Re: gEDA-user: electrolytic capacitors

[Dan McMahill <dan@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Gene Heskett wrote:

> They can explode pretty violently, so let me tell you a story.  Back in the 
> mid-60's I came across a tube type, mobile cb radio that had to be one of the 
> few attempts to build one for a 6 volt vehicle system, and predated the old 
> Johnson whiteface by probably 10 years.  My pickup at the time, a 52 ford, 
> had long since been converted to 12 volts, and I was in the radio, on the 
> kitchen table, moving wires to convert it to 12 volts.  I missed one without 
> realizing it, and had it running on a 12 volt supply for test.  It worked 
> really really well, talking to the neighbors on a piece of wire laying on the 
> floor for an antenna.  But after about 15 minutes the main filter capacitor 
> let go, and the top of the can put a quarter sized print in the plastered 
> ceiling that was about 1/4" deep.  I'm glad I wasn't in front of it at the

too funny.  My exploding cap story is also related to automotive 
electronics.  The explosion happened at 2 AM when I was in high school. 
  Mom and Dad were not too thrilled about it if I recall correctly.

Makes a lasting impression though doesn't it?

-Dan


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