PIO caps

[goraman]

Are paper in oil capacitors bi polar or non polar?
I need some small caps 0.01 UF.
They don't need to be real high voltage 50v would do.

Do you think this cap is bi polar.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=027-700

[Ali Tait]

Not seen any that aren't,and yes,that in the pic looks the same,so will work either way round.

[leo]

Also remember some PIO caps (and other film caps) have the inner foil joined at one end only so tend to perform better used a certain direction, normally the cap will have a line or mark at one end to show which end has the foil connected to.
Usually theres the needed info on the spec sheet , it'll work either way around ok but if marked at one end MIGHT be worth comparing both directions

Probably already seen it but some caps compared here http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Cap.html

[goraman]

I ordered a couple of the foil caps in the picture,I used to like a cap called AL CAP back in the late 80's and early 90's but I don't think they exist anymore.
They where great for speakers and places where size was an issue in Ham radio gear.
I need a really small pair for a headphone mod.And these Audio caps are said to out last the Jensens and sound really good at a much reduced price.
I used to have a very well made trasmitter useing 6LQ6 tubes but the Jensen caps where always going bad so I went AL Caps and sold the amp 15 years later still working with out failure.
Those caps did get a little warm at times but never died like the Jensens.
I just ordered some Russian PIO caps as well.
I will compair the 2 different caps and use the best.
http://www.pedalhackermods.com/servlet/the-1/PIO-Paper-in-oil/Detail
Then click on detailed description.



Hey, ALCAPS do still exist,I used the 1uf caps years ago and they came stock in my Mission speakers and here they are.

http://www2.cricklewoodelectronics.com/Cricklewood/home.php?printable=Y&cat=139&sort=productcode&sort_direction=0

[goraman]

I ended up useing a tinfoil,film Audio Cap with gold leads.

I used a full range speaker and placed in line a Russian paper in oil cap 0.01uf -200v and listened,then I cliped on a Audio Cap of the same value 0.01uf-600v

The PIO had a darker and slower sound the Audio Cap was faster,had more sparkle and attack.

You can see it in the picture. Used as the crossover cap in my old 2 way headphones Superex pro B.
These little caps work wonders where larger ones could never fit.