Question on replacement caps

[santuitman]

Hello All
I just got an older motherboard for a side project. When I got it I noticed it has some burst caps. It posts ok but I want to replace the caps before I put it all together. I believe I can use a higher voltage than the original cap but how about the uF rating? Can that value be higher also? It calls for 10v 1500uF and I have some 16v 2200uF.
Any thoghts would be great

Thanks

Brian

 

[vanvock]

I would keep the specs the same. Don't forget to watch how they are positioned on the board so they go back the same way.

 

[bgc99]

What brand of board is it? I got an Abit replaced when it was well out of warranty and I didn't have to provide any proof of purchase at the time. Whatever the brand, it couldn't hurt to email the customer service and ask about it.

BGC

 

[santuitman]

It's an old Gateway. I've got Mobo only so I don't think I can RMA it

 

[Peter]

You need to get the exact replacement. Higher voltage types are larger, have a higher series resistance, and thus throw the fine balance of the CPU voltage regulation out of whack.

So if it's 10V 1500 µF in there, get 10V 1500 µF 105C. Measure the diameter and height as well, purchase something with the same dimensions.

 

[Mark R]

The most important thing is to get capacitors with the same series resistance (ESR), and at least the same capacity (µF). Ideally, the capacitors should be the same size - bodging connections with wires will degrade the series resistance and impair performance.

As these are probably the CPU voltage regulator capactiors - it is essential that they are ultra-low ESR (often the capacitors are specially designed for CPU voltage regulators) and 'general purpose' capacitors (like the ones you can get from radio shack) are unlikely to be adequate.

The voltage rating should be equal or higher. Generally higher voltage caps have lower series resistance than lower voltage ones - but higher voltage caps are usually bigger and more expensive.

Ideally, you should get the exact same part - brand, and part number. If you can't get the exact same one, then the replacement must have equivalent capacity, voltage, temperature rating and ESR. (The ESR is not usually printed on the capacitor - you'll have to look it up).

Also a hint for soldering - the capacitors are soldered to very thick copper power planes buried in the motherboard. These planes will act as powerful heatsinks. You will therefore need a very powerful soldering iron in order to get a decent join - You are likely to struggle with anything less than a 75W temperature controlled iron.

If it's an older board, and it's otherwise going to be junked - then why not try your spare caps? The worst that's likely to happen is that the system won't be stable.

 

[dali71]

Pick up some Nichicons from Mouser. I recently recapped an Epox 4PDA2+ and was very pleased with their service and speed. Check them out here.

 

[Boobers]

I buy all my replacement caps from Computek

They'll put together a package for just about any motherboard or video card...

 

[santuitman]

Wow
Thanks for all the help.
I don't think Ive ever seen Computek before. Hopefully I'll get to work on it this weekend!!
Thanks forthe soldering hints Mark, I forgot about the powerplane thing!

Thanks again guys!!

Brian

 

[CraigRT]

You can quite easily use higher rated CAPS, as long as the voltage is correct.

I had the caps replaced (by myself) on my Soltek SL-75FRN2-L with higher rated caps because I could not get exact ones at the time, works beautifully as is, in a friends system. This was done over a year ago.

I am going to be doing the caps on my SL-75DRV4 as well, but apparently Soltek (as of THIS month -surprise) does not do replacement caps anymore. (I found this out after the FRN2 had already been done) and the punks at Soltek won't RMA my board either, like every other manufacturer does. I am really not impressed with their support right now. I hope you are reading this Lydia!

 

[Boobers]

CraigRT...The info you gave is incorrect.

Caps with a higher VOLTAGE rating can be used, as long as the FARAD (uF) value is similar. Please read the Cap Substitution Guide

Here are some more cap replacement and soldering tips:
BadCaps Forum

 

[santuitman]

Very good info on these sites!!

 

[eplebnista]

Originally posted by: CraigRT
You can quite easily use higher rated CAPS, as long as the voltage is correct.

I had the caps replaced (by myself) on my Soltek SL-75FRN2-L with higher rated caps because I could not get exact ones at the time, works beautifully as is, in a friends system. This was done over a year ago.

I am going to be doing the caps on my SL-75DRV4 as well, but apparently Soltek (as of THIS month -surprise) does not do replacement caps anymore. (I found this out after the FRN2 had already been done) and the punks at Soltek won't RMA my board either, like every other manufacturer does. I am really not impressed with their support right now. I hope you are reading this Lydia!

I ran into the same thing when contacting Soltek when my 75DRV4 developed bad caps a while ago. The board was touted as having a two-year warranty(as stated on the inside of the box as well as Newegg's description), well I noticed the bad caps after around 18 months of use on my 75DRV4, and when I went to see about an RMA from Soltek, they said the warranty was only 14 months, and turned down my RMA request. :| I have not used or recommended a Soltek product since. :disgust: