Film capacitors options

[onanysunday]

siemens stacked-film mkt are among the higher performing polyesters; along with mylar, petp (and perhaps others).

 

[HalfApt]

I haven't seen those before. They have a nice, small form factor.

I only found out about them by happenstance. Browsing the web looking for technical info about C0G caps, stumbled on a TI paper titled "Selecting Capacitors to Minimize Distortion in Audio Applications", wherein TI mentioned acrylic film for audio AC coupling.

So started looking into them, and found that CDE, Panasonic and Rubycon all made them. CDE and Panasonic were limited to 1uF, but Rubycon went up to 22uF! Exemplary specs and mind-boggling small.

Rubycon MU Series PMLCap

Digikey had a few in-stock, so grabbed a dozen to try. Went with direct soldered wire before committing to tiny PCBs for mounting. If they work out, a person could parallel 5x22uF on a tiny board for 110uF in a footprint SMALLER than some 100uF electrolytics!

Hopefully, price will come down & availability will go up.

@onanysunday, your username indicates a bike rider? Can't remember how many times I've watched that show!

 

[HalfApt]

This type of polyester cap was used pretty widely in the 1970s to 1980s, mostly in aerospace and some high-end audio as I've been able to ascertain. I bought some recently manufactured for one project. They came with the legs attached, but similar idea to what Sean is showing with the acrylic caps.

I always liked their look too. I have a boatload of them (Siemens MKC polycarbonate) that I bought back in the late '70s/early '80s, 10nF up to 390nF. I like and use them when I can, but it seems most projects I go for need other values!

 

[onanysunday]

I only found out about them by happenstance. Browsing the web looking for technical info about C0G caps, stumbled on a TI paper titled "Selecting Capacitors to Minimize Distortion in Audio Applications", wherein TI mentioned acrylic film for audio AC coupling.

So started looking into them, and found that CDE, Panasonic and Rubycon all made them. CDE and Panasonic were limited to 1uF, but Rubycon went up to 22uF! Exemplary specs and mind-boggling small.

Rubycon MU Series PMLCap

Digikey had a few in-stock, so grabbed a dozen to try. Went with direct soldered wire before committing to tiny PCBs for mounting. If they work out, a person could parallel 5x22uF on a tiny board for 110uF in a footprint SMALLER than some 100uF electrolytics!

Hopefully, price will come down & availability will go up.

@onanysunday, your username indicates a bike rider? Can't remember how many times I've watched that show!

Yes, on any sunday is my favorite film and I'm a (former) biker. Let's hope prices come down.