Hi Gang, I haven't had a problem with one yet, but a few of mine could be nearing
10 years. I do FIFO (first in first out) but some linger. Let me know if there has been
a problem for any of you so far. If not, I'll just keep on keepin on.

In what? Like, gonna take the caps out of your stereo, or something? Low voltage, high voltage? Transistor radios?

I have used many Nichicon caps in tube gear over a number of years now, and they have certainly "aged well" for me. So far, anyway.

The best policy, however, is to assume nothing. Any lytic (or any other cap, for that matter) may fail with or without provocation, and at any time. If you're concerned about any particular caps, check and replace as necessary.

Larry

I have always found Nichicons to be among the very best brands available, used thousands of them over the years in the shop and at home.

Recently I found some that were ~20 years old and they tested like new. I don't think 10 years is a problem, but obviously you want to use them sooner rather than later.

Sorry wazz, I was concerned that my parts inventory may be getting too old to
be reliable. Typical tube radio electrolytics.

The reliability of any piece of electronic equipment is inverse to the number of electrolytic capacitors it contains.

About 10 yrs ago i found some good deals on 450v lytics on Ebay buying 100 at a time. I use my Heathkit IT-28 to bring them up gradually, about 1 min, to full voltage. This is a recommended practice for caps sitting on the shelf for a few years.

I know caps need to be "formed". I take new lytics and test them at their rated voltage for a little bit till the current leakage reads very low. I have seen new caps put in a circuit and blow up, right off, so I pretty much like to test them when new, especially HV types.