can anyone recommend a not-so-expensive tool that will show me if a capacitor is bad? I have a bunch of Dell GX 620s that do not POST, and replacing the caps that clearly looked bad was not enough (some work now though). I think the tool is called a ESR meter or something, but I guess I just need some clarification on what and how to use.. thanks
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what tool identifies bad caps on live circuit?
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Re: what tool identifies bad caps on live circuit?
ESR meters cost anywhere between $40 and $70 (my guess).
You can search these forums for reviews of ESR meters and how people like them.
Originally posted by speg_headcan anyone recommend a not-so-expensive tool that will show me if a capacitor is bad?--- begin sig file ---
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Re: what tool identifies bad caps on live circuit?
i think he meant the scope and as far as i know those are waaaay too expensive.
at least thats what they used to tell me at school haha probably just to keep our hands off of emWe don't have a great war in our generation, or a great depression, but we do, we have a great war of the spirit. We have a great revolution against the culture. The great depression is our lives. We have a spiritual depression.
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Re: what tool identifies bad caps on live circuit?
Well i was just under the impression that the ESR worked On a live circuit lol thanks for clearing it up though. Ill go check them out cuz ~$50 is definitely doable for me.
Edit: so what should i be looking for when using the esr meter that will tell me that a cap is going bad?
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Re: what tool identifies bad caps on live circuit?
Testing caps in a live circuit is a bad idea.
Testing caps in a dead circuit (without removing them) will not tell you 100% if they are bad.
To fully test a cap you need to remove it from the circuit and test the ESR and capacitance (2 tests and yes one can be good and the other can be bad).
A good ESR meter will test both.
A good multimeter will test capacitance (if it has that function).
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Re: what tool identifies bad caps on live circuit?
Using an ESR meter in a -live- circuit -WILL- damage the meter.
In SOME CASES you can use an ESR meter for 'in circuit checks'.
[Which means a de-energized circuit with no components removed.]
- BUT - If there are any caps in parallel with the cap under test then checking with an ESR meter still requires removing the cap from the circuit.
GX620 in SFF and USFF are known for blowing some of the the 4mm and 5mm caps in addition to the typical cap problems. [They get too hot.]
https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6055
.Mann-Made Global Warming.
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Re: what tool identifies bad caps on live circuit?
Do caps leak clear looking gunk like silicon?Seen plenty of the brown stuff but opened a power supply today and there was this stuff.Replaced main power caps and one domed 1000uf 16v job that were leaking
Tests and runs fine.
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Re: what tool identifies bad caps on live circuit?
Probably was silicon.
They use it to hold parts in place for machine soldering.
Clear silicon is a little unusual. Usually see white/beige/brown.Mann-Made Global Warming.
- We should be more concerned about the Intellectual Climate.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
- Dr Seuss
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You can teach a man to fish and feed him for life, but if he can't handle sushi you must also teach him to cook.
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Re: what tool identifies bad caps on live circuit?
Originally posted by kiddznet View PostDo caps leak clear looking gunk like silicon?Seen plenty of the brown stuff but opened a power supply today and there was this stuff.Replaced main power caps and one domed 1000uf 16v job that were leaking
Tests and runs fine.
Open a new tread for questions unrelated to the topic or you will most likely get no help.
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Re: what tool identifies bad caps on live circuit?
Originally posted by brethin View PostAsking this question in this thread = no no.
Open a new tread for questions unrelated to the topic or you will most likely get no help.
When they gave you the badge did they issue a pistol that shoots used Fuhjyyu too?Mann-Made Global Warming.
- We should be more concerned about the Intellectual Climate.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
- Dr Seuss
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You can teach a man to fish and feed him for life, but if he can't handle sushi you must also teach him to cook.
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Re: what tool identifies bad caps on live circuit?
Originally posted by kiddznet View PostI would delete the post but I cant find the edit button?
The edit button goes *poof* after a few minutes.Mann-Made Global Warming.
- We should be more concerned about the Intellectual Climate.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
- Dr Seuss
-
You can teach a man to fish and feed him for life, but if he can't handle sushi you must also teach him to cook.
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Re: what tool identifies bad caps on live circuit?
a few being 10 minutes...
clear goop is not unusual, it is essentially hot glue used by some companies instead of silicone. I have seen it in deer made units... powmax crap as well.
what brand were the ones you opened up?sigpic
(Insert witty quote here)
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Re: what tool identifies bad caps on live circuit?
The unit with the goop was a CODEGEN 300W
Maybe a tool for detecting bad caps could be the "MK 8 Eyeball?"
939 DualCore AMD Opteron, 1800 MHz (9 x 200)
Abit AN8 / Fatal1ty AN8 SLI Series
3072 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
ATI Radeon HD 4300/4500 Series (1024 MB
Lian LI Aluminium mesh case
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