Or...plug a cable into an amp and touch the leads of the capacitor to the ground, etc. at the other end of the cable. So quick, so easy, so wonderful.

I tried the oscilloscope method but couldn't get it to work. Then i tried this method with an old audio amplifier i had and it worked great. Thanks.

This is an ingenious method to test!

I have tried this method of finding the outher foil it is a very cost effective method. Sometimrs I had to adjust the gain of the amp a little

Thanks for your video! I bought some 4.7µF and 22µF polypropylene caps (they're big), and tried to determine the foil end with my scope. I couldn't detect any difference. I'm now pretty sure that's due to the high capacitance, and not something wrong with my test method.

Yeah, it would seem ta me that this would be of most importance in a high gain amp.

I will try this, thanx. I also put my Fluke 189 on AC mV & do the same thing, looking for the lowest voltage as I grab the cap. I will see if your technique matches mine.

Great video. Thanks alot.

OK this is the truth about how I found this. Yes, I have seen Mr. Carlsons lab. Yes, I know there is a difference. Why do I need this information that you have so greatly provide? Because I have an Old oscilloscope. Eico 480 model Wide band. It's not working so I ordered a bunch of Capacitors and resistors just like Mr. Carlson would be proud of me for doing, and going on his advice. I have also seen his Foil side capacitor checker. But it needs the Scope I haven't repaired yet. The whole reason I want this is because I play guitar and drums and bass and record. I like the idea of having dedicated pedals rather than a one size fits all. That's where the noise and hum comes in. It also stands to reason that if by some stroke of bad luck you buy a wrongly marked capacitor, and replace your tone cap or treble Bleed cap, then you have just added unneeded noise. I want the oscilloscope to examine the waves I get with different op amps etc. You sir just solved my problem. Oh and if a smaller size cap works best it may even work if you have a large size but parallel it with smaller one and use that one to test for noise something I am going to check perhaps in series even. Thank you from the guy who really can appreciate your way of thinking .

Outstanding

If you are only dealing with one in a circuit, you can just install in one orientation, listen, and then in the other… and the correct orientation will present itself. The wrong way will be noisier, and to my ears, have a lesser frequency response.

Do you think that capacitor orientation (polarity) makes any difference on the "Tone Pot" of a guitar? I don't have an oscilloscope, so your method looks handy. Thanks

Excellent

Thanks, you just have to check em all I suppose to be on the safe side. Is the out-side of the foil the positive?

The sozo's are good for fenders. Have you tried the mojo dijons?? They say those are great for marshall sound.

Does this apply to installing orange drops in Les Paul Control Cavities? If yes what would be the benefits of proper orientation? Thank You

I’m confused. I thought that foil capacitors were non-polarized.

HUGE HELP needing to mark orange drop caps. Ill have to desolder them one by one mark replace but at least Ill know which is the quiet end.. I also have an amp which does not have them marked but they are installed.. So ill make this and try testing them all and reinstalling them the correct direction then power the amps up. much thanks for great idea..

Just so I understand; The foil end is the negative end, which is the end you mark?

A newbie trying to improve his sound. No electronics experience of note. Have a. Orange tube amp . What are the safety concerns . Can you get electrocuted by this . What are the precautions to take. Thank you . Ps. I dont want to damage my amp.

How do you do this with an oscciloscope?

why must you keep turning the amp off and on?

you marked the capacitor, so that makes it which end? - or +? I think you're full of it myself, lets say your little test works, you had the red lead on the end with the circle or marked end? and in your little test that was the quietest end or so you say, but you say they marked it backwards? huh, you think the circle denotes negative? you didn't really show anything here, lets say I touch a cap to the jack, and its quieter a certain orientation, WHICH end is then +? the end that's touching the tip of the jack right? then which end do we solder to the ground, the negatived end or the positive end, clarity, we need clarity not just that if you touch it to a jack it can be louder one way as apposed to another if you touch the paper.. imma say the - end is soldered to ground and the quietest orientation makes the lead touching the tip of the jack +, prolly wrong tho

Bogus BS