I have an old TenTec Argosy II that hasn’t been powered up for 20 years.
How long can electronics go unpowered before I have to worry about the electrolytic needed a slow power up with a Variac?
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2$\begingroup$ Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat. $\endgroup$– Kevin Reid AG6YO ♦Apr 19, 2019 at 22:24
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2$\begingroup$ @MarcusMüller Consider writing an answer instead of leaving many comments. $\endgroup$– Kevin Reid AG6YO ♦Apr 19, 2019 at 22:24
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$\begingroup$ Please post comments into this answer's chat and not here. Please read the commenting guidelines as to what should and should not be posted in comments. $\endgroup$– Mike Waters ♦Jun 27, 2019 at 17:03
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$\begingroup$ I'm looking, but I don't see a chat area. The presence of a chat area is new to me. $\endgroup$– kd4ttcJun 29, 2019 at 22:38
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1 Answer
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There is no set time period. Play it safe, bring it up slowly and be done with it.
You can also put a ~100w incandescent lamp in series with the AC line (or better yet, a clamp-on AC current meter) as you bring up the voltage. If the capacitors are not bad, then the lamp should dim as the capacitors charge.
answered Apr 19, 2019 at 19:57
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2$\begingroup$ The Argosy manual calls for a separate, external power supply. Are there electrolytics internal to the radio that could be a problem? OTOH, there appears to be numerous slug-tuned coils ... could require alignment! $\endgroup$ Apr 19, 2019 at 22:07
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1$\begingroup$ I thought I'd power up the power supply first unloaded to spare the transceiver. $\endgroup$– kd4ttcApr 19, 2019 at 23:27
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1$\begingroup$ @kd4ttc Great idea. :-) Also, I've added some information about reforming capacitors in this question's chat room. $\endgroup$– Mike Waters ♦Apr 20, 2019 at 17:56