Physical Dimensions

[nevarhia]

I realize this is probably a dumb question but I have to ask. Do the physical dimensions (height, length) have anything to do with how a capacitor functions?

I have a 3300uF 16V cap that has failed, it's 10mm wide x 40mm long. Is it ok to replace it with one that is 12mm wide x 25mm long?

[Scenic]

Re: Physical Dimensions

^ those cap specs sound like that cap came out of an Antec PSU..
as long as the values are the same (3300uF, 16V, about the same or higher ripple for PSUs, same or lower ESR for everything else) it should work. at least if it physically fits where the old cap was..
diameter is often a problem in cramped areas.. height is a problem for example in LCDs .. (kind of embarrassing if your fixed LCD works fine but you can't put the cover back on because the caps are too tall )

[370forlife]

Re: Physical Dimensions

^ those cap specs sound like that cap came out of an Antec PSU..
as long as the values are the same (3300uF, 16V, about the same or higher ripple for PSUs, same or lower ESR for everything else)

As long as the ESR isn't too much lower, as even lower ESR can cause more ripple.

[nevarhia]

Re: Physical Dimensions

^ those cap specs sound like that cap came out of an Antec PSU..
as long as the values are the same (3300uF, 16V, about the same or higher ripple for PSUs, same or lower ESR for everything else) it should work. at least if it physically fits where the old cap was..
diameter is often a problem in cramped areas.. height is a problem for example in LCDs .. (kind of embarrassing if your fixed LCD works fine but you can't put the cover back on because the caps are too tall )

Actually it came out of an Alpine cd player. How do I determine what the ESR is?

[Scenic]

Re: Physical Dimensions

look up what brand and series the original cap is (a picture would help) and look for a datasheet

[nevarhia]

Re: Physical Dimensions

Ok here are some pics

[Scenic]

Re: Physical Dimensions

ugh.. those are Panasonic X-Pro "Audio Grade" caps.. (a.k.a. "audiophool caps"..)

Pureism and X-Pro series Capacitor is made by Panasonic Electronic specially for Audio, with special surface treatment of the alunminium foil , special electrolyte compound and oxygen free copper lead, it give you more clear high end and low end is more firm and more detail, low ESR and high ripple current.

Due to the high manufacturing cost, the X-pro and Pureism series (Audio Grade capacitor) product by Panasonic (made in Japan) are obsolete for many years.

no real datasheet available cause Matsushita/Panasonic stopped making them 15+ years ago..

i'd say Panasonic FC series would be OK to replace those, especially since these are commonly used as sort of "audiophile on a budget" grade caps..

[nevarhia]

Re: Physical Dimensions

Would this be a good substitute?

http://mouser.com/ProductDetail/Unit...OFVHZ4wuBkU%3d

Mouser has a location 5 minutes from my house. But the Panasonic's are out of stock and I'd rather not pay shipping if I don't have to.

[PlainBill]

Re: Physical Dimensions

As long as the ESR isn't too much lower, as even lower ESR can cause more ripple.

????

PlainBill

[370forlife]

Re: Physical Dimensions

????

PlainBill

Well, maybe not here, but in the case of a PSU (as Scenic had suggested it may have been an antec psu,) the PI filters are "tuned" to the ESR of the capacitors.

[PlainBill]

Re: Physical Dimensions

Well, maybe not here, but in the case of a PSU (as Scenic had suggested it may have been an antec psu,) the PI filters are "tuned" to the ESR of the capacitors.

AHH!!! Thanks for the clarification.

PlainBill

[kc8adu]

Re: Physical Dimensions

that likely is used to clean up the +12 where it enters the unit.fc or fm is fine there.
what happened?
regulator overshoot?reversed polarity?

[nevarhia]

Re: Physical Dimensions

I have no idea why it popped, the deck is 10 years old and I have it cranked up every day.

Also, I live in Texas and my truck doesn't have a/c so I know it gets really hot especially in the summer months.

[nevarhia]

Re: Physical Dimensions

Well, I soldered in the new cap.

Works perfectly, now I can rock out again!

Thanks for all the advice.