[MrFixr55]

Hi DConant,

Sorry, I missed your question regarding 500WV caps in an AC-DC AA5.

Unless the technology changed, the electrolyte had to be exposed to voltage near the designed "WV" (working Voltage), otherwise the cap would not "form" correctly and the capacity would be much lower than the listed value. I can't remember exactly where I learned this, but it may have been either in the 1940s NRI Radio course or in the US Navy "Basic Electronics" Ca 1953.

In some cases, this may not have been mush of an issue as these caps, back in the 30s to the 60s or so were rated +100% / -20%. In other words, a 40 uF cap could have an actual capacity between 32 and 80 uF!

I think that the specs are tighter now.