250 microfarads capacitors?

Thread Starter

mtericJL7

Joined Dec 31, 2007
4
I am looking for a capacitor that is rated at 250 microfarads for an amplifier project based around an LM386N IC. I've looked through the JAMECO catalog and I can't find caps for 250 microfarads. I can find caps for 220 microfarads though. Would I be able to use the 220 microfarads caps in place of the 250's? If you need to look at the circuit to be able to say whether or not the substitution will be acceptable, you can view the project I am building at the following URL: http://braincambre500.freeservers.com/LM386 Audio Amp.htm
Thank you for any help that you may provide.
 

SgtWookie

Joined Jul 17, 2007
22,230
Yes, that should work fine.

The purpose of that particular capacitor is to block DC current from flowing through the speaker, which might overheat the coil.

Note that with electrolytic capacitors, you should use twice the voltage rating expected in the circuit. Since your max voltage is limited to 9V, use a cap rated for at least 18V.

You COULD use a 16V cap if you wanted to.

If you're just experimenting, surplus caps would probably work fine.

Note that the smaller the value of that capacitor, the less base response you will have. However, it's not likely that you would notice the difference.
 

hgmjr

Joined Jan 28, 2005
9,027
I concur with the assessment on the suitability of using the 220uFd cap in place of the 250uFd subject to considerations he has outlined.

hgmjr
 

Audioguru

Joined Dec 20, 2007
11,248
With a 220uF capacitor, the output to an 8 ohm speaker is half power at 91Hz and lower frequencies will have less power.
I would use a 470uF capacitor for half power to occur at 43Hz so it doesn't rolloff the bass so much.

The author says to use a 0.05uF capacitor. Look at the picture of it to see that it is actually 0.047uF.
 

Audioguru

Joined Dec 20, 2007
11,248
Why bother connecting a tiny 22uF caoacitor in parallel with the 220uF capacitor?
The -3dB (half-power) cutoff frequency will change from 91Hz to 83Hz. You won't notice.
The 220uF capacitor might be 330uF anyway.
 

Dave

Joined Nov 17, 2003
6,969
Why bother connecting a tiny 22uF caoacitor in parallel with the 220uF capacitor?
The -3dB (half-power) cutoff frequency will change from 91Hz to 83Hz. You won't notice.
I think the point is that if the OP was adament that he required a 250uF cap, then it could be achieved using a small parallel arrangement of OTS components. I concur with the assessment that it will have few practical implications from using a 220uF cap, but there are means to achieve an end.

Dave
 

mrmeval

Joined Jun 30, 2006
833
For a 220uf 50vdc +-20 ( 264uf to 180uf ) it's about 2.88. Hell just buy a box and sort them by value, you will eventually find one at 250uf....it's what you'll get if you pay 20 for one that's "250uf +-10" which is the best you'll find that's in their normal stock unless you special order them and all they will do is pick off your spec as they run their normal production.

HEEEEE
:)

That box of 220uf will serve you well in the coming months. ;)
 
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