Best storage practice for electrolytic capacitors - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Hoggy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2022, 02:50:06 am
content: Given that I only try fixing a few things that break around my place, I won't go through too many of them quickly at all. I've only been ordering a few seemingly important values and voltages, and some as I find might be bad in a device -- like 10, 20, or 50 caps each at most.I was thinking of double or triple bagging them, and possibly storing them with a silica desiccant pack.But if I put a silica pack in there, would that dry up the electrolyte faster?Any other longer-term storage tips anyone might have? Maybe put in the fridge or freezer, even??Thanks.

author: ejeffrey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2022, 04:58:26 am
content: You are over thinking this. Store them in a container. I wouldn't store them in a hot car in the desert if I could avoid it, but these are usually rated to operate at 85C or higher.In terms of stocking up: for repair work I would usually prefer to replace with as close as possible to the original components, so I would order them as needed, not maintain a large stock. For electronics development you only need a few sizes, and again it's probably fine to order as needed. Pretty soon you will have sufficient stock just from the minimum order quantity.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2022, 05:16:19 am
content: Check the datasheets, they may have storage specifications or recommendations.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2022, 05:18:29 am
content: I've always replaced crappy leaked low esr electrolytic caps with polymer electrolytic caps.There's a small risk the lower ESR might cause an issues, but I've never had it happen so far.So I have a range of polymer caps in various sizes and voltages stored in a box in the work room for general cap replacements.

author: Hoggy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2022, 05:41:46 am
content: Quote from: ejeffrey on November 06, 2022, 04:58:26 amI get them from LCSC, so it's cheap anyways. And really, I'm talking VERY few different ones. However, since stocking a couple like this, I was able to fix my first major thing a couple weeks ago, on-the-spot - an upright fan. All that was needed was a 1000uF 10v cap, but all I had was a 25v - which happened to fit ok. So after that success I decided to order a few of 1000uF & 470uF caps in 10, 16, 25, and 50v - that's it though, for sizing considerations (I won't bother with anything less than 105C rated). At LCSC, that's only a few dollars.Others will be as-needed only.But moreso, it's also a scientific curiosity about storage conditions. I haven't been able to find any talk at all about this subject via Google. ... Like I really wonder if storing with a desiccant would help or hurt storage. I just found out putting a desiccant near CA glue will help prolong it, since I read that moisture will cure CA glue. Which then got me thinking...I'm also really curious about fridge/freezer storage, and what the effects could be.

author: Terry Bites
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2022, 11:52:07 am
content: Tupperware and a silica gel pack is good enough

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2022, 10:59:53 pm
content: Generally speaking if you have something that's degraded by heat, then refrigeration will prolong its useful life. It might be overkill though. I tend to buy a lot of stuff in bulk and end up storing things like Sharpie markers, solder paste, glues, etc. in the refrigerator. However, freezing tends to have adverse effects on water based products.

author: Infraviolet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2022, 01:29:46 am
content: I thought heat ratings were more about what the cap could cope with when in active use? From what I had read in the past it is a rather exponential thing, caps have X hours of lifetime rated for running in a hot environment, and for every slight temperature reduction this lifetime increases massively. They rate for things like 60 to 80 celsius, maybe inside a well sealed enclosure with lots of high current heat generating stuff present, so use, and especially storage, at (temperate climate) room temperatures should be very long indeed.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2022, 03:12:24 am
content: Store in a cool, dry place. Nothing more is required.

author: EPAIII
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2022, 09:10:11 am
content: I have always stored them in the same conditions that I find comfortable. Normal room temperature with climate control (heat and AC). As far as a desiccant or silica gel pack. I never have used them. You don't want to encourage them to dry out any faster than they normally will. But don't add humidity either.I have some that I purchased used around 30 years ago and they still test OK.

author: Hoggy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2022, 07:42:24 pm
content: Quote from: EPAIII on November 07, 2022, 09:10:11 amThat's what I was thinking, too. I just didn't know much into the specifics of whether silica would absorb any other 'liquid' type substances other than water - nor do I know how much water, if any, might be in the electrolyte.But that's really encouraging that you still have some 30-yo caps that still test good when stored in decent conditions.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2022, 02:08:09 am
content: Quote from: Hoggy on November 07, 2022, 07:42:24 pmI have quite a few 30 year old NOS (new old stock) capacitors and testing definitely shows that they have degraded ESR, but their capacitance is still within tolerance.