EP-8RDA+ recap question

[MintabiePete]

Thanks for this forum and all the good info here

I have this 8RDA+ that I have had since new , it would be close to 3 years old , and for a long time I was running a XP 2600+ mobile on it overclocked but lately have been running it standard , it has been running W2K/ Ubuntu edgy and I have had no problems with it . Just recently I noticed some of the caps were swollen , so I have pulled it out of service and have decided to have a go at recapping it .

I havn't had much success at this previously , probably because the m/b's I have tried to fix may have had other problems , but this one with the great instructions you give I will give it a go

Now there only seerms to be about 5 caps that seem to be swollen , but I will replace them all as it has been pointed out that is the best way if I want this board to last .

The thing I wanted to know is 4 of the ones that are swollen are 1500 uF@ 6.3v and they are 10mm x 20mm and the one that is also swollen on the end dimm3 at CE38 which I couldn't tell what it was until I took it off is also a 1500 uF @6.3v 10mm x 15mm , a bit shorter that the other 1500 uF @ 6.3v . Now would it make any difference if I kept all the 1500 uF @ 6.3v the same ?

I hope I have explained it properly and that you can understand what I have written .

Thanks

[davmax]

Re: EP-8RDA+ recap question

To answer your question. You can make all caps the same as long as there is no problem with height. Make sure you get quality Low ESR caps. From my experience the caps that fail are at the input of the voltage regulator for the processor and they sit right next to the HOT MOSFETs. This means their life is shortened by a higher operating temperature. Todays good quality caps will probably last long enough for you, however long life caps such as Rubycon ZL or ZLG will do much better at this spot (typically they are larger diameter 12.5mm, this is not a problem for the hot spot caps but may be too large around memory DIMMs). I have actually attached heat sinks to the 8RDA+ MOSFETs to help get rid of some of the heat.

[MintabiePete]

Re: EP-8RDA+ recap question

Thanks for your response davmax , seems that Farnell keep a good range and seem to have Rubycon . Now how do you know they are low ESR caps ? that is measured in ohms isnt it ? I just have not seen anything in the specs of the individual caps .

[MintabiePete]

Re: EP-8RDA+ recap question

But seems Farnell has Rubycon ZL in stock and it looks like that will be the way to go , and what I have read up on ESR the impedance seems to be low

[Fizzycapola]

Re: EP-8RDA+ recap question

They stock Rubycon ZL, ZLH, Panasonic FC & FM, Nichicon HD. Sanyo SC Oscons and very good spec solid polymer surface mount capacitors.

Typically Panasonic FM have the best specifications on paper, low esr, extremely low leakage current, highest ripple and the lowest price. When I bought my Rubycon they were twice the price of Panasonic FM. I've since bought a backup supply of Panasonic FM incase of further issues and a range of different value ML, YXG, ZLH for emergencies.

Whilst new Rubycon ZLH have the worst specifications on paper but highest life rating and highest price.

[davmax]

Re: EP-8RDA+ recap question

FM would be a good bet. Their 10mm have double the life of most other 10mm. It seems that they are lower cost also. Are you in the US?

[MintabiePete]

Re: EP-8RDA+ recap question

No I am in Oz , I live in Broken Hill , and we only have Dick Smith here , but I have bought from Farnells before online , bit pricey if you only want a couple of caps , but it gets here very fast Yes I have noticed the price of the Panasonic FM , I may go that way , as I want to replace them all , and try to get another life out of this m/b , If I had not of overclocked for so long , it would most likely still be ok , but it has not given me any problems whatsover , so I feel I am getting in at the right time to recap it

[davmax]

Re: EP-8RDA+ recap question

Your plan sounds good. Because you are in Oz I would normally recommend member Big Pope to supply good caps at right price, air mailed from Hong Kong. The RS series is long life and GC or GD Ultra low ESR but about half the life.

[MintabiePete]

Re: EP-8RDA+ recap question

Well I have ordered through Farnell, all I have to is wait . Buying things through Hong Kong is no big deal now , I do it often on ebay I was a bit surprised about the life expectency Samxon 2000 & 7000 and according to what I saw Panasonic FM @ 5000. Seems the Samxon RS series @7000 last a real long time

[Big Pope]

Re: EP-8RDA+ recap question

Well I have ordered through Farnell, all I have to is wait . Buying things through Hong Kong is no big deal now , I do it often on ebay I was a bit surprised about the life expectency Samxon 2000 & 7000 and according to what I saw Panasonic FM @ 5000. Seems the Samxon RS series @7000 last a real long time

Add more inforamtion, but FM is more low impedance then Samxon RS. Samxon GK should be similar or nearly to Panasonic FM.

[MD Willington]

Re: EP-8RDA+ recap question

I see you made it on over Pete !

[MintabiePete]

Re: EP-8RDA+ recap question

Yeah mate , used you as a referral, and this site is everything you say it is very helpful

[MD Willington]

Re: EP-8RDA+ recap question

No problem... these guys really know there stuff!

[MintabiePete]

Re: EP-8RDA+ recap question

Well I finally got some of the caps from Farnells but was not really impressed with the service I got from them , when I ordered them , I ordered a full set and they did tell me that they were on backorder which I accepted , but after about a month, I gave them a nudge and eventually I got the 5 1500uF 6.3v , that were actually the only ones that were swollen , and after about another 3 weeks they were still not any closer to getting that ones that I wanted so I cancelled the order . When I ordered parts from Farnells previously I got great service , but this time , well I just got sick of waiting

Anyway I went ahead removed the 5 1500 uF that were swollen and soldered the new Panasonic 1500uF 6.3v caps in place , put it back in the case, and set everything up , and it seems to be humming along nicely as it was before I noticed the swollen caps , so hopefully I will have no more problems with it for a while .

I would have liked to have replaced them all , but there you are , it is done , and I am quite happy with my first successful recap job , and the easy to follow tips from this forum

Thanks