Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #36936
From: Ed Anderson <eanderson@carolina.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Re: EC2 question
Date: Fri, 11 May 2007 20:31:20 -0400
To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Thanks Perry, I erred on the side of caution in selecting voltage ratings, so am probably OK, but I think I am going to redesign my boards to avoid use of Tant capacitors.  I've never had one destruct (yet) and would certain like to avoid it.  It sounds like a wise decision not to use them in Avionics designs..  I did a goggle and found a number of articles and studies on that problem with Tant capacitors - so clearly a real potential problem.
 
Ed
----- Original Message -----
From: Perry Mick
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2007 8:19 PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: EC2 question

If you use them, derate well. For a 14V power source use at least 25V parts, 50V would be better. The dielectric contains oxygen that feeds the fire once it gets started. I work in the avionics business and we aren't allowed to use them in new designs.
 
 
 
Geeze, Jim.  Here I've been using tantalum capacitors in my circuit boards.  Are these failure modes spontaneous or are they triggered by something like over voltage, over temp, etc.  I guess I'm a bit surprised at the violence of their demise - I would think something like that would have curtailed their use in electronic circuits.
 
Ed
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2007 5:50 PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: EC2 question

Al,
I would be very careful about adding any tantalum capacitors.
Back when I worked as an electronic technician I discovered the failure mode of these devices.
They start off with a little leakage current.
As they leak the get hotter.
The hotter they get the more they leak.
This continues until they build to critical temp and then explode
sending a molten projectile 10 feet or more.
I actually had some blowup while testing and they burnt a hole in the floor
10-20 feet away.
After that I always made sure that there was a metal cover over the unit being tested.
Just a word to the wise.
Jim

Al Gietzen <ALVentures@cox.net> wrote:
SNIP
 

47uf, 16V tantalum were added to each processor

Pin 8 of connector is now grounded.
Pin 28 of connector is now grounded.

Al
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