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life span/failure rate of filter capacitors?

(And I assume that the filter caps are the large electrolytic caps with the screw in terminals?)

The reason I am inquiring about this subject is that I stumbled on to an older thread started by someone who had a "filter cap explode" inside his 20 year old Cary V-12 monoblock.  (Which is basically what I have, only mine is a single stereo amp.)

Anyway, I do know the specs on those large caps with the screw in terminals which I am thinking are aka filter caps are 560uf 400v. 

Do these normally give any kind of warning before they let go?  It does occasionally blow the 3A SB AC power fuse on start up. 

TIA for any information/advice on this subject.

immatthewj

Showing 2 responses by audioman58

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,308 posts
 

Much has to do is how much demand on them in the circuit ,better to have more smaller caps lower distortion ,  how hot is the area and how much use .

failure much higher in amplifiers ,quality too of the caps has a lot to do with it . 
caps get dried out as they age .

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,308 posts
 

One thing well documented which at Coda very good engineering Doug -Nelson 
pass engineering team before Nelson went solo in mid 90s.

Coda always leave low voltage on  to keep the circuit warm and caps partially charged ,

warmup time is less, easier on the circuits , and everything last longer .

that’s why Coda gives a solid 10 years warranty.

bryston  May still give 20 years not sure on that  though.

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