Capacitor replacement of TREAMCAST internal power transformer

[gtsamour]

Hello,

so I'm a proud owner of a Treamcast, the latest black model with the PSone 4:3 screen.
I opened it up and replaced the laser lens because the drive had a difficult time reading discs (mosly cd-r) and now its all good.
I noticed though that the caps on the internal power transformer was a crappy brand (what a surprise since the Treamcast is a Chinese knockoff).
The brand of the caps are Aishi of the CD81 kind which is supposed to be "low leakage", I'm obviously talking about DC leakage. There was only one Nippon cap, probably for the others to rub off (lol).







The thing is I only have regular good brand caps (panasonic, Nichicon, Elna).

Since this isn't a switching PSU but a tranformer (takes 12V DC and gives 12V, 5V and 3.3V), do the caps need to be "low leakage" or can I use the good brand standard type caps that I already have? (with the right capaciance and voltage rating ofcourse).
Thanks for any insight.

[stj]

Re: Capacitor replacement of TREAMCAST internal power transformer

if it's not a high frequency supply then dont bother, aishi arent that bad.

[gtsamour]

Re: Capacitor replacement of TREAMCAST internal power transformer

if it's not a high frequency supply then dont bother, aishi arent that bad.

Well a Treamcast is estimated to cost around 500$ right now because its rare. I would like to make it last, who knows in the future it's value could go way higher so I would like to put some really good stuff caps in there if "low leakage" isn't an issue and I can install regular ones.

What is weird is that the same low leakage caps (CD81) were also present in the sound amplification board in which even me could tell weren't necessary to be low leakage. I replaced those already but I don't know about the ones in the transformer cirquit thats why I'm asking.

And from what I read in this forum, Aishi caps ain't that good...

[stj]

Re: Capacitor replacement of TREAMCAST internal power transformer

i wouldnt use them in high frequency, high ripple stuff,
but i'v only seen them fail in very hot places.
VERY hot - inside lamp ballasts that run 10-16 hours a day.

[budm]

Re: Capacitor replacement of TREAMCAST internal power transformer

It does have Buck switching regulators, LM2576-5V and LM2576-Adj.
https://cdn.badcaps-static.com/pdfs/...8b6f64a899.pdf

[gtsamour]

Re: Capacitor replacement of TREAMCAST internal power transformer

It does have Buck switching regulators, LM2576-5V and LM2576-Adj.
https://cdn.badcaps-static.com/pdfs/...8b6f64a899.pdf

OK, so? Help me here... do the caps need to be low leakage or not? Because CD81 caps aren't low ESR or anything, I looked it up.

[stj]

Re: Capacitor replacement of TREAMCAST internal power transformer

if it's a switching design then they must be low ESR.
otherwise they heat up internally and fail faster.

[gtsamour]

Re: Capacitor replacement of TREAMCAST internal power transformer

if it's a switching design then they must be low ESR.
otherwise they heat up internally and fail faster.

Well they're not.... I can't find a specs pdf for Aishi CD81 caps, only mentionings in listings and the only thing that describes CD81 is "low leakage".

Something tells me they're destined to fail.... soon.

Also, CD81 seems to be a general code for low current leakage, it exists as a code on other brands too.

The closest thing I found...
https://cdn.badcaps-static.com/pdfs/...8ea1037520.pdf

[stj]

Re: Capacitor replacement of TREAMCAST internal power transformer

any other markings on the cap?

[gtsamour]

Re: Capacitor replacement of TREAMCAST internal power transformer

any other markings on the cap?

Besides CD81 absolutely nothing.

[stj]

Re: Capacitor replacement of TREAMCAST internal power transformer

well if you use low esr - dont go overboard.
something like rubycon YXG/J or ZL, or panasonic FC would be the limit for how low the esr should get.

[gtsamour]

Re: Capacitor replacement of TREAMCAST internal power transformer

well if you use low esr - dont go overboard.
something like rubycon YXG/J or ZL, or panasonic FC would be the limit for how low the esr should get.

Thank you for your helpfull info

[lti]

Re: Capacitor replacement of TREAMCAST internal power transformer

Nippon Chemi-Con doesn't make a BF series. I saw those in an EEVblog thread a while back, and the actual brand was next to the date code.

[gtsamour]

Re: Capacitor replacement of TREAMCAST internal power transformer

Nippon Chemi-Con doesn't make a BF series. I saw those in an EEVblog thread a while back, and the actual brand was next to the date code.

So this one is bogus? I see lots of BF "Nippon" on ebay but I can't find any official specs sheet for it so you might be right. Does this one need to be low ESR too? I think not since the current its on is DC.

[stj]

Re: Capacitor replacement of TREAMCAST internal power transformer

nippon is japanese for japan.
chemicon is abreviated to ncc.
(nippon-chemi-con)

[gtsamour]

Re: Capacitor replacement of TREAMCAST internal power transformer

Recap done, all low ESR caps are Panasonic FC Series. New laser lens and a new socket with a removable recharchable battery too

[sam_sam_sam]

Re: Capacitor replacement of TREAMCAST internal power transformer

Here is my rule of thumb

If the power supply has any type switching regulator ic chip of any type I automatically change all the capacitor in it except maybe the main capacitor but if shows any kind of leaking or it is swollen in anyway it might get replaced anyway

If over 5 years old and you are using 8 to 10 hours to 24 hours a day then for sure recap the board