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Leaky capacitor woes.
From: Adam[SMTP:absmith-at-tiac-dot-net]
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 1997 11:03 PM
To: tesla list
Subject: Leaky capacitor woes.
I have built a flat plate cap, which at first seemed great, but now
demonstrates a great oil leakage problem. The cap is made from LDPE and
Aluminum plates, and it is housed in a rubbermaid polypropylene storage
box. I "sealed" the box by hot-gluing a plexiglass panel over the top.
This cap leaks oil something fierce. The problem is I cannot figure out
exactly how the oil is getting out. I have a clean dry cap, and then I
come back 4 hours later and it is sitting in a pool of oil. The oil is
Exxon Univolt N61. I have already checked for leaks, and have found that
the hot glue does not adhere at all with the plexiglas, allowing oil to
flow freely out through the junction if I tip the container so that the
oil is in direct contact with this seam. However, there is normally 1"
of air space above the top of the oil and below the seam. So, I have two
theories:
1. The oil is evaporating and condensing on the plexiglas (observed) and
must then be "rolling" along the plexiglas surface to the hot glue seam,
where it freely leaks out thanks to capillary action.
2. The oil is passing through the polypropylene container itself.
Evidence suggests theory #1, but I have not ruled out the second theory,
as the capacitor seems to be oily all over.
Any ideas?
-Adam
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Adam Smith
absmith-at-tiac-dot-net
Epoch, Inc. Digital Music Project
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