Coolermaster Recap

[Neo2_000]

Hey Guys,

Need some advice from the electronic engineers amongst you.

My PC went flaky last night.
The fan had failed on the PSU and half a dozen caps were bulging.
It's not a cheapie and has served well for 4 years so I am hoping to redeem it.

I have the correct value caps except for the two new blue Ruby's under the heatsink beside the coil.
The originals were 680uF x 16V Capxons.
Would it be OK to use 1000uF x 16V as replacements here?
I am hoping precise values are not critical.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Brett.

[stj]

Re: Coolermaster Recap

what series of caps are you fitting?
blue ruby's are mcz arent they?

[Neo2_000]

Re: Coolermaster Recap

The two blue Ruby's are MBZ series.

[stj]

Re: Coolermaster Recap

well the esr on those is way to low for a psu.
you need something like a panasonic FC,FM,FK or FR preferably FR

mbz should only be used on stuff like motherboards.

[Behemot]

Re: Coolermaster Recap

PX are general purpose, not good for SMPS. I can provide you with Samxons RS 3300/16 and Chemi-Cons KYA 3300/6,3, both D10. Than I have KZH 1000/16 D8.

[c_hegge]

Re: Coolermaster Recap

1000uF caps will work fine there. And yes, Ruby PX are indeed unsuitable for PSU use. They might work OK for a bit, but it will make the ripple much worse, and they won't last as long. Use Panny FK if you need 2200uF 16V in 10mm diameter (http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/alumin...itors/0571606/)

Also, replace the other two CapXons there, as they won't be far off failing (and may well have already failed without visible showing it these would do fine for them - http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/alumin...itors/7083572/

[Neo2_000]

Re: Coolermaster Recap

Thanks for all your help guys. Seems I sure could use it. I have been using mobo series caps without realising these were unsuitable.

Just had a bright idea. I no longer recap motherboards and have quite a lot of mostly Ruby's, some Saxon's and Nichicons in popular mobo values. I live in Australia.

Would anyone be interested in doing a swap or alternately purchasing these? (see attachments)

Here is what I need for my current project but I really should stock up on PSU repair caps now so would be interested in acquiring more.

Coolermaster Power Supply Unit (Originals were Capxons)
Looking for quality replacements such as suggested Panasonics etc.

10mm x35mm
2- 4700 x10V
2- 3300 x10V
4- 2200 x16V

10mm x20mm~
2- 2200 x10 short

8mm
4- 680 x16


Thanks again,
Brett.

[c_hegge]

Re: Coolermaster Recap

^
I'm pretty sure I actually have all of the values you need. I'll check again. By the way, no one actually makes 4700uF 10V caps in 10mm diameter. Someone here actually tested some brand new ones and they were only about 3300uF, so you can safely replace the 4700uF caps with 3300uF 6.3V. I've done it on a similar PSU to yours before.

EDIT: Nope. I don't have enough 2200uF 16V or enough 680uF 16V caps. Looks like I'll have to order some more just in case I get another PSU to recap in the near future. I just noticed, though, that looks like the MBZs you used are on the -12V and 5vsb rails. You can get away with it there. It's more likely to be a problem if you use them on the main rails from which feedback is taken (and even then, some PSUs aren't all that picky). It's the PXs which I'd be more concerned about.

I'm in a pretty similar boat to you when it comes to motherboard recaps, though. These days, the only boards I see with bad caps are pre-C2D era, which are too old to be worth fixing or keeping.

[Behemot]

Re: Coolermaster Recap

You can use Samxons RS there just fine…

There are still some 754, 939, AM2(+) boards with bloated caps you can use that for, but not really many. They often get bad because of chipset anyway.

[c_hegge]

Re: Coolermaster Recap

You can use Samxons RS there just fine…

Not necessarily. Some PSUs will be fine with bumping up the capacitance to 3300uF. Some won't. I've had some PSUs where the feedback loop becomes unstable at high loads (200W+) with Samxon RS 3300uF caps on the main rails. My rule of thumb is that you can bump up the capacitance on really cheap PSUs (as the low capacitance is only used to save cost, not because anything is tuned to it). On a decent PSU like this, though, leave the capacitance as it is on the main rails.

[Neo2_000]

Re: Coolermaster Recap

I was baulking at ordering from RS Components but now I see that they are offering free delivery for Australia?

Any strings attached to this?

If not, I might give it a go.

[stj]

Re: Coolermaster Recap

usually there is a minimum order value for free delivery

[c_hegge]

Re: Coolermaster Recap

Nope. It's just free delivery for all online orders, no questions asked. I order from RS all the time. Element14 also have free delivery, but only for orders over $50.

[Neo2_000]

Re: Coolermaster Recap

RS sells in lots of 5 so it would be good to be versatile.

Cap voltages generally range from 6.3V to 16V.

Assuming we maintain the minimum voltage spec for a given cap, is there any downside to ordering say five 16V caps to cover lower voltage caps of the same uF value?

[Neo2_000]

Re: Coolermaster Recap

https://www.mikesarcade.com/cgi-bin/...e=psrepair.txt

Hey, what do you guys think of this. For an engineering illiterate like myself, I found it to be great info.

I am just wondering how pertinent it is today as it is a bit dated. At least it answered my question:

Remember, you can always substitute a capacitor of higher voltage when replacing filter capacitors. E.G. A 1000 microfarad, 16 volt capacitor
can be replaced with a 1000 microfarad, 25 volt.

But also this: (What are your thoughts?)

I recommend that you order just two different capacitors for use as replacements for the output filter capacitors in the "Peter Chou" style power supply. It helps a great deal when you have the part numbers. For the +5 VDC output, use 3300 microfarad, 16 VDC capacitors. The Nichicon part number is UVX1C332M. Each power supply requires two of these.

To make ordering and stocking easier, I use the same capacitor for both
the +12 VDC and the -5 VDC outputs. It's a 1000 microfarad, 25 volt
capacitor. The Nichicon part number is UVX1E102M. Although some power
supplies use a 2200 microfarad capacitor for the +12 VDC output, I have
found the 1000 microfarad to be perfectly satisfactory.

[RJARRRPCGP]

Re: Coolermaster PSU Recap Help

It's not a cheapie and has served well for 4 years so I am hoping to redeem it.

A code on the transformer shows that it was manufactured in 2006, so a lot older than 4 years old.

[Behemot]

Re: Coolermaster Recap

Depends on the units, some can only take D8 caps, some D10.

I can send ya some Samxons RS 3300/16 D10x30 (those you can use instead of 6,3V too as they have same size) and KZH 1000/16 D10x20 mm if you want. These would do for complete recap of this unit you have.

[Neo2_000]

Re: Coolermaster PSU Recap Help

A code on the transformer shows that it was manufactured in 2006, so a lot older than 4 years old.

Yeah, was wasting space at work for quite a while till I swapped it for a coral trout

I had replaced the fan once on this but four years service life is better than average.

Speaking of which, any recommendations for a quality fan which will go the distance?

Preferably an Australian source please.

[Neo2_000]

Re: Coolermaster Recap

Depends on the units, some can only take D8 caps, some D10.

I can send ya some Samxons RS 3300/16 D10x30 (those you can use instead of 6,3V too as they have same size) and KZH 1000/16 D10x20 mm if you want. These would do for complete recap of this unit you have.

Sent you a PM Behemot.

[Neo2_000]

Re: Coolermaster Recap

Nope. It's just free delivery for all online orders, no questions asked. I order from RS all the time. Element14 also have free delivery, but only for orders over $50.

Looks like they have finally caught up with the 21st century. Would never order from them in the past because freight was a killer.

Doesn't look like they have the higher values I need in a 10mm can though unfortunately.