I have old electronic devices from 1990 saved What is your recommendation for the storage period without the electrolytic capacitors failing due to disuse? I asked manufacturers and they didn't answer or they were confused
depends on the quality of the caps, but generally 15-20 years without use seems to be the average... storage temperature and humidity also have a role to play.. i used to work in a TV shop that had a cool basement with about 50-60% humidity and very old electrolytics stored there had much better shelf life there in the basement....
Normal low voltage ones (up to 35V) seem to last forever. I have a box of leftovers from a production job in the early 90s and I've never had a problem with them..
High voltage (250V - 400V or more) ones could show high leakage or break down; I'd be a bit wary of those, or connect them to a low voltage supply for a day first.
Climate may have an effect, I just do not know. - I'm in England so its rare for anything to be really warm for any length of time.
one person referred to using the electronic devices of 1990 every month for 1 hour, otherwise the electrolytic capacitors of this device will depolarize, dry and lose capacitance, is this true? I do not mean shelf electrolytic capacitors but electrolytic capacitors from electronic devices since 1990