Are these old Sprague capacitors worth anything? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jrmymllr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 01:45:02 pm
content: I have a pile of these plastic boxes that look like the attached.Various part numbers, most look like ceramic or something similar-looking, plus a few that have 3 leads and ones that have a bolt head on one side. Are they worth anything?

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 03:02:11 pm
content: I doubt they are worth more than an equivalent part today, and likely less because they are old whether NOS or not. I am not aware of anything special about them.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 03:05:16 pm
content: That website is a scam shop.

author: jrmymllr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 07:18:17 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on June 24, 2025, 03:05:16 pmThat's irrelevant, they had a picture of what I was referring to.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 07:56:51 pm
content: Quote from: jrmymllr on June 24, 2025, 07:18:17 pmIt's relevant it that you are promoting this scam in search engines instead of just attaching a picture.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 08:06:29 pm
content: Who looks for old American capacitors from a russian website?

author: jrmymllr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 09:48:51 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on June 24, 2025, 07:56:51 pmOk I changed it.

author: jrmymllr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 09:49:23 pm
content: Quote from: floobydust on June 24, 2025, 08:06:29 pmGoogle images. I just wanted a quick example of what I have.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 11:05:46 pm
content: None of those are electrolytics, so my guess®™ is that they're probably fine.No idea how much they're worth: probably not much, but if it were me I'd just use them in my projects.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 11:36:03 pm
content: Temperature stable "GA" are useable disc ceramic capacitors for high voltage, but they are not NP0 (suitable for critical applications).From the ancient past:https://hallmanlabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/1956-Sprague-Ceramite.pdf

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2025, 05:38:13 am
content: Audiophilesfools restoring old amps might want them.

author: jrmymllr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2025, 12:01:03 pm
content: Quote from: Analog Kid on June 24, 2025, 11:05:46 pmNone are electrolytics. They all appear to be ceramic or similar appearance. The thing is, I don't want to use them because they're too oldBut some are unusual so I thought someone may want them.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2025, 02:08:09 pm
content: Quote from: amyk on June 25, 2025, 05:38:13 amNot audiophiles, but guitar amp guys like them.Don’t confuse the two communities.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2025, 02:11:26 pm
content: They should probably be kept as collectibles.

author: Jeff eelcr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2025, 06:51:03 pm
content: I am sure they can fetch a few dollars from someone, and a few more if needed.Jeff

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2025, 07:22:01 pm
content: These old Sprague "Cera-Mite" disc caps came out in 1950 for TV use. Have a wax dip, they will sweat if you solder them too hot.The newer (now Vishay Sprague) ones have an epoxy dip coating, are much smaller size for the same voltage/cap rating.With ceramic caps, the dielectric ages, so you may find them low value. I've had a few (other brand) that after 50 years capacitance had dropped off a lot and apparently this is normal. You can recrystallize them with heat to restore their capacitance. It would be an experiment.Otherwise, they are just old parts that are great for tube TV repair lol.

author: Jeff eelcr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2025, 10:33:11 pm
content: That's interesting, I have never heard that about ceramic caps.The ones I have in that series at 1KV are a very hard coating, not at all wax coated they are larger and heavier than many other types.Jeff

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2025, 07:08:23 pm
content: Check their value. I had 50 year old ceramic caps -90% and it took me a while to figure out what was going on because I hadn't seen that before.

author: Jeff eelcr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2025, 02:04:03 am
content: These are "M" TOL and they are within 20% of stated value.The one "P" I have is also within 10% of stated value.Still something to be aware of.Jeff