Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors from stored electronic devices used every 7 months take how many years to leak the acid and corrode the device’s PCB?
You have got to be kidding right???
I don’t know just where you would get the answer to that one.
It sounds like you have a shed full of electronic bits stored and want to use some of them.
Cheers Bob
If @gamer87272298 owned a multi-meter could he measure the farads to evaluate the quality of his old caps?
From my understanding the main problem with old aluminium electrolytic caps is not leaking but drying up of the electrolyte.
The main reason for the electrolytic capacitor in long-term storage of the device to leak and corrode the PCB is the age of this electrolytic capacitor? The oldest ones I own are from the early 90s.
I would discard those older ones.
Like Mark says the biggest problem is drying up. If they are not too bad sometimes they can be “re formed” with a process of applying volts and controlled discharging several times. Elecrolytics need to be “formed” for first time use anyway. Quite often it might require several switch ons or uses before full capacitance is achieved.
As far as electrolyte leakage is concerned they should go for years without a problem. Most leaks are caused by over stressing the cap so it distorts and ruptures.
I don’t think anyone could put a figure up to answer your original question. I could not even consider it.
Cheers Bob
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Hi Pix
Could get some idea but electrolytic need a “polarising” voltage close to the rated working voltage to realise anything like full capacitance. If you were to try to measure say a cap rated at 300V working with the low voltage from a multimeter you would not get anything like full value. Measuring low voltage types (like 6.3V is common) you stand a better chance of reading the full value.
Cheers Bob
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Hi @gamer87272298,
The others here have put it quite well. It’s hard to answer specifically how long components can last in storage.
There’s definitely information out there on the degradation of components when they’re in use, such as this document or datasheets from the specific capacitors.
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In the aluminum electrolytic capacitor, which seal prevents the corrosive liquid from escaping and corroding the PCB? As the years go by, this seal weakens and releases the acid? ex. in stored electronic devices used once a year
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Hey @gamer87272298,
While I’m sure there are seals inside these capacitors responsible for preventing leakage I would say it’s normally caused by the outer casing failing (normally around the bottom folded over the edge).
High heat conditions inside the capacitor will cause the electrolytic material to vapourize and increase the pressure inside until something gives. From what I have seen this normally happens at the pressed seam on the bottom of the capacitor.
If you have an idea of the specific capacitors you are concerned about the datasheets for these parts are sometimes kind enough to include an expected lifespan.
Hope this helps!
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If the electronic device operates normally, then there is no excessive heating of the electrolytic capacitor and consequently electrolyte leakage?
Can the device without power stored at a temperature between 32-35C leak? I have devices from the early 90s, early 2000s and recent
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Hey, @gamer87272298, It’s really hard to say.
Looking around at what other people report it seems like some comparies only give their capacitors a shelf life of 2 years while some user reports claim they have capacitors working perfectly after 40 years.
Unfortunately, the advice I could find on this seems pretty inconsistent and more of a judgment call you would have to make yourself. Generally, it seems like the safe option is to replace anything 10 years or older.
Would it be practical for you to individually test each capacitor you’re concerned about or would that be overkill?
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Hi Samuel
If they have been un powered for some time in the case of electrolytic they would have to be reformed or you would be throwing all of them out.
In Gamer’s case that would not be a bad idea anyway.
Cheers Bob
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I energize them every 7 months for 1 hour but the question is whether these aluminum electrolytic capacitors can open and rupture and leak corrosive acid onto the PCB while in long-term storage? Does capacitor aging cause this?
Hi Gamer
I think you have been told many times that a lot depends on the quality of the component in the first place. I don’t think there is any blanket answer.
It seems to me personally that you are asking the same questions about different components (in different posts) over and over again until you get some sort of answer that you want to hear.
With that in mind I have one last suggestion. Chuck everything in the rubbish can and start over again with everything new (and good quality). That should solve most of your problems.
Cheers Bob
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The electrolytic capacitors of my devices do not have the brand name so it is difficult to find out
Is there a lot of construction variation between aluminum electrolytic capacitor brands?
I had AA and AAA batteries and they leaked in long term storage. Is the construction of an aluminum electrolytic capacitor different? Is there a big difference in construction between all the brands?
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I am sure Wikipedia and other sources will have a wealth of information on the construction of Aluminium Electrolytic capacitors.
Do some research for yourself.
I’m out.
Cheers Bob
Perhaps it would it be helpful to know why your asking the question?
Are you running your own private gaming museum - so you’re looking at best practices for storing, using and maintaining legacy gaming consoles or something similar?
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Isn’t ESR testing a good method?
Also, look up Mr Carlson’s Lab, he has some interesting test designs
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