Capacitor opinion/guess

[ban-all-sheds]

I've got an old bit of kit which contains a large capacitor. M'fac date on it is 1986.

No clue as to what type, can't see any polarisation markings, and as it's a metal can 125mm high and 65mm dia, (about the size of a 330ml drink can) and only 16μF, can anybody think of a reason why I shouldn't assume it's not an electrolytic, and therefore won't have gone flaky, and I can power the thing up?

 

[Spark123]

What is it for? DC smoothing?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Guess so.

Ha ha - I really know how what I've got works, don't I.

It's a voltage stabiliser, and I've yet to look in detail at how it is wired, but at a quick glance it contains 2 transformers, one large, and one **£^$'@#?! humongous one, and that cap.

 

[flameport]

A guess - probably for power factor correction and it won't be electrolytic, most likely polyester film or similar.

 

[bernardgreen]

Electrics my guess work. Is this really BAS.

How many terminals ? The can may be a terminal as well so it could be a dual capacitor. Resistance check case to terminals in both polarities.

That size could be a high voltage electrolytic constructed with a thicker wet paper separator to avoid voltage break down.

Are ther absolutely no other markings ? What is it fitted into ?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Electrics my guess work. Is this really BAS.

How many terminals ?

2

The can may be a terminal as well so it could be a dual capacitor.

The can will be earthed by virtue of being bolted to the chassis, but there is no explicit earth conductor connection which I would have expected if it was a terminal of the capacitor(s).

Resistance check case to terminals in both polarities.

TBA.

Are ther absolutely no other markings ?

There are, but they are hard to see - I need to loosen the retaining nut so that I can twist it round a bit.

What is it fitted into ?

A voltage stabiliser.

Another TBA is to establish where it sits in the apparatus.

 

[bernardgreen]

Some picutes would help. two transformers, some diodes and a capacitor could make a saturated reactance type of voltage controller

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I'll gird my loins (literally, if I want to lower the risk of a hernia) and lug the thing outside and take photos etc.

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

Just plug it in! The worst that can happen is you need to replace your RCD, and maybe call out the DNO. Go on, you know you want to.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I did plug it in when I first got it (12 years ago - it was a classic case of "ooh - that looks like a bargain and might come in handy one day" ), and none of the smoke came out.

I don't have a variac, so can't give it a work-out, and I don't remember if I compared Vin and Vout to see if it was actually doing anything.

I opened it up the other day because I am thinking of possibly using it, and as it bears not one single indication of its rating I wanted to see what the internal wiring was like.

 

[Jackrae]

If it's a voltage regulator unit that simply contains transformers and a capacitor then the capacitor forms part of an LC resonant circuit. If that is the case then it's not an electrolytic and should be safe for energisation. Apart from voltage regulation, they were also good at damping out transients. I flogged one of these on fleabay about 12 years ago

 

[bernardgreen]

I first got it (12 years ago - it was a classic case of "ooh - that looks like a bargain and might come in handy one day"

I flogged one of these on fleabay about 12 years ago

Could these be the same item ? Is the best kept secret of DIYnot about to be revealed....? Does Jackrae hold the vital information needed to finally identify the person who is BAS ?

 

[Jackrae]

Who is BAS - read on
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Stig

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Some say I invented yoghurt.

Some say I have an enormous collection of sea shells which I keep on beaches around the world.

 

[bernardgreen]

Some say I have an enormous collection of sea shells which I keep on beaches around the world.

Is it true you built the beaches as show cases for your collection ?