I chose two stubby little 47μF 350V capacitors as they were the right size to fit inside the aluminium can when stacked on top of each other. The can is easily disassembled by filing around the top lip where it is clinched around the plastic lid. Another method of getting into the can is to saw through the end with a fine jewellers saw. Bending the can is not recommended as it will distort it’s shape.
The plastic lid can be removed. Next the rubber O-ring seal needs to be pried out. It should then be possible to remove the contents from the can, a gungy, acidic mess resembling a lump of wet cotton wool—actually aluminium foil electrodes and dielectric that are the working part of the capacitor. It’s advised that protective gloves are worn when undertaking this work.
The inside of the can now be cleaned and is ready for installation of the capacitors. The negative pin of each capacitor should be connected together and they will need to be brought out of the top and connected to the can to make an earth connection. And that’s all there is to it. The rebuilt multi-section capacitor is now ready for installation in your Echorec.