RE: (ET) Chargers

["Rick Barnes" <barnesr nwlink com>]

These are good quality AC capacitors, at a fair price. GE brand. Filled 
with
Dielektrol, a non PCB oil. I don't think GE would like to hear you bad
mouthing their product...

So why do you think they have such a high voltage rating (what is it 600 or
800 volts) on the original capacitor? I never measured it, but there has to
be a much lower voltage across the cap during operation of the Elec-Trak
charger. I would not expect that it gets over 120v.

The cap I replaced was shorted and it had not exploded. I suspect my lower
voltage cap will not explode either. It has been working for almost a year.
Why waste money?

Rick Barnes
Aloha, OR

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-elec-trak cosmos5 phy tufts edu
> [mailto:owner-elec-trak cosmos5 phy tufts edu]On Behalf Of David Roden
> (Akron OH USA)
> Sent: Monday, July 31, 2000 8:43 PM
> To: Elec-Trak@Cosmos5. Phy. Tufts. Edu
> Subject: RE: (ET) Chargers
>
>
> On 31 Jul 2000, at 20:06, Rick Barnes wrote:
>
> >
> > If you suspect the capacitor, for about $4 you can just buy a
> new one and
> > replace it.
>
> Careful!  Many of the cheaper AC capacitors are really non-polarized
> electrolytic motor starting capacitors.  They are intended for
> intermittent use.  Used in a charger, they will eventually overheat and
> fail in a rather spectacular fashion.
>
> You need a polypropylene or oil-filled type, AC rated capacitor.  Don't
> skimp on the voltage rating!
>
> For four bucks, it's pretty unlikely that you're getting the right one.
>
>
> David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA
> 1991 Solectria Force 144vac
> 1991 Ford Escort Green/EV 128vdc
> 1979 General Engines ElectroPed 24vdc
> 1974 Honda Civic EV 96vdc
> 1970 GE Elec-trak E15 36vdc
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