uf/mf?

[Culley713]

I am building a ts808 and I just realized that I ordered .22mf tant. caps instead of .22uf tant. caps.  Are these the same thing or completely different?  Also if they are different, would it cause my 1st attempt at a ts808 to completely not work (no sound at all)?

Thanks

[liddokun]

They are the same. mf stands for microfarads, the u is the greek symbol used for micro as well.  some dealers label them mf, some label them uf.

[cheeb]

I'm sorry that it doesn't work! If you post some details then maybe someone here can help you get it fixed. MOST IMPORTANTLY check the "What To Do When It Doesn't Work" thread. http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=29816.0

[liddokun]

Cheeb, I think you misread the post. He said IF the caps are not the same, would it not work?  It doesn't mean it hasn't worked yet.

[Alex C]

First, welcome to the forum! 

Where did you obtain the caps?
Here are a few threads detailing the differences between uF, µF, mF, etc.
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=65008.0
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=42734.0
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=45374.0

In the unlikely event that you did somehow get .22milliFarad tantalum caps, I would say that using them in the Tube Screamer circuit would affect the tone control and the overall "tone" of the circuit, but it should still function; this would not cause the effect to "completely not work."

Also, at what stage is the build?  I can't tell from your wording whether your circuit is currently not working and you're wondering if the caps are to blame, or if you're just anticipating a future problem.

I hope those threads will help answer your question.  Good luck with the rest of the build, and keep us posted on your progress!

-Alex

[SonicVI]

Wouldn't a milliFarad cap probably be really big, physically?

[Naz Nomad]

I have used mF caps (no, not in a pedal lol), and yes, they were BIG.

mF is millifarads and , everybody knows it but nobody will admit it ... I even emailed Smallbear to explain that they label capacitors wrongly on their website, this is what I got back ...

"Since I was a kid, the U.S. desi for caps has always been: mf or uf = "microfarad." I stick to that usage, though I am aware that the European convention differs. I hope that explains things."

All that explains is that you don't know the difference between mF and μF. I hope you never try any really delicate electronics, because shoving millivolts into a circuit designed for microvolts is going to make some pretty smoke signals.

A more plausible explanation is this ... The use of MFD for microfarad is an older industrial marking, (usually with industrial paints or inks) probably more common still with motor parts. the Greek mu (μ) will be found more often on modern audio and computer parts (silkscreened or electrostatically printed). Part of the reason is that in older printing practises, special characters were rare and more expensive to set up. With modern printing (usually with computer generated graphics and fonts) there is no cost difference, or problems with availability of alphabets.



Way to go Michael old bean, you tell 'em. 

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

I wonder if Michael's capacity was One Farad?

[liddokun]

I have used mF caps (no, not in a pedal lol), and yes, they were BIG.

mF is millifarads and , everybody knows it but nobody will admit it ... I even emailed Smallbear to explain that they label capacitors wrongly on their website, this is what I got back ...

"Since I was a kid, the U.S. desi for caps has always been: mf or uf = "microfarad." I stick to that usage, though I am aware that the European convention differs. I hope that explains things."

All that explains is that you don't know the difference between mF and μF. I hope you never try any really delicate electronics, because shoving millivolts into a circuit designed for microvolts is going to make some pretty smoke signals.

A more plausible explanation is this ... The use of MFD for microfarad is an older industrial marking, (usually with industrial paints or inks) probably more common still with motor parts. the Greek mu (μ) will be found more often on modern audio and computer parts (silkscreened or electrostatically printed). Part of the reason is that in older printing practises, special characters were rare and more expensive to set up. With modern printing (usually with computer generated graphics and fonts) there is no cost difference, or problems with availability of alphabets.

I wasn't aware of this.  I always thought that mf and uf meant the same thing, since that's how Steve labels em.  Well, now I know better if I ever end up ordering off of any European suppliers.  Thanks for the clarification.