Replacement Filter Cap Recommendation

[Frank[_12_]]

Hi all.

I've decided to replace the 20 year old filter caps in my Kinergetics SW200
subwoofer amp/crossover. Currently, there are two (2) screw terminal Phillips
10,000uf 75V caps measuring 3.5" high with a radius of 2".

Any recs on a current, fast replacement cap would be appreciated.

Also, would there be any advantages to going with a higher capacitance rating or
should I stick with 10K? Thanks.

[Audio Empire]

On Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:48:02 -0800, Frank wrote
(in article >):

> Hi all.
>
> I've decided to replace the 20 year old filter caps in my Kinergetics SW200
> subwoofer amp/crossover. Currently, there are two (2) screw terminal
> Phillips
> 10,000uf 75V caps measuring 3.5" high with a radius of 2".
>
> Any recs on a current, fast replacement cap would be appreciated.
>
> Also, would there be any advantages to going with a higher capacitance rating

> or
> should I stick with 10K? Thanks.
>

Generally, the component values chosen in a crossover determine that
crossover's characteristics. Installing larger caps will likely (I don't know
this for sure, not having seen the schematic), if they are crossover caps,
change the frequency at which the crossover occurs. On the other hand, it is
more likely that these caps are electrolytics used in the subwoofer
amplifier's power supply as filters. Are you changing them because the amp is
humming or misbehaving in some other way? Because if the subs are working
normally, there is no reason to change them. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[Arny Krueger]

"Frank" > wrote in message

> Hi all.
>
> I've decided to replace the 20 year old filter caps in my
> Kinergetics SW200 subwoofer amp/crossover. Currently,
> there are two (2) screw terminal Phillips 10,000uf 75V
> caps measuring 3.5" high with a radius of 2".

Why?

Have you diagnosed a problem with this unit?

> Any recs on a current, fast replacement cap would be
> appreciated.

http://www.mouser.com/Search/Refine.aspx?FS=TRUE&N=12013595+4294626200+1323043

> Also, would there be any advantages to going with a
> higher capacitance rating or should I stick with 10K?
> Thanks.

What are your priorities?

[Frank[_12_]]

In article >, says...
>
>On Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:48:02 -0800, Frank wrote
>(in article >):
>
>> Hi all.
>>
>> I've decided to replace the 20 year old filter caps in my Kinergetics SW200
>> subwoofer amp/crossover. Currently, there are two (2) screw terminal
>> Phillips
>> 10,000uf 75V caps measuring 3.5" high with a radius of 2".
>>
>> Any recs on a current, fast replacement cap would be appreciated.
>>
>> Also, would there be any advantages to going with a higher capacitance rating
>
>> or
>> should I stick with 10K? Thanks.
>>
>
>Generally, the component values chosen in a crossover determine that
>crossover's characteristics. Installing larger caps will likely (I don't know
>this for sure, not having seen the schematic), if they are crossover caps,
>change the frequency at which the crossover occurs. On the other hand, it is
>more likely that these caps are electrolytics used in the subwoofer
>amplifier's power supply as filters. Are you changing them because the amp is
>humming or misbehaving in some other way? Because if the subs are working
>normally, there is no reason to change them. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The bass is not as tight as it used to be but still sounds very good and a hum has
developed, but you need to be very close to the drivers to hear it. The hum was
never there before and considering the 20 year old age, I just think it's time to
refresh the caps. I find it hard to believe that 20 year old electro caps are still
performing up to spec. Thanks.

[Audio Empire]

On Mon, 1 Mar 2010 18:49:04 -0800, Frank wrote
(in article >):

> In article >,
says...
>>
>> On Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:48:02 -0800, Frank wrote
>> (in article >):
>>
>>> Hi all.
>>>
>>> I've decided to replace the 20 year old filter caps in my Kinergetics
>>> SW200
>>> subwoofer amp/crossover. Currently, there are two (2) screw terminal
>>> Phillips
>>> 10,000uf 75V caps measuring 3.5" high with a radius of 2".
>>>
>>> Any recs on a current, fast replacement cap would be appreciated.
>>>
>>> Also, would there be any advantages to going with a higher capacitance
>>> rating
>>
>>> or
>>> should I stick with 10K? Thanks.
>>>
>>
>> Generally, the component values chosen in a crossover determine that
>> crossover's characteristics. Installing larger caps will likely (I don't
>> know
>> this for sure, not having seen the schematic), if they are crossover caps,
>> change the frequency at which the crossover occurs. On the other hand, it
>> is
>> more likely that these caps are electrolytics used in the subwoofer
>> amplifier's power supply as filters. Are you changing them because the amp
>> is
>> humming or misbehaving in some other way? Because if the subs are working
>> normally, there is no reason to change them. If it ain't broke, don't fix
>> it.
>
> The bass is not as tight as it used to be but still sounds very good and a
> hum has
> developed, but you need to be very close to the drivers to hear it. The hum
> was
> never there before and considering the 20 year old age, I just think it's
> time to
> refresh the caps. I find it hard to believe that 20 year old electro caps
> are still
> performing up to spec. Thanks.
>

Well, it's possible. But my experience is that old electrolytics dry out with
disuse, not while being used all the time. OTOH, if the hum is caused by
leaky caps, replacing them CAN solve the problem (assuming it's not something
else). Yes, you can use larger value ones than are called for without much
problem. Theoretically, you are supposed to put multiple, parallel filter
caps with a resistor between them to form a classic "pi" filter with the
filter frequency as some multiple of 50-60 Hz (depending on whether a
half-wave of full-wave rectifier is used in the circuit ,IIRC), but I have
found it to not be that critical.

[Arny Krueger]

"Frank" > wrote in message


> The bass is not as tight as it used to be but still
> sounds very good and a hum has developed, but you need to
> be very close to the drivers to hear it. The hum was
> never there before...

Ah, a distinct symptom!

On the outside chance that the new hum is due to an enviromental situation
(e.g., change to grounding such as indirect connection to cable antenna
system), check to see how much hum the subwoofer amp has with no input
attached.

> and considering the 20 year old age, I
> just think it's time to refresh the caps.

20 years is not necessarily the bell tolling for a well-made electrolytic
cap.

> I find it hard
> to believe that 20 year old electro caps are still
> performing up to spec.

Maybe yes, maybe no.

I've seen a ton of well-made equipment meet spec after 20-30 years.

[sparky]

On Mar 1, 9:49=A0pm, (Frank) wrote:
> In article >, says...
>
> >On Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:48:02 -0800, Frank wrote
> >(in article >):
>
> >> Hi all.
>
> >> I've decided to replace the 20 year old filter caps in my Kinergetics SW200
> >> subwoofer amp/crossover. Currently, there are two (2) screw terminal
> >> Phillips 10,000uf 75V caps measuring 3.5" high with a radius of 2".
>
> >> Any recs on a current, fast replacement cap would be appreciated.
>
> >> Also, would there be any advantages to going with a higher capacitance rating
> >> or should I stick with 10K? Thanks.
>
> >Generally, the component values chosen in a crossover determine that
> >crossover's characteristics. Installing larger caps will likely (I don't know
> >this for sure, not having seen the schematic), if they are crossover caps,
> >change the frequency at which the crossover occurs. On the other hand, it is
> >more likely that these caps are electrolytics used in the subwoofer
> >amplifier's power supply as filters. Are you changing them because the amp is
> >humming or misbehaving in some other way? Because if the subs are working
> >normally, there is no reason to change them. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
>
> The bass is not as tight as it used to be but still sounds very good and a hum has
> developed, but you need to be very close to the drivers to hear it. The hum was
> never there before and considering the 20 year old age, I just think it's time to
> refresh the caps. I find it hard to believe that 20 year old electro caps are still
> performing up to spec. Thanks.

Why do you suspect that the caps in the crossover are causing the hum?
Most hum is caused by inductive pickup, poor grounds, or a faulty
power supply.

[[email protected]]

On Mar 2, 8:28=A0pm, sparky > wrote:
> On Mar 1, 9:49=A0pm, (Frank) wrote:
>
>
>
> > In article >, =
says...
>
> > >On Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:48:02 -0800, Frank wrote
> > >(in article >):
>
> > >> Hi all.
>
> > >> I've decided to replace the 20 year old filter caps in my Kinergetic=
s SW200
> > >> subwoofer amp/crossover. Currently, there are two (2) screw terminal
> > >> Phillips 10,000uf 75V caps measuring 3.5" high with a radius of 2".
>
> > >> Any recs on a current, fast replacement cap would be appreciated.
>
> > >> Also, would there be any advantages to going with a higher capacitan=
ce rating
> > >> or should I stick with 10K? Thanks.
>
> > >Generally, the component values chosen in a crossover determine that
> > >crossover's characteristics. Installing larger caps will likely (I don=
't know
> > >this for sure, not having seen the schematic), if they are crossover c=
aps,
> > >change the frequency at which the crossover occurs. On the other hand,=
it is
> > >more likely that these caps are electrolytics used in the subwoofer
> > >amplifier's power supply as filters. Are you changing them because the=
amp is
> > >humming or misbehaving in some other way? Because if the subs are work=
ing
> > >normally, there is no reason to change them. If it ain't broke, don't =
fix it.
>
> > The bass is not as tight as it used to be but still sounds very good an=
d a hum has
> > developed, but you need to be very close to the drivers to hear it. The=
hum was
> > never there before and considering the 20 year old age, I just think it=
's time to
> > refresh the caps. I find it hard to believe that 20 year old electro ca=
ps are still
> > performing up to spec. Thanks.
>
> Why do you suspect that the caps in the crossover are causing the hum?
> Most hum is caused by inductive pickup, poor grounds, or a faulty
> power supply.

The amps caps can be checked. Charge discharge, and ESR. I would first
check all screw down terminals and crimps, after disconnecting all
inputs and checking for hum, and relocating. I have never replaced a
large capacitor, except for blown ones.

greg