I have an old HVAC capacitor that I'm using to understand different tests. It has 2 terminals and is labeled 2100 VAC, .77uf. Here are the tests I've done after discharging it:

1. with an ohm meter and one probe on each terminal: the needle deflects toward 0 then goes back up to max.
2. one probe on a terminal and the other on the body --> no continuity
3. with an LCR meter: 777nf and .6 ohms ESR

My understanding is that those tests mean the capacitor is good. But here's the part I'm confused about. I tried charging it up with a DC power supply set to 60V and 1 amp. Then I shut off the power supply, removed the wires, and tested it with my volt meter set to the 250 range and one probe on each termina. The result is 0 volts. Shouldn't it read 60v?

 

Try (carefully) a different order: removed the wires, shut off the power supply, tested it with my volt meter set to the 250 range

 

Most likely that capacitor is taken from the microwave oven. Such capacitors have a discharge resistor inside, about 5 MOhm, it's installed for the safety.
If the voltage was measured after a minute, the voltmeter will show 0 V

 

Most likely that capacitor is taken from the microwave oven. Such capacitors have a discharge resistor inside, about 5 MOhm, it's installed for the safety.
If the voltage was measured after a minute, the voltmeter will show 0 V

There was a resistor attached to one of the terminals.

 

Try (carefully) a different order: removed the wires, shut off the power supply, tested it with my volt meter set to the 250 range

When I do that, the meter registers about 25V and falls fast

 

Since you are using an analogue meter, which has a relatively low impedance and a slow response time, it is likely the cap was at 60 volts but dropped so fast under meter load that the needle didn't have time to swing to 60 before it had discharged considerably.

The cap seems ok to me from what you describe.

 

connect your voltmeter to capacitor... then charge it... and then observe what happens when you disconnect charger.

 

Because a capacitor charged to 2000 volts is a bit of a hazard, the resistor is there to discharge it rapidly. AND because it is "old" it possibly also has increased internal leakage as well.

 

When I do that, the meter registers about 25V and falls fast

as it should.