Admiral 14R12 Restoration

[Crist Rigott]

The parts are ordered.

I ordered my E-Caps from Digikey and they will be here in a day or so. So I thought that I would start on re-stuffing the 2 E-Caps. 1 E-Cap is a 4 section and the other is 3 sections. Basically what I do is to remove both cans from the chassis, cut them at the base, clean out the cans, and build up the E-Caps using a new base from a donor E-Cap. This way the terminals are nice and new, but more important, the twist lock tabs are new and shouldn't break off when installing the re-stuffed E-Cap.

1) The first thing I did was dig out my donor cap for the new base. I got a bunch of these at an auction for almost nothing. The E-Caps are all 4 sections. This way I can use their bases on anything I should need on my TV's and radios.

2&3) I cut the bases off using my band saw. I cut just above where the smaller diameter can meets the base. Once the base is cut off, I true up the base using a flat piece of 80 grit sandpaper to bring the edge of the can down to nothing so only the base is left. I then drill a 5/32 hole in the center for the wires to pass through. I suppose you could drill a hole by each terminal and then 1 for the ground wire.

4) I then take some 1" schedule 40 PVC sprinkler pipe and true up 1 end using my disc sander and 90 degree guide. Once trued up I mark that end with an arrow using a Sharpie. I then mark off a 1 inch mark and again cut off the 1 inch piece using my band saw. I then true up the end of the remaining stock using my disc sander and 90 degree guide. Then I mark off 1 inch and cut another piece of PVC pipe. I then clean up the edges using my hobby knife and some 220 grit sandpaper.

5) Then I mix up some 15 minute epoxy and apply it to the end marked by the arrow using a flat toothpick. I then place it on the base and then again using a flat toothpick, I apply a small amount of epoxy around the inside perimeter. Once that is done, I make sure there is no epoxy on the outside of the PVC tube. This would cause a problem when the can from the original E-Cap is placed over the PVC pipe and pushed down.

6) I let them assembly to dry overnight.

I'll then add the new E-Caps to the new base assemblies. Then using the original E-Caps I'll cut off the cans from their bases and true up the cans to be placed over the new re-stuffed bases.