Anyone used these film caps?

[pompeiisneaks]

For power filtering?

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/EP ... ARRw%3D%3D

They're pricey but since they're film, they should last a long time... I'm thinking they'd be good like those others we've had here before?

~Phil

[thetragichero]

pricy is right. and heavy! almost a pound apiece

[roberto]

Film caps yes, not those specific ones.
They last forever plus their impedance is very low at almost every frequency.
Is there anything specific that you would like to know?

[bal704]

I've used 2 different kinds of film caps in recent builds, but not that variety. Other than being fairly heavy and taking up more room, they seem to work just like traditional electrolytics.

What questions do you have?

[TUBEDUDE]

I use Solens inside the chassis and Obbligato caps if mounted externally.

[pompeiisneaks]

I'm thinking of using this type of film cap to replace elytics I didn't realize how big they were, though, ugh. the other ones I'd seen were dual leaded that look a lot like class x/y caps. but those were a bit different capacitance like 40uF I think...

I'm debating my next build. It might be the dumble modded bassman, and it needs a dual 100uF/350V cap setup... Was just thinking of making the electrolytic problem a thing of history, even though the cost is a bit more up front. (seems pretty close to double what you'd pay for two 100uF 350v elytics.

~Phil

[Bergheim]

I've used one of those earlier, but 40uF. They are enormous!

I'm using these nowadays. https://eu.mouser.com/ProductDetail/EPC ... e92A%3D%3D.
They don't take up too much space, and handles >800VDC, so no need for series caps with balancing resistors.
They are pricier, but they'll never dry out.

[bal704]

Those are the kind I'm using in my latest build. They are tall enough they won't fit in a blackface type build unless they are on the outside of the chassis or you mount them sideways. I'm doing a tweed type, and using a taller chassis. I ended up using tie wraps to secure them, because I wasn't comfortable with them just being held on by the solder pins.

I used some short/wide types on a previous build (don't remember the brand at the moment). They easily fit the height, but took up more real estate in the chassis.

Both types seem to work well for this application.

I've used one of those earlier, but 40uF. They are enormous!

I'm using these nowadays. https://eu.mouser.com/ProductDetail/EPC ... e92A%3D%3D.
They don't take up too much space, and handles >800VDC, so no need for series caps with balancing resistors.
They are pricier, but they'll never dry out.

[pompeiisneaks]

Oh cool, yeah I'd tried to find those ones, as I've seen them before but I wasn't getting them in 100uF. I found this one, seems to fit the bill, but is only 500V not 1k

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/EP ... jM%2F78%3D

~Phil

[pompeiisneaks]

Oh yeah your point almost slipped past me, I don't need 100uF there, I need 50uF there that can handle B+. So if there's a 50uF at >500V I'm good.

This one's 800V and seems perfect:
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/EP ... 9uN8PYs%3D

~Phil

[Leo_Gnardo]

FWIW I've used some Panasonic 30 uF 800V film caps scored from Newark / Element14 a few years ago at cheap closeout prices, like $4 - 5 each. They find their way mostly into 70's Ampegs that feature B+ beyond 500V. I can foresee using them in SVT repairs, also Musicman and maybe Univox amps with big B+ voltages. Since they're rectangular, that presents a problem in mounting. So far I've squeezed 'em into chassis corners, held in place with dollops of epoxy and bolstered by bits of hard insulation foam wedged between cap & chassis lip so they won't wander off if the epoxy fails. No problems so far!

Also note that high quality manufacturer Carr has been using Solen film caps for at least 20 years now. Not much chance their hi voltage filters will ever need replacement. Unlike electrolytics, the film caps ought to last indefinitely. Let's say, your great-grandkids will still be able to use your old amps assuming anyone's still interested in twanging a guitar or bass that far in the future.

[TUBEDUDE]

I scuff the solens and chassis w/ 220 grit, then clean w/ acetone before bedding in epoxy. No failures in 15 years.

[pompeiisneaks]

I haven't looked at solen's prices in the past, but I think I recalled them being very expensive. I get they're pretty high end super great quality, but that seems overkill for power filtering no?

I think they're worth it for a high end build in HiFi for coupling, tone stack or cathode bypass caps, but ....

I did decide to just look and a 47uF 600v is about 20$ so I think that's almost 3x the cost of the one I linked before...

But I'm open to feedback/correction

~Phil

[TUBEDUDE]

That's true, electro paste caps are cheap, and I'll grudgingly use them if there's no space in a chassis. Since I started making my own cabinets I can use chassis large enough to build without being forced to use the cheap electro paste caps. But my customers value building more to a reliability and tone standard than a price point so cheap components begone!

[pompeiisneaks]

That's true, electro paste caps are cheap, and I'll grudgingly use them if there's no space in a chassis. Since I started making my own cabinets I can use chassis large enough to build without being forced to use the cheap electro paste caps. But my customers value building more to a reliability and tone standard than a price point so cheap components begone!

I'm not sure how TDK Epcos caps would be considered 'cheap components' these are film capacitors not electro paste. Or am I missing something else you're referring to?

~Phil