Bolex M8 Replacement Capacitor

[Bryan Chernick]

It's been a while since I posted here but I have a question about my Bolex M8 projector. I'm looking at replacing the capacitor but I'm having trouble finding the correct replacement. It's value is 400V 0.1uF. I believe it's polarized because it has a band on one side that would indicate the negative. Everything I have found with that value looks like non-polarized. I understand I can go up in voltage. I attached a photo, am I correct in assuming it's polarized? Can anyone recommend a replacement? I'm in the US so it runs on 110V.

I'm just going to remove the other capacitor. I understand it's just for noise suppression and isn't needed.

[Joerg Polzfusz]

Hi!

I haven’t got a clue when it comes to electronics. But browsing through the German online shops, the 400V capacitors are sold in two different sections: „Entstörkondensatoren“ (denoising capacitors) and „Motorkondensatoren“ (motor capacitors). Hence, I don’t know whether removing the capacitor will have a negative impact on the motor running smoothly (and hence a negative impact on your films).

[Steve Klare]

This looks like a motor capacitor, even if I do agree that the stripe on it looks like it isn't. The only other thing I could imagine is some kind of noise-suppression.

The good news is you can never get in trouble replacing a polarized cap with a non-polarized one (-the other-way around can get a little....lively, though!)

Here's a .1uF, 400 VAC (850 VDC) rated film capacitor which should drop in nicely.

Film Capacitor, .1uF 400VAC

It's also called "100nF" in places on the webpage. This is OK: "100 billionths" is the same thing as ".1 millionths"

It'll probably be smaller than the existing part: that's just technological progress. Just apply insulation where you need to to keep those leads off the chassis (-this goes double for a machine with a two-prong plug!)

[Bryan Chernick]

This looks like a motor capacitor, even if I do agree that the stripe on it looks like it isn't. The only other thing I could imagine is some kind of noise-suppression.

The good news is you can never get in trouble replacing a polarized cap with a non-polarized one (-the other-way around can get a little....lively, though!)

Here's a .1uF, 400 VAC (850 VDC) rated film capacitor which should drop in nicely.

Film Capacitor, .1uF 400VAC

It's also called "100nF" in places on the webpage. This is OK: "100 billionths" is the same thing as ".1 millionths"

It'll probably be smaller than the existing part: that's just technological progress. Just apply insulation where you need to to keep those leads off the chassis (-this goes double for a machine with a two-prong plug!)

Thanks Steve, that's very helpful, I'll order that one. I think it is the motor capacitor.