Looking for replacement for Nichicon VT caps

[GoJackets]

I am trying to find the correct replacement caps for Nichicon VT's. These were used in Honda transmission computers in the early 90's and were notorious for leaking or otherwise dying.

Nichicon's website shows some obsoleted caps, but not the VT series.

They are marked VT(M) and the ones I need are 220uF and 330uF - made in 1991, so the original replacements have probably been obsoleted as well.

Thanks in advance!

[Newbie2]

What is the voltage rating of your old Nichicon capacitors? The voltage rating appears along with the capacitance rating of the capacitor. Provide me with that information, and I will be able to suggest the proper replacement capacitors.

Also, what country do you live in? If you live in the United States or in Canada, replacements will be easy to find to order online. Other countries might be more difficult to locate replacement capacitors.

The capacitors you have are 17 years old, obviously they'll need replacement if you want to keep your old Honda vehicles running.

[GoJackets]

I am in the US. I have found on-line sources based on the capacitance and voltage, but the bigger question is which series should I use to replace the Nichicon VT(M) capacitors that are on this board. Judging by the serial numbers on the caps, they were made in '91.

I figure since one's bad, I'll replace them all.
4.7uF 50v
220uF 35v
33uF 35v
330uF 10v
1uF 50v

Thanks

[kc8adu]

iirc they are 125c high temp.
for whatever the remaining life of the car will be i would use something high quality.i keep most sizes of panasonic fc on hand so thats what it would get here.
they will probably still be good when the car goes to the shredder.

[PCBONEZ]

VT series replaced by BT series.
Available at Mouser
Mouser has other high temp caps in other brands that are suitable as well.

~ Check data sheets for physical sizes and spacing of leads to make sure they will fit.

1uF-50v
http://www.mouser.com/Search/Product...%2f2zhzw%3d%3d

4.7uF-50v
http://www.mouser.com/Search/Product...xr7W3pug%3d%3d

Will have to upgrade 33uF-35v to 33uF-50v (is a normal practice)
http://www.mouser.com/Search/Product...K8GfHCoA%3d%3d

220uF-35v
http://www.mouser.com/Search/Product...%2fR2u0w%3d%3d

330uF-10v
http://www.mouser.com/Search/Product...Sh2ydayA%3d%3d

Digikey probably has some that will work also.

.

[PCBONEZ]

Just FYI:
In "Nichicon VT(M)"
The VT is the series
The (M) is just the uF tolerance with M meaning +/-20%

[GoJackets]

Thanks for the responses. My last EE class was over 30 years ago, so I am "a little" rusty on all of this!

[linuxguru]

The closest 125c Japanese equivalent is probably Rubycon ZT. There are some other 125c series from Samxon and a few others.

[PCBONEZ]

Nichicon is Japanese.

The BT replacement for VT is 125c and made for automotive applications.
http://products.nichicon.co.jp/en/pdf/XJA043/e-bt.pdf
I think BT is just the lead free replacement for the old VT series.

Nichicon also has a 135c automotive series 'BW ' and a 150c automotive series 'BX'.
http://products.nichicon.co.jp/en/pdf/XJA043/e-bw.pdf
http://products.nichicon.co.jp/en/pdf/XJA043/e-bx.pdf

The bungs in caps built for automotive service are probably more resistant to damage from oil and so forth.

[GoJackets]

Another dumb question related to this. I have tried to order these on Mouser and some are not in stock with the lead time "forever". Is it unwise to mix caps from different manufacturers?

[PCBONEZ]

>> Is it unwise to mix caps from different manufacturers? <<
It doesn't matter at all.

If you can't get the 125c you might check for some in 135c, 140c, or 150c.
They would actually be an upgrade as long as the other specs are good.
- Check data sheets to make sure they will physically fit before you order.

.

[bmore24]

I know this is old but I too am looking for a replacement for a nichicon vt cap. 1000uf 63v. The new bt series does not have a 1000uf that is more than 50v. I cant even find any info on the old vt series. any suggestions. thanks alot.