Simple question: do electrolytic caps need to be replaced with electrolytic-type caps or does the capacitor type matter? I have a radio that originally had some smaller electrolytic caps that I could get an large orange drop or solen.

Orange drops are more reliable. Electrolytics are more economical. Today's electrolytics are reliable enough.

T.

Meaning it does not matter (other than price) what type so long as the size is correct??

:Orange drops are more reliable. Electrolytics are more economical. Today's electrolytics are reliable enough.
:
:T.

Right. So long as the maximum voltage rating is not exceeded, a capacitor is a capacitor. The only reason the elecrolytics are polarized is that they will destroy themselves if connected backwards. Orange drops will work either way without blowing themselves up, they are just more expensive

:Meaning it does not matter (other than price) what type so long as the size is correct??
:
::Orange drops are more reliable. Electrolytics are more economical. Today's electrolytics are reliable enough.
::
::T.

Let's not forget that different capacitor materials work better at different frequencies (e-cap = low freq, ceramic = high freq). I would not use an e-cap in the RF section of a radio, but have no problems with them in linear power supplies, and maybe a few low freq switching power supplies.

David S

:Right. So long as the maximum voltage rating is not exceeded, a capacitor is a capacitor. The only reason the elecrolytics are polarized is that they will destroy themselves if connected backwards. Orange drops will work either way without blowing themselves up, they are just more expensive
:
:
::Meaning it does not matter (other than price) what type so long as the size is correct??
::
:::Orange drops are more reliable. Electrolytics are more economical. Today's electrolytics are reliable enough.
:::
:::T.

are you sure about that? i never saw a 47uF orange drop

:Right. So long as the maximum voltage rating is not exceeded, a capacitor is a capacitor. The only reason the elecrolytics are polarized is that they will destroy themselves if connected backwards. Orange drops will work either way without blowing themselves up, they are just more expensive
:
:
::Meaning it does not matter (other than price) what type so long as the size is correct??
::
:::Orange drops are more reliable. Electrolytics are more economical. Today's electrolytics are reliable enough.
:::
:::T.

That's funny, maybe mount it outside the chassis? I think he meant small values.
:are you sure about that? i never saw a 47uF orange drop
:
::Right. So long as the maximum voltage rating is not exceeded, a capacitor is a capacitor. The only reason the elecrolytics are polarized is that they will destroy themselves if connected backwards. Orange drops will work either way without blowing themselves up, they are just more expensive
::
::
:::Meaning it does not matter (other than price) what type so long as the size is correct??
:::
::::Orange drops are more reliable. Electrolytics are more economical. Today's electrolytics are reliable enough.
::::
::::T.

That is correct. The value should be reasonably close and the voltage rating at least as high as original. A film cap can be substituted for an e-cap, but not vice-versa.
Doug

:Meaning it does not matter (other than price) what type so long as the size is correct??
:
::Orange drops are more reliable. Electrolytics are more economical. Today's electrolytics are reliable enough.
::
::T.