Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by Tade0 1492 days ago
> Electrolytic Capacitors are perishable, they age even when not used.

But not that perishable. I have some old electronics, along with fully analog devices (guitar effects) and they, along with their power supplies(which get hot) still work.

> People arent surprised when servicing cars, why different expectations with modern electronics?

Because they have orders of magnitude less moving parts - if any.at all. Is it unreasonable to expect something that has one moving part to not fail after two years?

Actually, I wouldn't want a car exhibiting mechanical problems after such a short period.

1 comments

Old gear didnt depend on low ESR (simplified resistance at high frequencies). Every time you turn on a piece of electronic with linear power supply electrolytic caps will slowly reform and start working better and better with time. Modern gear is DC-DC converters all the way down. Aged cap means no supply voltage at all (doesnt turn on), or crazy ripple (crashes, produces funny sound or visible artifacts).

>Actually, I wouldn't want a car exhibiting mechanical problems after such a short period.

Nobody would, thats what scheduled services are for.