Opinions on Nichicon VX electrolytics?

[riz]

I have used several of these 450v caps with good results. Readily available locally and cheap, and I like their small size for discreetly replacing cap cans when gluing them in the chassis, vs. Sprague Atoms, which I usually used in the past, especially for Fenders. I have read Chuck H's comments on their premium line of caps, but was wondering what others thought of the VX. I just re-capped an old Alamo Fury (cool amp, BTW...) which is running B+ at 429v, and it occurred to me I could run series caps for a higher voltage capacity, and I will likely do that in the future once I look into their other offerings. Am I cutting it too close with these caps? Thoughts?

[Ronsonic]

Once upon a time, electrolytics came with a "Working Voltage" and "Surge Voltage" rating. Somewhere along the line everyone just sorta agreed that the Surge was 10% ish above the WVDC rating and started leaving it off. You're caps are fine in there.

I've been very unimpressed with the Sprague Atoms. They have nice long heavy leads and otherwise no advantages at all.

[DIY_Guy]

I use a mix of Nichicon electrolytics, usually whatever is the cheapest in stock, one of them being the VX.

I've never had a problem with any of them. And unlike the more expensive mojo brands, all my Nichicon's usually measure right at their printed value. My Sprague and Mallory axial electrolytics that I've used in the past measure way out of their allowed tolerance.

[riz]

Cool, nice to hear. Suppose I was a little worried these were prone to failure running near maximum ratings. I find myself quite liking these. They do what they're supposed to without making me feel ripped off!

[Ronsonic]

They do what they're supposed to without making me feel ripped off!

Ya gotta have standards.

That's about what you can hope for these days, times being how they are.*




* Times being indifferent.

[riz]

Maybe I should show these to my lawyer!!