10-12-2011, 10:56 PM
As a rule one should replace all electrolytics and wax paper caps in any antique radio that you intend to use. They are 70 or so years old and at best are leaky and at worst have failed. A failed electrolytic filter cap can cause the power transformer to fail.
Modern electrolytics are fine to use, as are mylar and ceramic varieties, when one restores the electronics in an antique radio. As a rule electrolytics are available in values larger than 0.5mFd. Mylar/ceramic, etc varieties are available in large and low value sizes, but for radio work 0.5mFd and smaller are best, as these caps get too large in physical size when above 0.5mFd to be of use when restoring an antique radio.
Make sure that you use a capacitor that is voltage rated equal to or higher than that of the capacitor that you are replacing.
Modern electrolytics are fine to use, as are mylar and ceramic varieties, when one restores the electronics in an antique radio. As a rule electrolytics are available in values larger than 0.5mFd. Mylar/ceramic, etc varieties are available in large and low value sizes, but for radio work 0.5mFd and smaller are best, as these caps get too large in physical size when above 0.5mFd to be of use when restoring an antique radio.
Make sure that you use a capacitor that is voltage rated equal to or higher than that of the capacitor that you are replacing.