I am pretty new to this. I was looking at my handed down RCA model SHC-3 console unit. I was going to recap the unit when I noticed what looked like electrolytic capacitors attached to each speaker. Each capacitor is marked 8MFD 10 WVAC. Are these indeed electrolytic capactiors, and if so, which end would the polarities point to in relation to the speakers? I can't seem to see polarity markings on the old capacitors.
Steve

There are non-polarized electrolytics available. Often find them in monochrome monitors in the horizontal deflection circuit. They are physically larger than standard polarized electrolytics. In higher energy circuits the cap can be much larger than the standard polarized electrolytic to help dissipate heat. NTE makes a 10uf/25VAC cap, part no. NPA10M25 that is tiny physically. If the current is more than say 50ma it might get too warm. If so than a more specialized cap like those used in horizontal deflection circuits would be called for.

Richard

Thanks for explaining this.
Steve

:There are non-polarized electrolytics available. Often find them in monochrome monitors in the horizontal deflection circuit. They are physically larger than standard polarized electrolytics. In higher energy circuits the cap can be much larger than the standard polarized electrolytic to help dissipate heat. NTE makes a 10uf/25VAC cap, part no. NPA10M25 that is tiny physically. If the current is more than say 50ma it might get too warm. If so than a more specialized cap like those used in horizontal deflection circuits would be called for.
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:Richard

Electrolytics of small value such as those likely connect to "tweeter" speakers, if your radio has such speakers. Condensers pass higher frequencies better than lower frequencies, so these condensers would allow the tweeter speakers to only see treble. You can purchase such condensers at Radio Shack. They are regularily used in most modern high fidelity audio systems (a multi-speaker system in your car, for instance, which has a woofer and tweeter for each speaker, and possibly a mid-range "squacker," too).

Thomas

Oh, yeah, I meant to say that you can purchase non-polarized condensers at Radio Shack for such purposes. You can also take regular electrolytics and connect two in series, each twice the required value, with either both positives or both negatives connected together. If both negatives are connected together, then the remaining positive leads will be the leads you use to connect to the circuit, and vice-versa.

Thomas