cap to the board.

[TUBEDUDE]

The crimp helps to keep the proximal end of the lead from spreading out too much, and cracking the epoxy, when the leads are bent. That would let moisture into the cap.

[boots]

I always thought those crimped leads had something to do with allowing for thermal expansion/contraction, or strain relief?

[ValvElectric]

I always thought those crimped leads had something to do with allowing for thermal expansion/contraction, or strain relief?

That was kind of my initial theory as well, and I think that logic supports that shaping the leads was intended for strain relief and isolation from the circuit board. Though, at the same time I've found that there are some applications where the shaped leads can be less than ideal.