So what is the current thinking with respect to using polarized versus non-polarized electrolytics? In particular I am talking about the 50µF, 75V caps in the Mark III bias generator.
...j
...j
non-polarized electrolytics
j beede- Posts : 396
Join date : 2011-02-07
Location : California
GP49- Posts : 778
Join date : 2009-04-30
Location : East of the sun and west of the moon
There is no point in doing that. The bias circuit operates at constantly negative voltage. Barring malfunction it does not go positive, so conventional electrolytics work just fine (if one does not wire them with the negative side grounded -- a mistake I have seen more than a few hobbyists do).
j beede- Posts : 396
Join date : 2011-02-07
Location : California
Yes. I didn't mean from an electrical necessity point of view, I meant from stability and reliability points of view. My local vendor's stock of 47µF, 100V caps are non-polarized and I have not used them before. I'll visit the Sprague web-site to get educated on NP electrolytics.
...j
...j
GP49- Posts : 778
Join date : 2009-04-30
Location : East of the sun and west of the moon
Your local vendor's nonpolarized electrolytics are likely meant for loudspeaker crossovers, which is an AC application requiring nonpolar capacitors. The DC power supplies in Dynaco amplifiers do not.