Simple Electrolytic question(s)

[Gerard]

Hi, I am putting together a 5e3 using 6l6's and 5ar4 recto, along with upgraded PT and OT. My question is, do I have to increase the size of the (3)16uf filter caps to handle the extra voltage? also what in the circuit determins the value of the filter caps? Will larger caps, (22uf) make the amp more (punchy) because of it's ability to store more voltage? I already have a (stock) 5e3 and would like this amp to have a different sound.



Thanks, Gerard

[gldtp99]

You could use this JJ 40/20/20/20uF@500V cap can :40-20-20-20 UF 500V Clamp Mount

Of course cap size is up to you, the builder-----Generally the higher the uF, the tighter the amp will sound----a 5AR4 is rated for a max of 60uF for the input cap (1st stage of filtering--- usually the output tube plates). You can use any value you wish for the stages after that------Huge differences in filtering value will result in rather drastic changes in tone--- so that's why i've suggested the JJ can above----use the 40uF section for the 6L6 plates and the other sections down the line for the other power supply stages. I doubt that changing all caps from 16uF to 22uF would produce much audible difference.
Voltage rating of the filter caps is another matter-----make sure that the voltage applied to each cap isn't over it's rated voltage--- or it will die an early death, maybe immediately depending on cap rating and applied voltage.
An upgraded 5e3 circuit with 6L6's and 6L6-sized iron is very close to the Fender 5e5 schematic----i've built, and sold locally, several amps based on this circuit and the JJ multi section filter cap can listed above has been used in most of them----Of course you can always use individual caps on a turret or eyelet board if you wish instead of the multi-section can.
Here's a Knight model 93 conversion to a 5e5-type circuit that uses the JJ can listed above. This one uses a 5U4GB rec and is true point-to-point--- later ones are turret board and some have ss recs, full tone stacks, lead boosts, etc.

This was the first one i did and it led to other similar scratch builds.........................gldtp99