can I use 9 year old electrolytics?

[kato]

I used to make guitar pedals. But due to inexperience, most of them were failures. Like with beer brewing, my failure rate drove me away from the hobby.

Years later, I am back. Ready to build an 1176 - but I'm starting again with smaller projects - stompboxes - to get my chops up before tackling something expensive.

Anyway, I've got a bunch of electrolytic caps and resistors that I bought back in 1996. Is it OK to use them? Or should I just buy them again?

I know electrolytics go bad over time - but I don't know if that means "through use" or "through time."

Thanks experts, Kato

 

[mcs]

[quote author="kato"]I know electrolytics go bad over time - but I don't know if that means "through use" or "through time."[/quote]
Both - but they last longer when they're used. But caps from '96 should still be fine.

Best regards,

Mikkel C. Simonsen

 

[NewYorkDave]

Most of my stock is about that old and I haven't had any problems.

 

[BYacey]

I have some original electrolytics in an old tube radio circa 1928. Still works fine, but this is probably an exception.

Electrolytics usually go bad due more to heat, excessive working voltage and current ie. high ripple voltage.

 

[kato]

thank you all for the advice.

i will go ahead and use up the stock I've got!