Multisection Capacitor Restuffing Insert

thingiverse

I created this insert as a means to install a new electrolytic capacitor inside an old vintage can capacitor. I made this universal for any multisection can capacitor with a 1 3/8" diameter. You may need to scale this slightly depending upon your specific requirements. The way to use this part is to cut open a multisection can capacitor at the seam between the base and the can. (Use a pipe cutter). Remove the inside, clean out the can cap. You will put the new electrolytics inside the plastic sleeve. The leads are routed through the bottom holes, and then through additional holes you will have pre-drilled in the mica base. You will then wrap the leads tightly around the terminal lugs on the other side of the mica. Solder everything into place. For added security, it's worth adding a blob of hot glue or epoxy to keep the plastic sleeve and mica base together as one piece. But the soldered leads are plenty strong if you exercise care and common sense. (Make sure everything is nice and centered before you glue anything.) Once wired and soldered together, you will slide the exterior metal can over the sleeve. The sleeve arms act like a spring that tension the sides of the wall, keeping them in place. Once assembled, it will look seamless. The can covers can be removed for maintenance. It is not advisable to do this very often, and keep in mind, there are typically lethal voltages running through these caps. So don't futz with the covers while your amp is on. :-) This works best when printed in polypropylene. Braskem filament is what I use. My second recommendation would be PETG, but PETG is stiffer, so be sure to ensure good intralayer bonding when printing this. ABS would probably be pretty good as well. PLA....I haven't tested this in PLA. I don't think it's a good idea as PLA is low temperature and brittle. I've included a universal design and a few other ones that I used for my McIntosh Ma230. Please note that paper caps might have a smaller inner diameter. capinsert_vd2 is slightly smaller to accommodate this.