freestompboxes.org

Seishin wrote:We use http://mouser.com/catalog/catalogUSD/638/847.pdf Greenies. Why? They are inexpensive, readily available, and sound good.

The truth be told, most of the AVX metal films are the same price or cheaper than the Xicons from Mouser, unless you're ordering in quantities of 500 units or more.

And for a lot of R/C networks where it would take an odd resistor to get the shelf or curve right, the goofy in between cap values can simplify things a bunch.

But my fave thing about the box caps is that I can populate a board in a fraction of the time that those long lead greenies take, and the leads rarely need trimming. It's also easier and faster to solder a slew of caps that don't have leads sticking up all over the place.

Many advantages to the box caps. Just some things to consider (not that you haven't).

Good point about efficiency! I may have to do a test. We do order caps by the metric boatload though.

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MoonWatcher wrote:

Seishin wrote:We use http://mouser.com/catalog/catalogUSD/638/847.pdf Greenies. Why? They are inexpensive, readily available, and sound good.

The truth be told, most of the AVX metal films are the same price or cheaper than the Xicons from Mouser, unless you're ordering in quantities of 500 units or more.

And for a lot of R/C networks where it would take an odd resistor to get the shelf or curve right, the goofy in between cap values can simplify things a bunch.

But my fave thing about the box caps is that I can populate a board in a fraction of the time that those long lead greenies take, and the leads rarely need trimming. It's also easier and faster to solder a slew of caps that don't have leads sticking up all over the place.

Many advantages to the box caps. Just some things to consider (not that you haven't).

MoonWatcher wrote:

Seishin wrote:We use http://mouser.com/catalog/catalogUSD/638/847.pdf Greenies. Why? They are inexpensive, readily available, and sound good.

The truth be told, most of the AVX metal films are the same price or cheaper than the Xicons from Mouser, unless you're ordering in quantities of 500 units or more.

And for a lot of R/C networks where it would take an odd resistor to get the shelf or curve right, the goofy in between cap values can simplify things a bunch.

But my fave thing about the box caps is that I can populate a board in a fraction of the time that those long lead greenies take, and the leads rarely need trimming. It's also easier and faster to solder a slew of caps that don't have leads sticking up all over the place.

Many advantages to the box caps. Just some things to consider (not that you haven't).

Problem with the AVX caps is they've been discontinued. It's a real drag because I loved those things...

PaulC

paulc wrote:
Problem with the AVX caps is they've been discontinued. It's a real drag because I loved those things...

PaulC

There's a company in Australia called Altronics that sell cream coloured boxed metal films that they claim in their catalogue are manufactured by AVX.

paulc wrote:
Problem with the AVX caps is they've been discontinued. It's a real drag because I loved those things...

PaulC

Aw man... That is the letdown of the day! I loved them as well - I've been using them so much that it's become as automatic as tying my shoes.

I guess it's back to the Wimas.

MoonWatcher wrote:

paulc wrote:
Problem with the AVX caps is they've been discontinued. It's a real drag because I loved those things...

PaulC

Aw man... That is the letdown of the day! I loved them as well - I've been using them so much that it's become as automatic as tying my shoes.

I guess it's back to the Wimas.

We had been using AVX box caps for about two years. It was really disappointing when i found out they were going to be gone. I thought they sounded moderately better than wimas, and their construction was more uniform. More than anything else, I liked that Mouser stocked a lot of different values of the AVX caps. .0082, .033 etc. Not so with a lot of other box caps that they keep around

So then what are you guys using instead of the AVX? Does this mean they'll reach Tropical Fish status in a few years? If so, I'll save the few that I have left

dap9 wrote:So then what are you guys using instead of the AVX?

It's back to the Wimas until I find something comparable to the AVX line. And has been already noted, the AVX's seem to have been an improvement over the Wima stuff.

I really liked the AVX plastic casing - softer than the Wimas. I could populate a board with dental surgeon's precision, since the needle nose would hold fast to the AVX casing. Meanwhile, the Wimas would spin around or "launch" from the needle nose on occasion, because of the harder plastic casing.

paulc wrote:
Problem with the AVX caps is they've been discontinued. It's a real drag because I loved those things...

PaulC

When did AVX stop making these ?

I guess we're benefitting from old stock in Australia, but we can still get these fairly readily.

These are the AVX we all know: http://australia.rs-online.com/web/sear ... &R=5373274

These are also claimed to be AVX Brand: http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?a ... &id=R3001A

MoonWatcher wrote:

dap9 wrote:So then what are you guys using instead of the AVX?

It's back to the Wimas until I find something comparable to the AVX line. And has been already noted, the AVX's seem to have been an improvement over the Wima stuff.

I really liked the AVX plastic casing - softer than the Wimas. I could populate a board with dental surgeon's precision, since the needle nose would hold fast to the AVX casing. Meanwhile, the Wimas would spin around or "launch" from the needle nose on occasion, because of the harder plastic casing.

If you don't mind, which Wimas do you prefer? I just ordered a bunch of the greenies, and still have a bunch of the AVX, but I'll try the Wimas for my next order. Thanks.

dap9 wrote:If you don't mind, which Wimas do you prefer?

I was using the MKS2 series with a 5% tolerance.

http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDet ... b6HPI1E%3d

The MKP2 series will also work, but they are more expensive, and there are less values to choose from.

Greg_G wrote:

paulc wrote:
Problem with the AVX caps is they've been discontinued. It's a real drag because I loved those things...

PaulC

When did AVX stop making these ?

I guess we're benefitting from old stock in Australia, but we can still get these fairly readily.

These are the AVX we all know: http://australia.rs-online.com/web/sear ... &R=5373274

These are also claimed to be AVX Brand: http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?a ... &id=R3001A

They killed the line back in Feb. You'll still be able to find them for a bit - they made a ton, but they're going fast.

paulc wrote: They killed the line back in Feb. You'll still be able to find them for a bit - they made a ton, but they're going fast.

Is there anyone else making a boxed metallised poly cap like this ?

i was just talking to solidhex about these vishay boxes-

http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDet ... oGFJJzQ%3d

supposed to be very nice.

RnFR wrote:i was just talking to solidhex about these vishay boxes-

http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDet ... oGFJJzQ%3d

supposed to be very nice.

Thanks RnFR.
At least there's still something similar available.. a bit pricey though for a 10% cap..

Greg_G wrote:

RnFR wrote:i was just talking to solidhex about these vishay boxes-

http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDet ... oGFJJzQ%3d

supposed to be very nice.

Thanks RnFR.
At least there's still something similar available.. a bit pricey though for a 10% cap..

I just got some of those recently in 220nF value because the AVX ones were sold out (forever, now?). They are nice - good quality. Too bad about the AVX stuff - they are like the early 21st century's Greenies; everyone uses them!

this thread is a split-off from the Catalin Dirty Little Secret thread in Boutique Dissected...Makes more sense (a lot) to move it here.
I'm working on cleaning out that thread by way of test in order to keep the bare circuit analysis discussion in that folder.

Mouser has a few values of the 100 volt XICON 1430 series of box caps. They're not nearly as sexy as the AVX or wimas. They are relatively cheap, and that works for me.

http://www.mouser.com/catalog/specsheets/meb.pdf