Testing Capacitors?

[allsmith]

I have a question about testing capacitors.

Is there any way to test caps out of circuit just for trouble shooting purposes.

Is there a way to just test if they are good enough to do there job and make the tv work,then i will replace them with high quality new ones once i know the tv works good with a good lcd picture.

Now is a ESR meter the only way to make a test like that on a cap,or is there a shade tree machanic way to do it?

I have seen a youtube video of a guy that tested them by running a audio signal from a stereo through them hooked to a speaker.
I have tried this on obvious bad caps that are completely vented and yeah the audio signal wont go through.(where the audio signal will pass through good caps)

I have also tried charging them with two AA batteries to see if they will take the 3 volt charge.

Problem with the audio test is i have had some that will pass a audio signal but they wont take a charge from the two AA batteries,so the audio test is not very acurate.

Is charging them with a battery the only back yard way to test or is there any other way to test them without a ESR meter?

The only other way i have heard of is to use a analog meter on ohm test and the needle will jump and increase as the meter is charging the cap.

If a ESR meter is the only way to accurately test if the cap will work and there not too expensive i would like to get one.

Any info would be appreciated!
Thanks, Lonny

[EvilGhozt]

Re: Testing Capacitors?

Connect 555 timer running in 100khz and some few mV, then use a oscilioscope to look at the signal. You should then see if the capacistor is bad or not. the good thing is that you dont need to desolder the cap for testing, since the low voltage...

[shorteddiode]

Re: Testing Capacitors?

How about the old octopus test rig, will that work in circuit?

[budm]

Re: Testing Capacitors?

DIY ESR, just Google. For examples.

[allsmith]

Re: Testing Capacitors?

DIY ESR, just Google. For examples.

Thanks bud,i did a quick google on diy esr.

Looks a bit too copmlicated for me,but i'll research some more and see if i can understand it.

Do you have a recomendation of a decent,but affordable store bought ESR meter?

It wouldnt have to test in circuit ,but that would be nice.

Thank you.