Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/09/19

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: Autoflash reliability
From: "Dan Post" <dwpost@email.msn.com>
Date: Sat, 19 Sep 1998 10:39:00 -0400

D.C.-
Actually, reforming the capacitor is a good translation. Most electronic
equipment use what are know as "electrolytic" capacitors. The charge, is
stored on metal 'plates'(actually a long strip of metal foil); the
dialectric or insulating material is actually a coating that 'forms'
electrolytically on the surface of one of the plates and gradually goes into
solution if not 'reformed' by use. The net effect is that the capacitor
loses its capacity to store an electric charge and on first examination
appears to be shorted out- This can happen in any electronic circuit,
including camera shutter assemblies! Exercising your electronics might not
be a bad idea at all for any of your gear. I regularly get out the ole R7,
and cycle the shutter to keep it 'flexed' and ready.
Cheers!
Dan
dwpost@msn.com