Re: Maxwell VS. MMC capacitors

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: Mddeming-at-aol-dot-com 

In a message dated 2/29/04 1:27:55 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
tesla-at-pupman-dot-com writes:
If you're going to do some testing be sure to buy the Maxwell caps NEW and
Compare them to NEW MMC's.  Most experimenters buy used/surplus Maxwell caps
and then complain about early failure.  They have absolutely no idea how
many pulses the surplus cap's dielectric has sustained so any test is
totally unfair.
In scientific terms, using used caps totally invalidates the comparison
experiment --- in scientific terms it's called prejudice.

Dr. Resonance

Hi Doc,
     It seems to me that this could also be considered a type of slanted 
test. You are comparing a new MMC (which most amateur coilers can afford) 
to a new Maxwell (which most amateur coilers can't afford). This is a fair 
comparison only as long as cost is no object. It's a technically accurate 
comparison, but of little practical use to a person of modest means who 
can't charge off their hobby to a company or school R&D account.
  (like I did way back in college.) ;-)
     There is also a validity for hobbyist coilers in comparing an 
affordable MMC to an affordable Maxwell, even if it means that the latter 
is used. For example, a new Ferrari will run circles around a new Ford, but 
a new Ford selling for $20K is much more reliable transportation than an 
old Ferrari selling for $25K..
     Both types of test have validity as long as you specify the criteria 
for the comparison.

Matt D.