dgtec SD160DVR power supply question.

[?]

I was cleaning out the dust from the noisy cooling fan and noticed a couple
of the Electrolytic capacitors in the power supply had bulges.


My question is should I leave things as they are as the unit is still
working fine(if it aint broke...), or should I replace the bulging caps
because they're going to blow soon?



I'm worried if I attempt to replace these caps I'm likely to brake something
else in the process.

 

[Grant]

I was cleaning out the dust from the noisy cooling fan and noticed a couple
of the Electrolytic capacitors in the power supply had bulges.


My question is should I leave things as they are as the unit is still
working fine(if it aint broke...), or should I replace the bulging caps
because they're going to blow soon?



I'm worried if I attempt to replace these caps I'm likely to brake something
else in the process.

Would you rather unfiltered spikes across the blown capacitors break
something else instead? I'd replace the caps now, perhaps with higher
rated ones to last a bit longer, if there's room.

Grant.

 

[?]

Would you rather unfiltered spikes across the blown capacitors break
something else instead? I'd replace the caps now, perhaps with higher
rated ones to last a bit longer, if there's room.

Grant.

Thanks for the advice.

I'm just a novice so I'm unaware of the seriousness of the problem.



From your experience have these components failed( is that what the bulge
represents), or are they working (with spikes), but soon to fail?

 

[Jasen Betts]

I was cleaning out the dust from the noisy cooling fan and noticed a couple
of the Electrolytic capacitors in the power supply had bulges.


My question is should I leave things as they are as the unit is still
working fine(if it aint broke...), or should I replace the bulging caps
because they're going to blow soon?

replace them with good low-ESR caps from a reputable supplier


--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: [email protected] ---

 

[Jasen Betts]

Thanks for the advice.

I'm just a novice so I'm unaware of the seriousness of the problem.



From your experience have these components failed( is that what the bulge
represents), or are they working (with spikes), but soon to fail?

The bulge represents excess gas pressure, which sugests they are
failing.



--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: [email protected] ---

 

[?]

The bulge represents excess gas pressure, which sugests they are
failing.



--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: [email protected] ---

OK, thanks.



I've taken the board out, and on closer examination, it seems some
components around the caps have been running hot.

On one side where there are some power diodes the board is brown like almost
burn toast. On the other side there is a raised power resistor which show
signs of over heating as well.



The failing caps are ZCKJ brand, 1X 1000uF 16V, 2X 100uF 35V, should I
replace them all with 50V equivalents ?



I'm surprised the thing still works!!

 

[Grant]

Thanks for the advice.

I'm just a novice so I'm unaware of the seriousness of the problem.



From your experience have these components failed( is that what the bulge
represents), or are they working (with spikes), but soon to fail?

If seen these in a couple LCD monitors as well as on PC mobos, you
might see startup problems where cycling power several times may bring
the equipment up, or you may see failure due to the spikes (I imagine)
killing the chips.

Fit new caps ASAP, low ESR as Jason indicated. If you can't find low
ESR you might try higher volt rated caps with parallel tantalum or
other caps if high voltage, to take some of the higher frequencies.
I'd go for 105'C temperature rating (rather than 85') too.

Grant.

 

[Baron]

Grant Inscribed thus:

Would you rather unfiltered spikes across the blown capacitors break
something else instead? I'd replace the caps now, perhaps with higher
rated ones to last a bit longer, if there's room.

Grant.

I agree with Grant. There is an issue that you have spotted before any
serious damage has been caused. Replacing bad caps in a PSU is no big
deal. Replacing them on a mainboard is more difficult, but still
within the capabilities of someone who knows how to use a soldering
iron.

 

[Baron]

? Inscribed thus:

OK, thanks.



I've taken the board out, and on closer examination, it seems some
components around the caps have been running hot.

On one side where there are some power diodes the board is brown like
almost burn toast. On the other side there is a raised power resistor
which show signs of over heating as well.



The failing caps are ZCKJ brand, 1X 1000uF 16V, 2X 100uF 35V, should
I replace them all with 50V equivalents ?

Replace them with similar physical sized suitably rated components.
They are all standard 105C capacitors with standard voltage ratings.

 

[?]

Fit new caps ASAP, low ESR as Jason indicated. If you can't find low
ESR you might try higher volt rated caps with parallel tantalum or
other caps if high voltage, to take some of the higher frequencies.
I'd go for 105'C temperature rating (rather than 85') too.

Grant.
I agree with Grant. There is an issue that you have spotted before
any serious damage has been caused. Replacing bad caps in a PSU is
no big deal. Replacing them on a mainboard is more difficult, but
still within the capabilities of someone who knows how to use a
soldering iron.

replace them with good low-ESR caps from a reputable supplier


--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: [email protected] ---

Replaced the caps as suggested and found that this also fixed (I thought) an
unrelated problem with the remote.



The problem with the remote was that you had to press 2-3 times to change
the channels, enter menu screen etc. Looks like , the noise on the power
supply lines was interfering with the reception of data from the remote.



The remote works a treat now and I don't have to worry about unexpected pops
from the unit while I'm using it.



Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[Baron]

? Inscribed thus:

Replaced the caps as suggested and found that this also fixed (I
thought) an unrelated problem with the remote.



The problem with the remote was that you had to press 2-3 times to
change the channels, enter menu screen etc. Looks like , the noise on
the power supply lines was interfering with the reception of data from
the remote.



The remote works a treat now and I don't have to worry about
unexpected pops from the unit while I'm using it.



Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'm glad that you have it sorted !
Bad caps cause nasty problems.