China Capacitors (Any Good?)

Discussion:

(too old to reply)

o***@tubes.com

2017-02-21 11:59:25 UTC

I was looking at Sal's Capacitors Corner

http://www.tuberadios.com/capacitors

He has a wide selection of caps and soem other parts, but no resistors
or tubes or other stuff. However, for caps, he has good prices and
shipping is fair.

But these caps are made in China. I'm a little leary of China parts, so
I am asking. Are they any good?

I prefer to buy American, but I can only get what I can, and price is
important too....

I know someone on this group suggested this seller and like I said the
prices and shipping is fair. I just am not sure about caps made in
China.

philo

2017-02-21 13:57:11 UTC

Permalink

Post by o***@tubes.com
I was looking at Sal's Capacitors Corner
http://www.tuberadios.com/capacitors
He has a wide selection of caps and soem other parts, but no resistors
or tubes or other stuff. However, for caps, he has good prices and
shipping is fair.
But these caps are made in China. I'm a little leary of China parts, so
I am asking. Are they any good?
I prefer to buy American, but I can only get what I can, and price is
important too....
I know someone on this group suggested this seller and like I said the
prices and shipping is fair. I just am not sure about caps made in
China.

Because something is made in China does not automatically mean it's bad
but I probably would not take a chance

found this

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supplies-101,4193-5.html

o***@tubes.com

2017-02-21 19:57:25 UTC

Permalink

Post by philo

Because something is made in China does not automatically mean it's bad
but I probably would not take a chance
found this
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supplies-101,4193-5.html

Thats a good article. Since I dont have any device to check caps, I dont
want to take a chance. Actually one of the tube devices I plan to recap
is an Eico 950B Capacitor tester. Then I will have something to use to
test them. Until then, I am in the dark....

Presently I want to replace the caps in my Eico 320 Signal Gen. So I was
gonna just order the 9 caps for that. I thought I'd start out small,
with this being my first project in many years.

That said, where might I be able to buy a small quantity of Cornell
Dubilier. Aerovox, Illinois Capacitor, or other AMERICAN made caps,
without having to pay huge shipping fees or having to spend a minimum
large amount? I dont mind paying twice the price for each cap, (Meaning
that I'd rather pay $1 for a US made cap, rather than $0.50 for a China
made one). it's just the *Minimum Order* and *excessive shipping and
handling* fees that I cant deal with.

Ordering the 9 caps for this Eico 320, from the seller I mentioned in
this thread, amounts to about $3.50. (for China caps). I planned to buy
a few other items from this seller, and the shipping total was $3.00 for
a total of about $15 worth of parts.

So, paying double that price for the actual caps (for American made),
would amount to around $7 for the actual caps. NOT A PROBLEM. But I wont
pay $20 S+H and cant meet any $50 minimum.

Back in the old days, I just went to an actual electronics store and
bought what I needed, but those days are gone. The only stores that
still exist is Radio Shack (in my area), and they lack a good
assortment, are high priced for small parts like this, and where do
their caps come from? For all I know, they sell China made caps too.

analogdial

2017-02-21 20:36:50 UTC

Permalink

Post by o***@tubes.com
That said, where might I be able to buy a small quantity of Cornell
Dubilier. Aerovox, Illinois Capacitor, or other AMERICAN made caps,
without having to pay huge shipping fees or having to spend a minimum
large amount? I dont mind paying twice the price for each cap, (Meaning
that I'd rather pay $1 for a US made cap, rather than $0.50 for a China
made one). it's just the *Minimum Order* and *excessive shipping and
handling* fees that I cant deal with.

I'm not sure if those companies actually make many capacitors in the US
anymore. If Country of Origin is an issue for you, check with the
vendor before you order.

How many circuits over 250V are being manufactured today as compared
with 60 years ago? I think we are lucky that anyone anywhere is still
tooled up to make 630V caps in a wide range of values. I don't know how
much longer this will be the case.

I'm not aware of any new production of anything that still uses 630 V
axial lead caps. If there weren't Chinese manufacturers taking on what
must be relatively small runs of these caps, there might be no new
production of these caps at all.

Speaking for myself, if I had to use caps that I was not able to leakage
test first, I'd trust the Panasonics from Digi-Key. They are radial
lead. I'm sure there are many other good choices.

Neon John

2017-02-22 23:04:28 UTC

Permalink

On Tue, 21 Feb 2017 20:36:50 -0000 (UTC), analogdial

Post by analogdial
How many circuits over 250V are being manufactured today as compared
with 60 years ago? I think we are lucky that anyone anywhere is still
tooled up to make 630V caps in a wide range of values. I don't know how
much longer this will be the case.
I'm not aware of any new production of anything that still uses 630 V
axial lead caps. If there weren't Chinese manufacturers taking on what
must be relatively small runs of these caps, there might be no new
production of these caps at all.

you need to get out more. Off the top of my head

induction heaters
induction ranges
electronic welders
electronic motor drives
electric vehicles
solid state microwave ovens

Post by analogdial
Speaking for myself, if I had to use caps that I was not able to leakage
test first, I'd trust the Panasonics from Digi-Key. They are radial
lead. I'm sure there are many other good choices.

Cornell-Dublier is still available in up to 2500 volt ranges from
Mouser. We use a ton of 0.1uF, 2000 volt film capacitors in our
induction heaters.

If that old fart is going to play electronics in the 21st century, he
better get over his China obsession. And learn to use Digikey and
Mouser.

John
John DeArmond
http://www.neon-john.com
http://www.tnduction.com
Tellico Plains, Occupied TN
See website for email address

Peter Wieck

2017-02-21 20:40:08 UTC

Permalink

We still have a walk-in store in Philadelphia on Passyunk Avenue.

That being written, your differential between Chinese and US cap, even if available, will be more like 10X than 2X.

Illinois caps are pretty much all off-shore these days and those mostly from China.

http://www.illinoiscapacitor.com/company.aspx Capacitors are a commodity these days - made where they are cheapest to make, sold where they get the most revenue. Just like pork bellies.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

Peter Wieck

2017-02-21 14:04:24 UTC

Permalink

With yellow-film caps, China is going to be the source, like it or not. If you area purchasing from a legitimate seller, they will make sure you are getting first-run caps, not seconds, and that they are at least somewhat screened.

That most of these caps come from China is why I screen *every* cap prior to installation. It takes but a moment and I can batch-screen or filter screen depending on the need.

That being written, with these beasts my failure rate is well under 1%.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

analogdial

2017-02-21 14:36:03 UTC

Permalink

I think you can trust the vendor. I've bought film caps from Bob's
Antique Radios, AES, Digi-Key and directly from China with ebay
auctions.

Bob, AES and Digi-Key haven't sold me a bad cap. The direct from China
film caps are a little less consistant but still have a very low failure
rate.

I've bought my electrolytics from Digi-Key and AES. They've all been
good.

I think nearly all caps are made in Asia now.

philo

2017-02-21 15:55:53 UTC

Permalink

Post by analogdial

I think you can trust the vendor. I've bought film caps from Bob's
Antique Radios, AES, Digi-Key and directly from China with ebay
auctions.
Bob, AES and Digi-Key haven't sold me a bad cap. The direct from China
film caps are a little less consistant but still have a very low failure
rate.
I've bought my electrolytics from Digi-Key and AES. They've all been
good.
I think nearly all caps are made in Asia now.

Good point.

If one buys directly from China they may not be tested first.

My experience has been with computer RAM

I bought some because at $2 a stick I had little to loose.

Three out of the four sticks were perfect and still in use...
one was flaky from the start.

When the vendor asked me to rate them I gave them "neutral"

I figured three sticks for $8 was still a super good deal.

To my shock, they emailed me and refunded my $2 for the one stick and
begged me to edit my rating and change to to "good."

So what the heck I did.

My guess is the more expensive stuff sold here is just tested first but
otherwise the same.

analogdial

2017-02-21 20:49:30 UTC

Permalink

Post by philo
Good point.
If one buys directly from China they may not be tested first.
My experience has been with computer RAM
I bought some because at $2 a stick I had little to loose.
Three out of the four sticks were perfect and still in use...
one was flaky from the start.
When the vendor asked me to rate them I gave them "neutral"
I figured three sticks for $8 was still a super good deal.
To my shock, they emailed me and refunded my $2 for the one stick and
begged me to edit my rating and change to to "good."
So what the heck I did.
My guess is the more expensive stuff sold here is just tested first but
otherwise the same.

I should amend what I said. I think I did get a leaker from Bob. It
was one of the yellow axial lead caps. It was years ago and I didn't
think much of it. More recently, I did get a inexpensive assortment of
caps from AES. There were a couple of duds in there, too. But they
were cheap and I wasn't disappointed.

I suspect alot of the stuff sold by the Chinese ebay vendors is surplus
and overruns. Really not all that different than going to Olson
electronics in the 1970s and stocking up on cheap stuff they always
seemed to have.

You just have to do your own quality control.

philo

2017-02-22 03:54:50 UTC

Permalink

Post by analogdial
X

Post by philo
My guess is the more expensive stuff sold here is just tested first but
otherwise the same.

I should amend what I said. I think I did get a leaker from Bob. It
was one of the yellow axial lead caps. It was years ago and I didn't
think much of it. More recently, I did get a inexpensive assortment of
caps from AES. There were a couple of duds in there, too. But they
were cheap and I wasn't disappointed.
I suspect alot of the stuff sold by the Chinese ebay vendors is surplus
and overruns. Really not all that different than going to Olson
electronics in the 1970s and stocking up on cheap stuff they always
seemed to have.
You just have to do your own quality control.

Good old Olson,

I found a can of Olson contact cleaner in the basement yesterday,
it looks like it's in good condition...

c***@snyder.on.ca

2017-02-21 21:36:15 UTC

Permalink

Post by philo

Post by analogdial

I think you can trust the vendor. I've bought film caps from Bob's
Antique Radios, AES, Digi-Key and directly from China with ebay
auctions.
Bob, AES and Digi-Key haven't sold me a bad cap. The direct from China
film caps are a little less consistant but still have a very low failure
rate.
I've bought my electrolytics from Digi-Key and AES. They've all been
good.
I think nearly all caps are made in Asia now.

Good point.
If one buys directly from China they may not be tested first.
My experience has been with computer RAM
I bought some because at $2 a stick I had little to loose.
Three out of the four sticks were perfect and still in use...
one was flaky from the start.
When the vendor asked me to rate them I gave them "neutral"
I figured three sticks for $8 was still a super good deal.
To my shock, they emailed me and refunded my $2 for the one stick and
begged me to edit my rating and change to to "good."
So what the heck I did.
My guess is the more expensive stuff sold here is just tested first but
otherwise the same.

If you are lucky it's tested first.

Jim Mueller

2017-02-21 21:20:33 UTC

Permalink

On Tue, 21 Feb 2017 05:59:25 -0600, oldschool wrote:

snip

Post by o***@tubes.com
But these caps are made in China. I'm a little leary of China parts, so
I am asking. Are they any good?
I prefer to buy American, but I can only get what I can, and price is
important too....

You can buy American brands but you have no guarantee where they are
made. But they do have an American company standing behind them.
Neither Digi-Key nor Mouser have minimum orders. Digi-Key even has free
shipping if you include payment with the order; in other words, order by
mail, not the Internet, and include a check or money order. They do
charge tax so you will have to contact them about that.

--
Jim Mueller ***@nospam.com

To get my real email address, replace wrongname with dadoheadman.
Then replace nospam with fastmail. Lastly, replace com with us.