Capacitor Higher Voltage Limit?

[Tim2]

Hey there, I'm trying to find a replacement capacitor for a guitar stomp-box. It's a
DOD - Performer - Compressor Limiter 525, circa 1980. The cap which probably needs replaced
is 0.47uF 16V. All I find is 0.47uF 50V with the same physical dimensions. I understand that
it's acceptable to use a higher voltage, but is there a percentage limit. I bought a bag of
caps at Radio Shack's closeout sell that has a 50V cap in it, but I'm wondering:
1) if 50V is acceptable, and
2) if so, should I buy one from Digi-Key that's rated for Audio use. The Radio
Shack is probably "General Purpose".

Thanks to all of you guys for sharing your experience.

 

[ronsimpson]

Use the 50V cap.

 

[Tim2]

Thanks Ron.
The one from Radio Shack? I was concerned about the bargain cap because the old cap is in line with the compressor.

 

[Tony Stewart]

While your at it replace all electrolytics from Digikey, with solid electrolyte. pref.

 

[Tim2]

Thanks Tony.
I planned on replacing all of those after I was more sure about the voltage ratings. This is a great "vintage" stomp-box. I hate
to degenerate it with low grade caps. Just wanted to get those couple of questions sorted out before proceeding.

 

[Tony Stewart]

I fixed one like that in the mid 70's for a Pro musician friend. It had all the part numbers sanded off on epoxy chips. I fixed it anyways. It had everything from flanger, wahwah, and a dozen others for electric bass.

 

[Tim2]

Those are great old units, carrying a premium price now-a-days; upwards of $200. on eBay & $30.00 for a broken one.

 

[surbhit]

go with 50V cap

 

[Tony Stewart]

50V is no guarantee of a good quality cap.
It needs to be a reputable source, low ESR and 50% over regulated supply voltage ( 25% min)
Unlikely much power is consumed so high temp of 105'C is an option but not critical.
Probably 12~15V supply.

My suggestion is only use Polymer Caps unless in the unlikely case there is a DC boost or negative regulator onboard with coil that stipulates a certain range of ESR for stability reasons. If so state PN.
https://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?FV=fff40002,fff80532,340043,340045,34004f,340051,34005b,34005d,340066,340068,340080,340082,340089,34008b,34009f,3400a1,3400aa,3400ba,3400c8,3400d6,3400e7,fc016f,fc0173,fc0177,fc01e9,fc01ea,fc01ee&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=0&page=1&stock=1&pbfree=0&rohs=0&quantity=1&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=500

 

[Tim2]

Thanks, Tony. I'll check those Polymer Caps out. I need to replace all of the power caps on an EMU 1820m audio/PC interface, with high quality Panasonic Caps (already purchased them). The original low grade Caps in that unit are causing low quality audio and crackles in the stream. This has made me a little gun-shy about Cap quality.

BTW, the power supply on the DOD stomp box is 18 volt.

 

[Tony Stewart]

ok then 25V min is adequate.