Silver Capacitors

[Rag and Bone]

A recent post that talked about silver capacitors got me thinking. I ran across 20 large, flask-shaped silver capacitors from an unidentified piece of industrial equipment. I smacked one with a pry-bar and fluid shot out. Anybody know what this material is? (The capacitors say "No PCBs)

Is there a non-chemical method to determine if the capacitor is silver?
(It is non-magnetic and is not corroded while everything else around it was rusted)

 

[Harold_V]

Can you say Schwerter's solution?

They're likely aluminum.

Harold

 

[lazersteve]

Rags,

Harold is dead on. From your description the caps are likely Aluminum Electrolytics . The 'juice' is an oily electrolyte (I recall it's an amine compound).

The electrolyte will stink like dead fish if heated with a soldering iron.

Steve

 

[Rag and Bone]

The liquid smelled something like bug spray. Is there a way to properly dispose of the liquid?

 

[junkelly]

If those capacitors have markings on them, and good connectors, they may be sellable. There are people that play with high voltage equipment as a hobby. I've seen capacitors from microwaves selling on eBay, and I doubt it's for use in microwaves. I've saved a few but haven't tried selling any yet. They sound similar to what you have - silver colored, flask shaped, about 4 inches in length.

-junkelly

 

[Rag and Bone]

These ones have been outdoors for many years. The tops are rusted, I don't think theyre suitable for use. They're ten inches tall.

Where are silver capacitors used?

 

[Rag and Bone]

OK. The big capacitors are Al. I went through a collection of "low grade boards". I pulled off any silver capacitors. Some were aluminum, some weren't. I can tell'em apart now 8) . Alot of odd-ball boards just got more interesting

 

[Smitty]

You don't mind posting pictures of the silver capacitor next to a normal cap do ya?