Anybody Got Data Sheets for Black Gate Caps?

pustelniakr

Silver Miner at Large
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I am considering Black Gate PK series caps for certain limited applications. However, even Rubycon and Jelmax don't seem to have any real data sheets. I need to know ESR (at 400 and 100kHz), loss tangent, etc. I refuse to design in a cap, just because it has the right value, and everyone says, "Use them. They're good." For simple audio coupling, OK, reputation is enough. However, I may need to use them in the signal path where signals centering on 38kHz are passing (to replace Pioneer CSSA series, or Sanyo M series caps were used).

I know Black Gate is scheduled to go out of production, but I believe Jelmax will find someone else (other than Rubycon who just opted out) to make their Black Gates, cash cow that they appear to be.

Further help would be if someone had data sheets for the old ('73 vintage) Sanyo M series caps, so I know what I'm replacing.

Can anybody help?

Rich P
 
I've not been able to find it so far. However, before you decide on getting Black Gates it is worth considering that there are plenty of electrolytic caps that will provide excellent performance at a more reasonable cost. The panasonic caps from digikey are highly appreciated around here. You could also consider caps made by Cornell-Dubilier. Welbourn labs makes the following claim about Elna Cerafine caps:


http://www.welbornelabs.com/elna.htm


"These capacitors from ELNA provide true audio reproduction by the suppression of electrical noise caused by external vibration. The ELNA Cerafine Series capacitors contain super fine ceramic particles which, through chemical reaction, improve the discharging speed between the anode and electrolyte. The result is less sensitivity to externally generated noise due to vibration which ultimately results in less distortion and increased clarity. Replace your existing power supply capacitors with these caps and notice the improvement. We believe the ELNA Cerafines are 98% as good as the Blackgates but are just a fraction of the price!"

I'm not sure why you would want data sheets for caps made in 1973. Certainly almost any half decent cap made today would outperform it.

In the end it is entirely up to you if you want to use the Black Gates or not.
If your goal is to aim for quality and price isn't an issue, you can easily make the choice to pick up black gates. You're probably right about Black Gate's future. The Japanese website seems very proud of them.


http://www.blackgate.jp/ebg.htm

http://www.secc.co.jp/retri_e/al_rlt_index_e.html

http://www.panasonic.com/industrial/components/pdf/ABA0000CE22.pdf

http://www.elna-america.com/products/pdf_files/AL/ROA.pdf

http://www.rubycon.co.jp/en/catalog/
 
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