capacitor question.

[Sic]

On the schem i'm doing it shows a capacitor and it shows which side the positive should go. I looked around and i can't find out how to determine which side is negative and which side is positive? this is prolly a n00b question with a really simple answer, but it alludes me yet still.

Thanks in Advance,
Sic

[Samuel]

Two indicators usually: a black stripe (often with negative symbols) running the length of the cap on the (-) side;

or failing that:

the two leads will be different lengths. The longer one is positive. Same is true of LEDs.

[Alex C]

The fourth from the left shows the minus sign and arrow pointing to the NEGATIVE lead.





Same on this one.  Hope that helps.


Alex

[Sic]

just found the answer, i think
  guide

Its a ceramic capacitor, which i should have mentioned... and according to this it doesn't matter which way it is put in.[/url]

[hawkeye2u]

ONLY elecrtolytic capacitors has to be polarized the right way around
All other caps doesn't matter
There ara also BP (bipolar electrolytics) usually used in Loudspeaker applications , such as crossover networks, or sometimes in TV sets in the East-West correction circuit
You can easily make them
IE U want 10uF bipolar, take 2 x 22uF and join the negative (the short leads together, solder and cut short, now the two outer leads or the 2 positives will now give U a BP 11uF. Close enough?

[Peter Snowberg]

ONLY elecrtolytic capacitors has to be polarized the right way around

While that is absolutely true, don't forget that Tantalums are electrolytics too!

We all to often think of aluminum electrolytics as the only electrolytics.

Tantalums are far more fussy about polarity than aluminum electrolytics.

Take care,
-Peter

[hawkeye2u]

U got me again mate
(Peter Snowberg- thats gotta be a American rename for a good old Swedish name)
I didn't mention the Tantalums for a VERY good reason, but strictly speaking , U R right again, as usual )
Only because I dont ever use Tantalums in Audio circuits.
I only use them when they are in a circuit THAT demands them, even then I have successfully replaced them with the ESR type, ie VERY low leakage current low noise electrolytic capacitors. With a better result, ie longer reliability!
Tantalums ARE NOT to be used in audio circuits( full stop) as they just SOUND BAD
Balls back in your court mate
Cheers

[gez]

Tantalums ARE NOT to be used in audio circuits( full stop) as they just SOUND BAD

It's all subjective at the end of the day.  I love Tantalum caps in distortion units.  They definitely change the sound slightly (seem to smooth it out) and I like the difference.

FX units are designed to change the sound of something, and not necessarily to accurately reproduce it.  Tants are just part of that process for me.

[Peter Snowberg]

I was just wanting to include them because you'll see a lot of references to them around pedals (probably because of size mostly). I wasn't looking to "get you" in any way there Hawkeye.

I'm from the same "caps have their own tone" school of thought. For clean tones, I prefer aluminum electrolytics bypassed with film. Dry tants do have that lifespan advantage though. I generally avoid using tants, but they do add some neat character as cathode resistor bypass caps in the right high gain tube circuits. The tubes seem to mellow the grain and convert it to something more like sizzle.

I have my biases, but my ears are fried and my musical taste isn't totally mainstream anyway. If I could, I would use film/foil caps everywhere. 22uF film caps just get too big for pedals. If you search the archives, I've ranted against the use of tants a time or two too.

You're correct on the name too... it's really Snöberg but alas there is only one "o" in the American alphabet.

Take care,
-Peter

PS: I always reserve the right to be wrong.

[hawkeye2u]

I was only saying NOT EVER in HiFi circuits, I should have been more spec, again bummed out, I usually write late in the evening and my cap is not on properly, mmmmmm beer!
As for dist units I don't know but point taken. That is also why I've joined this forum.
IT'S A BAD DAY IF YOU DON'T LEARN ANYTHING NEW!!

As for Peter Snöberg, , I have the same problem here in Oz, no åäö!!
My name is HÃ¥kan Forsberg, but over here or downunder Ive gotta spell it Hawkan to get the Ã¥ sound.  :shock: hence the Hawkeye name

Really enjoying this forum, Aron & Peter!!!

As a special req, Ive posted a few queries as per Fulldrive Fulltone2
I've rec heaps of info but can't seem to find the
Flat Mid mod(I have found FAT screamer, which seemes to be the "Flat Mid " mod) but nothing on the "comp cut mod"
Please help
Cheers