05/19/2026
For What It's Worth Dep't.
Replacement can capacitors are getting increasingly more expensive. Prices now go anywhere from $50 and up for parts for the cans. R-4C's are double that because of two cans. Add my time and you're going over $140. I will still do these but recent issues with lead time have made me search for alternatives (mainly because of the time issues, because the Hayseed product is first-rate but their turn around time has gone out to over a month).
Many of you have seen the kits you can get on eBay and other places. These use a circuit board in the footprint of the can but use radial-lead capacitors on top, which look like, well, separate axial-leaded caps on the top. For many of our sets that are not collector-grade, these kits will work as well as any can cap but will not look original. I can pretty much say that installation will be the same as far as time is concerned but the parts cost is much lower. I have located a vendor that uses name-brand, 105C-rated caps and it will come out to roughly $25 per can for the parts.
Feel free to email me at w1es at arrl dot net for more info...
