Multi Can Capacitor question

[davet753]

I have done that with filter capacitors. Just last week, I needed to replace a 100uf/40uf filter capacitor. The closest thing I had was a three section cap 50uf, 50uf, 50uf. I tied the two 50uf sections together and installed it. The new 50uf was a little more than the 40uf cap, but in a filter circuit it's close enough.

Is your 40,40,20 a power supply filter?

[hi_volt]

Yes, you can always hook capacitors up in parallel, as long at the voltage rating of each section of the can is greater than the actual working voltage they will see in the circuit. They don't need to be the same rating, but as long as each one is rated for a higher voltage than what they'll see, you'll be fine.