How long can a electrolytic capacitor last un-used?
Do electrolytic capacitors have a shelf life? I’ve an opportunity to buy an mono amplifier with 20 year old capacitors that have under 700 hours total use. The amps sound perfect without any issues. VTL Siegfried MK 1.
@hiendmmoe I should have said 'offer to the seller a price for the amp' in my last post. While we usually repair equipment on the side, at this point we are too busy to take in repairs.
If that's the amp you want, just consider replacing the filter caps. I would offer a price that reflects that repair cost, unless that's baked in already.
If she is quiet with no buzzing or humming that is good.
@grannyring It may well be running with half of its rated capacity though- and at risk of imminent failure. A cap that is 20 years old is at its 'half life' which is my way of saying that about half of them that old are now failing. The remaining ones that are good are not far behind.
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