Sourcing replacement capacitors in the UK?

[g0rak]

Hi there,

Does anyone know a good place to source high-grade (e.g. metal foil) polypropylene capacitors in the UK?

In particular I'm looking for 1uF and 2.2uF values at 630V but most places do not stock polyporpylene's up to this value. I've heard WIMA's MKP10 or FKP1 series would be ideal but cannot find stockists for them that go up to 1uF.

I've tried Maplin, RS, Charles Hyde, an extensive Google search and phoning round many local TV repair companies all to no avail.

Any responses welcome!

Thanks, Si

[vtech]

You just may have to resort to outside UK if/when looking for specific components. May want to change your search to something like,orange dip capacitor or orange drop capacitor

Sometimes it is better to find a manufacture of the cap & find the closest distributor--sometimes ebay may be the only viable place. you probably have a better chance with vintage radio people or even musical instrument peeps.

Some esoteric folks may have what you need but more likely expensive.

Some links which you may have found already
http://www.hificollective.co.uk/components/claritycap.html
http://stores.ebay.com/JustRadios-Capacitors-and-Resistors
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/oldradioparts/capacitor1.htm
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll

[torbjorn]

Have you tried Farnell, www.farnellinone.com ?

Another possibility for larger polypropylene capacitors is to not look at the catalog pages for "electronics" capacitors but check out the larger types for electric power uses (PFC for fluorescent tube fittings, starting capacitors for induction motors etc). Although they don't fit in well on a PCB, they have good electrical properties. Usually, they have 6,3 mm blade connectors and a M8 bolt for fastening.

[g0rak]

Farnell online turned out to be the supplier of choice. I wasn't quite able to find all the values I wanted (substituted a 2.2uF for 1.5uF) but the TV actually had a 1uF soldered in the 2.2uF place anyway so this should be okay. There was no separate category for "metal-foil" polyprops so I had to do a lot of data sheet checking to find suitable components. Luckily there is a data sheet associated with each product on the Farnell web site so this was made as easy as possible.
There was a minimum order of £20+VAT so I ordered some solder and other stuff + some spare caps in case anything goes wrong.

Thanks for all your help.

Simon