[dvenardos]

I am replacing the input caps in a tripath amp in really close quarters. The caps I am replacing have insulated stranded leads and I am replacing them with sonicap gen 1 with gen 2 bypass cap which have solid uninsulated leads. The case is metal and so I am thinking that it would be best to insulate the leads on the caps. Any suggestions (e.g. electrical tape, heat shrink tubing, etc)?

Thanks

[Niteshade]

A small gauge heat-shrink tube would be best.

[avahifi]

The simple way is to just strip the required length of hookup wire of an appropriate diameter and throw away the wire instead of the the stripped off insulation tube.  Just slip it over the capacitor leads and now you have insulated capacitor leads.

Be very cautious about using oversized parts with long leads in electronic equipment however.  The excess stray inductance of the long leads can affect overall circuit stability and give your very unexpected and nasty results, like the magic smoke coming out.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

[Wayne1]

18 awg Teflon tubing works very well for insulating the leads on Sonicaps.

Parts Connexion carries it. I'm sure there are many other places to get it from.

Teflon Tubing

[sts9fan]

Tape?  Too easy I guess.

[dvenardos]

Thanks for the great ideas. 

[srb]

Tape?  Too easy I guess.

Tape isn't as stable as the wire insulation or Teflon tubing, and can also ooze a little adhesive over time, particularly under conditions of heat.
 
And the tubular solutions I find are even easier.
 
Steve