The AM Forum

Can anyone suggest a reasonably priced source for some "orange drop" caps? I'm restoring two different radios and I'm looking to place an order for about 10 pcs of several different values. Mouser and the other normal sources are asking $2.50-$3.00 ea. ! Cheaper out of China, but who knows what you will get.

Only place I seen CDE cheap!

https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/capacitor-orange-drop-100v-polyester

                                                  Carl, KB3RDT

I've got a whole bag of them that I bought at a hamfest years ago. Not a lot of standard values but let me know what you need and maybe we can make a deal.

Mark - WA2FXM

FXM, I'll get a list together.
The link above is for 100V devices. I'm going to need 400V.
Found them on EBAY for ~.90ea which is not bad. Got to make a shopping list.

You might take a look at JustRadios.com.  That's where I buy my caps.

Myron

For almost 10 years I have been getting all my caps from ESRC. Tubes as well.

The caps are not orange drop but maroon drop. I have used hundreds of all types and never an issue. Price is really low.

Here is his link:   http://www.esrcvacuumtubes.com/Electrolytic_capacitors.html

As he travels the hamfest circuit his shipments can occasionally take a while but usually not.

He'll be in Richmond on Feb 3 and I plan to pick up a few that I want to have in my parts bin.

Rich

Not sure about orange drop availability, but I had great prices and service from http://www.capacitorworld.net

I have no interest other than as a satisfied customer.

I found them by someone else's post here.

--Shane
KD6VXI

Go to Nearfest in the spring.  There is an older couple there that sells bags of ODs.  They have been there for years. 

Peter

opps

https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/capacitor-400v-716p-series-polypropylene

https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/capacitor-600v-716p-series-polypropylene

https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/capacitor-orange-drop-1600v-polypropylene

https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/capacitors-orange-drop-600v-polyester

Lots of great leads, thanks. Going to the Orlando hamfest real soon, so I’ll look there, first

ESRC (Stan) is from Orlando and will likely be there. Check his booth for the caps. Look for the tables with a lot of tubes! Say Rich from Richmond sent you.

Rich

The orange ones are pricey because they are voodoo. A lot of people buy on just that premise, which makes them more popular, thus, they cost more. Some just recognize that Sprague is trusted name that has been around a long time and make trustworthy, quality parts.

IMHO, there are quality alternatives. Like Shane said, Capacitor World sells the "chicklet" radial type caps for dirt cheap which I've  used and haven't found a bad one yet. I like them because they are so small, it frees up a lot of real estate underneath a chassis and makes it look a lot cleaner. Some people even restuff; and while I may be tempted to do that on some very old or rare things, most of the run of the mill equipment... Ummm, No!

Guess it just boils down to personal preference.

Your best bet to find orange drops at a reasonable price is probably at a 'fest. Just be cautious, sometimes "orange" does not equal to "Sprague" if that's what you are specifically wanting. K4OZY was selling new orange caps at the local hamfests a while back and I bought a bunch at a very good price. Not Sprague, but I new that and a new cap is a new cap, for the most part. What I have used from that stash have all checked good and worked very well. If you could get in touch with him, he might have more for sale.


...Phil

Yup, your points are well taken. I’m going to take mt DE2000 meter with me to Orlando. Two days to roam the flea market should find most of what I need. What I don’t find I’ll order before I fly back and should have them in a few days. Thanks for all the good suggestions .