> Dan;
>
> I can't think of any "down side" to keeping the capacitor charged -- on
the other hand, there's a real down side to keeping it discharged. If it's
stored for more than a couple of years, the cap's basically unable to
retain a charge anymore. This is because, in it's discharged state, an
electrolytic capacitor's electrolyte can dry out, becoming chemically
inactive. This doesn't mean the flash is toast, though; I assume you can
take it apart and get a new capacitor put in (a good electronics parts
store should be able to provide a replacement that's a physical and
electrical equivalent).
>
> My old Vivitar 283 came with instructions to "form" the capacitor at
least once a month if it was stored for any length of time, to keep the cap
in good shape. I've owned it for fifteen years now, and it's still going
strong.
>
> Garth
______________________________________
I don't think leaving the E-caps in discharged state will make it easier to
dry, at least there will be no different if the E-caps are always in
charged or fully discharged condition. The E-cap you bought from store may
be manufactured for years until they are sold and for sure they are not
charged.
It is true that a E-cap long in discharge condition will have a leakage
current higher than normal, but when you charge it once the leakage will
drop to normal.
C.H.Ling
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