Upside down electrolytic capacitor

[saint gillis]

Here's a PSU filtering electrolytic put in reverse on a steady 15VDC rail
It comes from an Oberheim SEM (Synthesizer Expander Module) in a 4-Voice synth from the late 70s

Surprisingly, the unit is working..

 

[JohnRoberts]

If you confirm that the capacitor is installed backwards that should be easy enough to fix, but I would replace with a new one if confirmed that it has been used backwards for some time. That can't be good.

JR

 

[saint gillis]

Sure, it seems to be backward since the origin, and yes I confirm that I read -15V across it
It doesn't show any leak marks, and it is not swollen, weird..

 

[JohnRoberts]

I've seen electrolytic capacitors tolerate modest reverse voltage over time. Still not good.

JR

 

[saint gillis]

Do you consider 15V modest in this case?

 

[JohnRoberts]

Do you consider 15V modest in this case?

no...

in fact I consider a 16v cap marginal for a 15v rail in the correct direction.

JR

 

[user 37518]

The synth will lose its mojo if corrected. Just kidding....