On Sep 13, 2005, at 7:53 AM, Mark Roberts wrote:
I fear it is one *more* thing to be concerned about, as a button
battery needs a simple removal/replacement procedure when it
reaches
its end of life, while a condensator needs *soldering*.
but maybe its life is long enough to make no difference at all...
Capacitors last virtually forever. They just don't store as much
energy as a battery does.
Aluminum electrolytics dry out and die with age.
This must be the type in the PS of my 8-yo telly. They were all
replaced at the tune of 73 GBP this week...
Yep. Filter capacitors in power supplies are almost always aluminum
electrolytic types, because the capacity and voltage ratings make
other
types too expensive (if the necessary ratings are available at all).
Heat accelerates the aging process, and it gets very warm inside a
television set.
I don't know what type of capacitor they use, but it doesn't have to
hold much charge nor can it be stressed much to supply enough power
to retain settings for 48 hours. I suspect it will last for many many
years.
Godfrey
