output capacitor question.

[TimWaldvogel]

when it come to the output capacitors on dirt boxes it seems alot of schematics show an electrolytic. is this for polarity reasons? or simply just coincidence? can you use film?

[PRR]

You may be driving a low impedance. For full bass, this means a "large"-value capacitor, over 0.05uFd. In this range, a 2u or 5u electro may be cheaper than a 0.1u or 0.2u film cap.

[TimWaldvogel]

but if i did decide to but a huge 1 uf film it wouldnt be a problem polarity wise? so long as it sounds good?

[Suicufnoc]

but if i did decide to but a huge 1 uf film it wouldnt be a problem polarity wise? so long as it sounds good?

It would work fine.  I prefer using electrolytics because of the large size of standard film caps.

[R.G.]

If other secondary effects are not considered, you can always use a non-polarized cap of equal capacitance and voltage rating where a polarized cap is used.

Actually finding a non-polarized type that will fit and that you can afford can be tough. But there is no primary reason it won't work.

The reverse is not true. You should not use a polarized type where the voltage across it is reversed, even for short times by signal.

Isn't this in the FAQ?

[DavenPaget]

If other secondary effects are not considered, you can always use a non-polarized cap of equal capacitance and voltage rating where a polarized cap is used.

Actually finding a non-polarized type that will fit and that you can afford can be tough. But there is no primary reason it won't work.

The reverse is not true. You should not use a polarized type where the voltage across it is reversed, even for short times by signal.

Isn't this in the FAQ?

I still didn't quite get it ...
Anyway , is it okay to use an electro on something unknown whether it is polarized or unipolar ?

[Seven64]

If other secondary effects are not considered, you can always use a non-polarized cap of equal capacitance and voltage rating where a polarized cap is used.

Actually finding a non-polarized type that will fit and that you can afford can be tough. But there is no primary reason it won't work.

The reverse is not true. You should not use a polarized type where the voltage across it is reversed, even for short times by signal.

Isn't this in the FAQ?

I still didn't quite get it ...
Anyway , is it okay to use an electro on something unknown whether it is polarized or unipolar ?

you can use it, but if you install the electro backwards the circuit won't work. and if it is in a spot where the current can switch directions you will have problems regardless of its orientation.

[petemoore]

   +--+
  or
  -++-
  or
      -+
<            >  {parallel with +- at one and the other end.
     +-   
  Nonpolarized = bipolar...
   By putting directional capacitence in both directions, a non-polarized capacitence ['built' from 2, opposite polarized capacitors] = nonpolar capacitence.
   Double the capacitence when/if you parallel a capacitor position [2 caps in a capacitor position], halve the capacitence if using a series-built 2 capacitor/capacitence.
   Looking at the diagrams there is no polarized 'side' to any of the configurations shown, this takes extra room to put in, but allows building your uf value as well as having a uf value desired in nonpolar configuration...just takes a couple polarized caps to make a non-polar capacitor.

[R.G.]

I still didn't quite get it ...

- You can use a non-polarized capacitor in all cases.

- You can only use a polarized capacitor where the circuit keeps it correctly polarized.

Anyway , is it okay to use an electro on something unknown whether it is polarized or unipolar ?

It depends. Do you feel lucky?   

- A polarized electro will fail if it's connected to the reverse polarity, even part time.

- How fast it fails depends on how big the reverse voltage is and how much current flows.

- With a little knowledge of circuits and/or a meter, there is no excuse for something being an unknown voltage direction. One can either figure it out or measure it.

- Capacitors come in two major kinds: electrolytic, and everything else.

- Electros come in two flavors: polarized and non-polar, which is actually BI-polar.

- Polarized electros can only be used where there is always a voltage greater than zero on them in the right direction.

- Non-polar (NP) and bi-polar (BP) electros are actually two capacitors connected in series opposing.

- NP and BP are made that way so there is always one of them properly polarized no matter which direction the voltage is.

[DavenPaget]

I still didn't quite get it ...

- You can use a non-polarized capacitor in all cases.

- You can only use a polarized capacitor where the circuit keeps it correctly polarized.

Anyway , is it okay to use an electro on something unknown whether it is polarized or unipolar ?

It depends. Do you feel lucky?   

- A polarized electro will fail if it's connected to the reverse polarity, even part time.

- How fast it fails depends on how big the reverse voltage is and how much current flows.

- With a little knowledge of circuits and/or a meter, there is no excuse for something being an unknown voltage direction. One can either figure it out or measure it.

- Capacitors come in two major kinds: electrolytic, and everything else.

- Electros come in two flavors: polarized and non-polar, which is actually BI-polar.

- Polarized electros can only be used where there is always a voltage greater than zero on them in the right direction.

- Non-polar (NP) and bi-polar (BP) electros are actually two capacitors connected in series opposing.

- NP and BP are made that way so there is always one of them properly polarized no matter which direction the voltage is.

From the depths of hell : STRILLONE POSITEUR PERFORMANTE !
PS : I am not an italian .
The 1uF cap on the switch , in the FuB schem it was a uni-polar cap , but i believe placing a electro cap should be fine there right ?