Blown 25V cap running 18V

[Dan M]

Well, not really a question but a data point.

Threads in this forum typically reference rating your caps at 2x the supply voltage.

I just popped a 100uf 25v electrolytic cap when plugged into an 18v power supply. So now I have to clean the smoke and goo out of the pedal and look for a 35v cap.

I don’t see an emoji with a dunce cap or a math wizard. But you get the point.

 

[Robert]

That's a good rule of thumb but really shouldn't have happened with a healthy 25V cap unless the power supply isn't regulated/filtered properly.

Things do happen though.

I worked with a guy in a cal lab who tried to convince me that the best way to test an electrolytic cap is to apply 70% over-voltage... if the cap pops it was bad. Boy I can't tell you how many "bad" caps he found. ... he no longer works in a cal lab.

 

[Paradox916]

 

[Popnfreshbass]

Yah. Caps blow, even at there rated voltage. It happens. I wouldn’t sweat it too much.