MacBook Air 820-3209-A Missing (3) AGX 22uF Decoupling Capacitors

[Cory Marqusee]

Hi Everyone,

I have a MacBook Air I've repaired, a mid-2012 13-inch 820-3209-A. It works. My only concern is that it is still missing (3) 22uF (0402 4V 20%) VAGX decoupling capacitors. Specifically, capacitors C1730, C1731, and C1732.

How necessary are these capacitors? It has (11) 22uF to begin with; missing (3), my board now only has (8).

I've been having difficulty sourcing new replacement capacitors without paying too much. Does anybody have any vendors state-side to recommend? Mouser charges parts + $8 shipping + $7 cutting fee (unless I buy an entire reel) and I maybe only need 50 - 100.

Thanks to all in advance!

[mon2]

Re: MacBook Air 820-3209-A Missing (3) AGX 22uF Decoupling Capacitors

Hi. We order from Mouser / DK all the time.

The $7 fee is for a TAPE & REEL fee for SMT machinery. For our SMT line, we have to apply a tape leader and place onto a reel so the equipment can suck up a part to place onto a blank PCB. We can get the same service @ Arrow for free (it is their incentive to win new business).

For your repair business, you only need CUT TAPE - no extra fees are required. They will just cut up the # of pieces you need and ship you the cut tape off a large reel.

$8 is a very good deal for shipping but you can also try Digikey. Then there is of course Aliexpress but will take a few weeks.

On the caps - be sure to order the proper SMD size; same or better voltage rating, etc.

[Cory Marqusee]

Re: MacBook Air 820-3209-A Missing (3) AGX 22uF Decoupling Capacitors

Thank you for your extremely fast response to my post/inquiry and for recommending Arrow as a SMD parts supplier! As you said, they don't charge a cut tape fee, and their shipping charges are only $6. I will use Arrow for now on in lieu of Mouser and Digikey.

However, Arrow noted they had a possible 5-day lag time in shipping due to high volume so I opted to go with a capacitor bundle from Amazon (almost 3,000 caps for $20 + tax) with delivery tomorrow. I have the options of stacking 2 x 10uF 0402 capacitors together and squeezing in larger 22uF 0603s. I unfortunately could not find any kits with 22uF 0402.

Thank you again for your help and time!

[reformatt]

Re: MacBook Air 820-3209-A Missing (3) AGX 22uF Decoupling Capacitors

Larger caps are to prevent rail ripple during peak loads. Given it's an Air, not really that critical. I usually get a collection of larger caps for 0402, 0603 and 0805 off Aliexpress, and shove them in a drawer.

If you don't want to do that, then buy yourself a 820-3437 donor board or two from Aliexpress. For the most part these are complete junk (chips torn off, SMC drilled though etc), but they are handy for passive components and connectors. Most of the caps etc are common between all these boards.

[Cory Marqusee]

Re: MacBook Air 820-3209-A Missing (3) AGX 22uF Decoupling Capacitors

Awesome! Thank you for your reply, as well. I appreciate you taking your time to help me. I'll go check out Aliexpress now.