Rebuilding electrolytic caps question - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: Rebuilding electrolytic caps question (/showthread.php?tid=3465)

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Rebuilding electrolytic caps question - 37silverstreak - 07-09-2011

Hi to all,
I'm in the process of restuffing my first Philco electrolytic capacitor can. I've gotten the can cut open and the old insides removed. I've also got the new cap ready to install, but my problem is that I can't get the solder to adhere to the can to connect the ground lead. I am assuming that the can is aluminum. Is there some trick to soldering aluminum? If anyone has any input or tips on any part of rebuilding these caps, I would really appreciate hearing about them! Thanks!
Kevin

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Re: Rebuilding electrolytic caps question - codefox1 - 07-09-2011

There is no practical or common or reliable way to solder aluminum at the workbench that I know of. You must rely on mechanical contact. If your object is to secure a connection to the chassis, which may also be aluminum, you need a screw and bolt and a steel or copper terminal that you can solder to.

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Re: Rebuilding electrolytic caps question - Dave - 07-09-2011

Soldering to the can is very difficult and requires much more heat than a consumer soldering iron can provide. You would have a much more reliable connection if you run the new leads through the bottom of the old capacitor can and solder all of the connections under the chassis.

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Re: Rebuilding electrolytic caps question - 37silverstreak - 07-09-2011

Thanks for the posts! through trial and error I found out that soldering the can was going to be a no-go, so I came up with an alternative. I ran the negative lead of the new cap through the cut I made opening the can. Then I stripped the wire and and taped the end against the can using some aluminum tape I found at the hardware store, which I also used to seal the can back together. I then replaced the capacitor mounting bracket which covers the seam and neg cap lead. I checked everything over with my meter and all seems to be okay
It was quite a bit of work, but actually kind of enjoyed it! This radio is a 37-610 that has never been worked on, so I wanted to try and keep it looking that way!!
Thank you all for the input!
Kevin

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