In message <4.0.1.20000308131038.00fa6ca0@mail.cedar.net>, David VanHorn writes >Jim Williams has a nice formula for this, that is darned accurate, but in >general terms, every 10 degrees C you take off the cap, doubles it's life. >A typical garbage electrolytic is 2000 hours at 85C, so roughly 4000 hours >at 75, 8000 at 65, 16000 at 55, 32000 at 45, 64000 at 35 (where I generally >figure my designs will operate) > >This is correlated by my repair experience were most failures are traceable >to failed electrolytics, especially in anything that runs hot. Other parts >fail too, but ask anyone who repairs computer monitors or terminals, or >power supplies, or TVs (all use electrolytics at elevated temperatures, and >moderate to high currents) The biggest capacitor failure is in satellite receivers, most have now switched to 105 degree versions, and we only keep 105 degree ones as replacements for use in everything we repair!. -- Nigel. /--------------------------------------------------------------\ | Nigel Goodwin | Internet : nigelg@lpilsley.demon.co.uk | | Lower Pilsley | Web Page : http://www.lpilsley.demon.co.uk | | Chesterfield | Official site for Shin Ki and New Spirit | | England | Ju Jitsu | \--------------------------------------------------------------/