Capacitors What Value To Use, Polarized Or Not???

[WLS]

...  I wish there were posts like this for resistors, transistors, and diodes!  ... I learned a lot about the roles that capacitors play!

I agree the guys that contributed to this thead has done a wonderful job so far with their technical knowledge and accurately conveying it to print.

As far as transistors, diodes, and resistors are concerned. That would have to be another thread. And hopefully another time, allowing everyone to focus on capacitors for the moment.

Yesterday I finally got around to looking this item up.

... Google "RC Filter calculator" to find out how various combinations of capacitor values and resistor values filter frequencies.

I alway's knew that their was a relatioship there. But till now I did not fully understand. So, armed with this piece of information. I no longer have to worry about buying every little capacitor for every project that I want to do.

If I am right, as long as you have a good invetory of resistors and capacitors you can use any calculated combination to achieve the schematics result.

I know that I, and I am sure the others here also thank you for your comment.

Knowledge is power, I am glad you got something meaningful from this thread.


Bill

[armstrom]

I alway's knew that their was a relatioship there. But till now I did not fully understand. So, armed with this piece of information. I no longer have to worry about buying every little capacitor for every project that I want to do.

If I am right, as long as you have a good invetory of resistors and capacitors you can use any calculated combination to achieve the schematics result.

While this is true in theory, the reality is that your choices are usually more limited. In a pedal design the RC filters are always surrounded by other circuit elements that have their own impedances and capacitance.  Also, changing impedance values simply to use a different capacitor value may affect other areas of the circuit. Small changes shouldn't be an issue but be careful of drastic changes.

[MannequinRaces]

...  I wish there were posts like this for resistors, transistors, and diodes!  ... I learned a lot about the roles that capacitors play!

I agree the guys that contributed to this thead has done a wonderful job so far with their technical knowledge and accurately conveying it to print.

As far as transistors, diodes, and resistors are concerned. That would have to be another thread. And hopefully another time, allowing everyone to focus on capacitors for the moment.

Agree completely!

... Google "RC Filter calculator" to find out how various combinations of capacitor values and resistor values filter frequencies.

That's an awesome calculator!!

I alway's knew that their was a relatioship there. But till now I did not fully understand. So, armed with this piece of information. I no longer have to worry about buying every little capacitor for every project that I want to do.

If I am right, as long as you have a good invetory of resistors and capacitors you can use any calculated combination to achieve the schematics result.

Too bad I just ordered a bunch of caps when I could have just used that calculator and got away with ordering less!   

[panterica]

This is a great thread. I've learned a lot as well.

For my first project I built a Rocket fuzz. I had soldered one of the caps in the tone stack instead of socketing it. It was a little too bassy for me so instead of replacing it, I soldered another cap of a smaller value right there with it. What happened was that the tone became more focused and a little brighter just as I was hoping it would.  From what I understand now about caps in parallel, this should have increased the capacitance and therefor cut even more high frequencies, right..??

[col]

Thanks for the kind words about my son. There are posts like this about resistors and transistors and diodes etc. I learned most of what I know from this forum and other stuff on the internet. There are so many people on here who are only too willing to help others it's great!
Ask away! Someone will help.

Col

[WLS]

... changing impedance values simply to use a different capacitor value may affect other areas of the circuit. Small changes shouldn't be an issue but be careful of drastic changes.

Oh, I fully agree, and this is a very good point, that making changes will create a ripple effect throughout the circuit and should be done conservatively.

But on the other side if your just playing with a circuit and not after a particular sound then mixing things up a bit maybe good.

...

That's an awesome calculator!!
...

I agree that is an awsome calculator.

...  caps in parallel, this should have increased the capacitance and therefor cut even more high frequencies ...

Actually, I believe it will target a lower frequency rolling off the higher ones.

Thanks to everyone for your replies,

Bill