Radial Lead Filter Caps

[wattsup]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good brand of Radial lead caps for filter caps?

[Roe]

what kind of amp or application?

[Stevem]

Vishay makes good ones, Panasonic makes some of the best, but they can be hard to find in the needed tube amp voltage ratings.

[xtian]

Panasonic and Nichicon are the ones I used most often, purchased from mouser.com.

[wattsup]

Vishay makes good ones, Panasonic makes some of the best, but they can be hard to find in the needed tube amp voltage ratings.

Panasonic and Nichicon are the ones I used most often, purchased from mouser.com.

That helps. Other than voltage ratings, what should I look for, for a filter cap?

[maxkracht]

Other than voltage ratings, what should I look for, for a filter cap?

Depends on the use. You need to pay attention to lead spacing, length, and diameter, especially if installing on a PCB. It needs to fit, or it's no good. In general, higher temp and ripple current ratings are good. Anything from a proper distributor like Mouser or Digikey should do fine in a tube amp if you hit the voltage rating and size requirements.

[xtian]

Other than voltage ratings, what should I look for, for a filter cap?

Also, mouser.com shows life expectancy in hours.

[maxkracht]

Also, mouser.com shows life expectancy in hours.

Any opinions on stated life expectancy vs ripple current rating? Some have long life at a lower ripple current, but I assume a slightly shorter stated life but a higher ripple current rating means overall longer life in an amp. More ripple current also means physically larger, so I assume more better. I do usually go for the 10k hour rated stuff, but not every cap has a life number and I don't know how much of that is marketing anyway.

[xtian]

and I don't know how much of that is marketing anyway.

Me neither!