Capxon issues

[dd-wrt]

Hey Guys / All

I hope I am on the right path and your feedback / suggestion will benefit many over at dd-wrt as well as myself.

The issue here is with continual radio signal dropping on a Lynksys wrt-160n v3 router. The problem seems to be mostly distributed to cfe 51 (model number). There are many who think it is software related aka a driver but the problem is spread across oem firmware and dd-wrt.

This device comes with a 500ma power adapter but recently I swapped out my 500ma for a 1000ma poweradapter and this seemed to produce a measuriable differece for me.

I am trying to huryy and get to the Capxon point "sorry".

I tend to think the radio dropping intermitenly and some hourly is hardware related. The device runs on 12v dc 500ma oem.

Now I have been reading up on capicitors and found a thread making referece to the bad cap causing the device to restart "i think it was a monitor" but that statement hit home to the radio dropping signal, which mostly comes back on in a minute.

The device is using a (Capxon 470 uf 25v) cap for the main filter cap and then there are four outher , three electrollic and one ceramic.

My question is do any of you think there maybe a quality control issue on this device and the cheep caps are a major suspect.

I did have a look at the bad cap manufacture list and LOL Capxon was there.

Maybe a cap upgrade would be a resolution for this problem. Any suggestions or feedback would most appreciated.

here is list of other caps on the router.

1)km 470uf 25v Capxon
2)100uf 10v
3)100uf 16v
4)470 uf 10v

a small cermaic id# (CTC -fc 090-9y038) no other marking but very small.

Thank you for your thoughts

cheers

thomas

[TheLaw]

Re: Capxon issues

CapXon isn't very good but they are in just about everything these days. Hard to avoid...

Sometimes I just think its the chips that are a bit flaky. Especially in routers where they are continually pounded with requests and get hot.

But capacitors could be the problem. When caps go bad your machine will not function as intended, regardless of what kind of equipment.

As I said, home/personal routers get really hot because they don't use fans. Those capacitors are most likely only rated at 85C anyway.

It could be a lot of things, but DD-WRT is very solid, so I wouldn't think it's software/firmware as you said.

If you want to recap it and know what you are doing, there's really no harm in doing so.

However, usually caps will show signs of going bad. They will bulge at the top, forming a dome/pyramid. If it is extreme enough, some of the electrolyte inside will seep out. So you might want to check if any are showing symptoms first.

Final verdict: It could be a lot of things.

Seeing you got a new power brick, maybe the power brick is bad? Just a thought...Maybe the capacitors inside of it has gone bad and supplies unstable current. But that usually doesn't happen...

[dd-wrt]

Re: Capxon issues

What type of capacitor would be a better choice for the device.

would a low esr? version be a better performer?

thank you

thomas

[TheLaw]

Re: Capxon issues

What type of capacitor would be a better choice for the device.

would a low esr? version be a better performer?

thank you

thomas

Yes Low-ESR is used for microcontroller type boards like routers/pc motherboards etc.

Panasonic FM, Nichicon HN, Rubycon MBZ, United Chemicon LXY.

Panasonic FM is my favorite. Match exact spec just to be sure. (Capacitance/Voltage).

[dd-wrt]

Re: Capxon issues

Thank You for the promptness...

What would the rule of thumb be for matching if only close is available.

Would it be better to match larger or smaller?

Really Thanks -

[TheLaw]

Re: Capxon issues

Since you don't know the exact function of each capacitor....I wouldn't really say there is a rule of thumb. Just order off of Mouser/Digi-Key/Newark and get exact.

Those capacitors are standard values. Nothing out of the ordinary.

[sofTest]

Re: Capxon issues

You can go up in voltage rating, without any harm, and if it fits physically. Unless you know what you are doing, don't go down on voltage, or change uF.

[TheLaw]

Re: Capxon issues

Yeah, but for simplicity's sake....