HT Smoothing Condensers

[Nowhere-Man]

I am not too sure of the scope available for HT can replacements. Worryingly and, as ever, I suspect Ebay is the common source for high voltage electrolytics. I am far more in favour of Just Radiios in Canada but I imagine postal costs are significant. I will be checking out a few Russian suppliers soon for audio capacitors. I know a few people simply scavenge HT capacitors from scrap TV sets. Yes Ebay does offer plenty of electrolytics but I prefer specialist supply - Just Radios is one established supplier.

[Murphyv310]

Hi.
Id not even consider using second hand capacitors in a repair for a customer, it could land you in debt if it fails.
All repairs have to be guaranteed so the use of caps from TV sets is a no no.
Just Radios have a good range and that's where I buy them from, you need to mark them up in price if this venture is to succeed.

As I have said before stop using terms that the UK is not familiar with, we use valves not tubes and we use a circuit diagram. If you major in valves the customers wont like the US terminology.

I sincerely hope you know what you are doing both in theory and hands on, make too many mistakes and your name will be mud.

I wish you the best but please take on what has been said now and before.

[Nowhere-Man]

I don't do repairs at all. It is too time-consuming. I do rebuild non-working sets but not as a service. What I am looking into is supply of all sorts of components. Capacitors I personally test and under high voltage. I agree buy the best you can afford which is why I dislike the Ebay scene. Now, as I test a lot of stuff, I get to know the companies but I am pretty convinced Russia now is leading in hi tech radio - thus that's where I seek out the leading firms. Having said all that my feeling is most people buy on Ebay (I prefer direct from suppliers)

[unrealdave]

?? not sure what this is all about nowhere-man?

Are you using mummy and daddy's computer?

OK just seen your next post

[Nowhere-Man]

Just Radios is Canadian I think. I did check out the makes of the reservoir capacitors they had in stock. Just curious. The only other point is my website is not directed at the UK vintage radio scene. I am hoping to sell in the EU mainly. I still rebuild radio equipment but have been getting into marketing.

[Murphyv310]

Hi.
Yes Just Radio's are Canadian. I doubt buying from another retailer makes any business sense TBH, you can get 10% discount off them with orders over £100 which is what I do when I order off them but to make a success it would be better to contact the manufacturer and get decent bulk discounts.

The Russian sellers are good but again prices have risen recently due to the fall of the pound. Be careful with Russian parts, a lot of folk look that their stuff and pronounce them as rubbish, there is a lot of high quality components to be bought in Russia but conversely a fair amount of junk.
Valves imported from Russia would be a good idea but don't forget import duties can be expensive, as often as not small orders come in at no charge but not bigger boxes.
Weigh up the costs first, the price of post etc then see if you can make a living out of re-sending an item to a customer and do it cheaper than they could by ordering elsewhere.
A lot of the established companies have gone and those that are left often struggle, the take up of the hobby and the decimation of the repair trade has seen to that, so be careful and test the market before you spend a lot of money on spares that you could be lumbered with.
Other than that all I can say is good luck and if you are competitive I'd buy from you.

[Andy M0FYA]

Don't forget that the BVWS also stock smoothing capacitors.

Andy

[Murphyv310]

Indeed they do, prices though aren't great.

[Nowhere-Man]

Cheers. I will take it step by step. I am just recovering from an accident I had in the early hours. I had been up very very late just doing the basic tests on a German radio. After I watched a DVD. Then a bit later I had a fall - just tripped and winded up on my back. Guess I was tired and it was just one of those silly accidents. I did get a big bump on the head but main damage only to dignity. So today I will retest the voltages on anodes. Mixed feelings about the PCB layout on this unit. The stringing mechanism is typically German so a bit involved and best left intact. Now, where were we parts.. I was recently offered some Cossor valves at 20 quid each and declined. Sometimes I prefer to wait. Maplins weren't doing any resistors in the Megohm range so I will be looking into Russian sources. The electrolytics I mentioned are commonly needed for smoothing or on output cathodes. I had to swat up a bit on Nanofarads which are used a lot whereas I was used to micromicrofarads. In time you get used to visualising a tiny nanofarad digit as a 0.something.

[Old Sparky]

Dual Can Capacitors in a wide range of values & working voltages are also available from, amongst others, Cricklewood Electronics and 'www.askjanfirst.de' The latter also stock other components of use to vintage radio/electronics enthusiasts & repairers.