AR3 capacitor replacement question

[wendelltate]

Hi. I have a pair of early AR3 speakers. One of the serial numbers is C08740 for reference.

I have the woofer out to clean the pots and was wondering if I need to replace the caps? I already have them but have been reading that the early AR3 caps are probably ok.

Also, this is probably a dumb question but ...are the caps the only thing that is in the box labeled Industrial Condenser Corporation...?

Thanks in advance

 

[GD70]

If you have the big oil can caps, leave them in there. If it's the wax block cap, then put in replacement caps. You can leave the original block there, just cut the wires and install caps of equal, or close to equal value.

Post some pics so we can see what ya got.

Mine are earlier than yours and have the can caps. They sound superb.
Do a google search here for cleaning the pots.

I also did a documented thread restoring my 3's which you may find helpful.

Glenn

 

[wendelltate]

Thanks Glenn. Here are some pics. How do I know which caps I have without breaking that box open?

 

[GD70]

Says it right on the block. 24uf, 6uf.
Parts Express will have these or close to these values. These are no polar caps.

The pots may be the bigger challenge. Pull them out and open them up. Corrosion could be very mild to needing to be replaced.

The cabs look gorgeous!

Glenn

 

[wendelltate]

Thanks. I already purchased the caps. I bought 2x12uf to use for the 24 and a 6uf for each speaker. So I am going to do as you said earlier and just install those new caps right there. I went back and read your previous comment. Thanks again!!

I worked the cabinets over using Restore a Finish and the beeswax product that Howards makes. They are beautiful.

 

[dobyman]

Those cabinets are really nice. Sure better than mine were. Make sure and read Glenn's thread about restoring these. That was my bible when I did mine. And thanks again to all the AK people that offered their advice when I did mine. Never could have done them without all of the help.
Keep posting pics. I know I am interested! :thmbsp:

 

[wendelltate]

So these speakers haven't had any sound from the mids since I have had them. The pots are very scratchy. I have cleaned one set and replaced the capacitors. They still do not produce any sound from the mids. Can I test the midrange drivers? If so, how?
Also, are there currently any replacement potentiometers on the market? Our should I just replace with L-pads?

 

[dobyman]

I replaced mine with Ohmite RHS15RE from Allied Elctronics. Not exactly cheap, but worth every penny. They are bullet proof. But you need to make a box or enclosure for them.
You can probably touch the leads on the outside of the mids with speaker wires. Low volume, just to test.

 

[GD70]

So these speakers haven't had any sound from the mids since I have had them. The pots are very scratchy. I have cleaned one set and replaced the capacitors. They still do not produce any sound from the mids. Can I test the midrange drivers? If so, how?
Also, are there currently any replacement potentiometers on the market? Our should I just replace with L-pads?

Some here have used omites(sp?) to replace the original pots.

vintage-ar sell replacement pots as well.

You'll need to disconnect the mids wires and test on a meter. If open, they're most likely dead. Also try connecting the wires from the amp directly to the mids, set the volume very low, see if sound comes out of them. Replacements show up on fleabay fairly regularly.

Glenn