Camera flash error code after repair

[RichO]

Hello all,

Yesterday I went through the process of replacing the flexible flash cable in my camera as seen here:

The camera works but now I get an error code that is related to the flash. I did cause quite a spark when discharging the flash capacitor and I am first wondering if I may have damaged the capacitor. it's a 315V cap, and right now it's holding a 90V charge fresh after using the camera.

I guess my biggest question here is would a bad capacitor not hold a charge at all?

I believe I soldered up the 3 surface resistors correctly.

Any ideas what to look for? Thanks

 

[kellys_eye]

Test the capacitors ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) - there are cheap meters that do this - to make a definitive check of its operation.

The meter costs around $10-20 (Chinese retailers) but you may not want to go to this trouble and replacement of the capacitor itself may be just as quick/easy.

 

[RichO]

Thanks for the reply.

I guess buying a new capacitor is a better option.

So it's possible that this capacitor could be bad even though it's holding a 90V charge?

 

[kellys_eye]

Yes. It's the capacitors ability to discharge the stored voltage that's important and a high internal resistance reduces that ability. The voltage will still be as high as expected though.

 

[RichO]

Great. Thanks

 

[RichO]

Doesn't get any easier though. Seems the replacement capacitor is impossible find. It's a 315V 183uF 30X15mm. I have found capacitors close in rating but way off on the dimensions where it would not fit in the camera.

Are photo flash capacitors and standard aluminum electrolytic capacitors different?

 

[kellys_eye]

That's not a standard value capacitor - the nearest 'normal' value would be 220μF.

If you can't find the exact replacement then you need to find one that's as near as possible to the value (μF) and AT LEAST 315V (350V or 400V would be the next voltage rating) that can physically fit!

Use the likes of Digikey (website) and their parametric search options to get as close as you can.

Might be wise to get the ESR tester now! Could be a fault elsewhere!

 

[RichO]

One more quick question. I did find a capacitor that will come close in physical size. It's 400V and 180uF. The original is 183uF. Should I go up to 220uF or do you think the 180 is an adequate replacement? Thanks