Does anyone have the plans for or know of a source for a cheap capacitor checker ? Thanks.
-Bill B.

I have an old EICO 950. I seldom use it - it's easier to just replace older caps, and certainly all electrolytic caps.

When I replace a film cap, just out of curiosity, I usually check it with a digital ohmmeter for leakage. But I go ahead and replace it anyway. An ohmmeter tests at much lower voltage than the rating of caps, so even if it reads infinite resistance, it doesn't mean the cap is good.

Replace, don't test.

:I have an old EICO 950. I seldom use it - it's easier to just replace older caps, and certainly all electrolytic caps.
:
:When I replace a film cap, just out of curiosity, I usually check it with a digital ohmmeter for leakage. But I go ahead and replace it anyway. An ohmmeter tests at much lower voltage than the rating of caps, so even if it reads infinite resistance, it doesn't mean the cap is good.
:
:Replace, don't test.
:
Doug: Thanks. I was thinking more about the high frequency caps that resonate the circuit with the various inductors...I've got this Coronado 43-6951 that is dead on FM but AM works great. I replaced all the caps except for the mica and other high frequency caps. I've got tubes coming and if they don't fix it then I'll go for the mica and other high frequency caps.
-Bill

:Doug: Thanks. I was thinking more about the high frequency caps that resonate the circuit with the various inductors...I've got this Coronado 43-6951 that is dead on FM but AM works great. I replaced all the caps except for the mica and other high frequency caps. I've got tubes coming and if they don't fix it then I'll go for the mica and other high frequency caps.
:-Bill

Instead of just changing parts until it (maybe) works why not learn how the circuits are designed to work and troubleshoot to find the problem? You'll have a lot better success and a lot more fun if you'll take the time to learn what you are doing. This hobby is already infested with parts changers, try to go beyond that so you'll be able to make a real contribution to the hobby.
:

::Doug: Thanks. I was thinking more about the high frequency caps that resonate the circuit with the various inductors...I've got this Coronado 43-6951 that is dead on FM but AM works great. I replaced all the caps except for the mica and other high frequency caps. I've got tubes coming and if they don't fix it then I'll go for the mica and other high frequency caps.
::-Bill
:
:Instead of just changing parts until it (maybe) works why not learn how the circuits are designed to work and troubleshoot to find the problem? You'll have a lot better success and a lot more fun if you'll take the time to learn what you are doing. This hobby is already infested with parts changers, try to go beyond that so you'll be able to make a real contribution to the hobby.

I've been changing parts untill it works or not works for 55 years....I know how circuits work but I do not have the necessary tools to do a proper job of trouble shooting. If a radio hums, you replace the filter caps and some if not all the coupling capacitors....And so on. I only do this in the Winter because we have cold and snow...and no I can't afford to move. And in the Summer I fish and ride my motorcycle. So by the time I get back to a project in 6 months I forgot what I was doing !
-Bill B.
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Hi Bill,
Capacitor testers can be found at low cost on eBay. They can be found even under $20 sometimes.
I find mine a necessity. First, it tests the silver mica caps, but also it tests at high voltage. This makes them able to test IF cans for leakage.
If you want to restore vintage radios, a capacitor analyzer is a necessary acquisition.
All the Best,

Bill Grimm