Vintage Synth Repair

Thanks Jim !


--- In vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com, James Cason <jlcason@...> 
wrote:
>
> 
> --- gil_we <gil_we@...> wrote:
> 
> > Would it be safe to replace all the tantalum caps in
> > my OBXa with 
> > regular electrolytic caps (as long as their of the
> > same specs of 
> > course) ?...
> > 
> 
> It would be "safe" for the limited purpose that there
> would be no physical danger caused. Tantylum
> capacitors are a special form of electrolytic
> capacitors that are specified more closely in terms of
> percentage tolerance, and particularly in considerably
> reduced leakage current. If the particular circuit
> requires very low leakage, the electrolytic capacitor
> will not work properly even when first installed. They
> were also developed as a premium capacitor with longer
> mean time before failure (MTBF) for use in circuits
> where early failure prevention was more important than
> the incremental higher price for the capacitor (for
> example - a space satellite where field repair is
> ultra expensive, or a jet fighter where failure could
> result in loss of life).
> 
> Briefly, standard electrolytics as a replacement for
> tantylum would not be recommended (of course, in this
> modern world of fast obsolencence and unobtainable
> parts, at some time it may be the only thing
> obtainable).
> 
> Jim Cason
> Electronic & computer tech 42 years
>