If you need some electronics or old HiFi such as vintage amplifiers recapped I can do this for you.
I don’t just work on HiFi and audio so can recap power supplies in old home computers and gaming machines for example.
Note – Ordering and recapping something is a time consuming process and is often unnecessary. There’s a very real risk of circuit board damage during the removal of the old ones depending on how they’re fitted and the type of PCB.
If there’s more than about ten capacitors I won’t take it on unless you provide me with a kit of parts. Checking datasheets and finding a supplier that has all the parts takes a long time which I’d need to do to give you a quote.
Modern capacitors are smaller than 30 year old ones so holes might need to be drilled in the circuit board to enable the the large ‘snap in’ types used in power supplies to be fitted.
If something requires a time consuming repair after recapping due to a design parameter changing you will be charged for it.
The image below is a power supply for an old BBC Micro I recapped where an X2 capacitor (X2 is a special class of capacitor) fitted across the mains input had exploded.
It’s not unusual for old X2 capacitors to go into meltdown as they’re designed to go short circuit when they fail.
If you’re in the UK and want some electronics repaired or recapped please contact me for a quote.
I obtain capacitors from authorised component suppliers such as RS Components, CPC, Farnell and Mouser to ensure you get a genuine part.
Capacitors have a little mentioned parameter called ripple rating. Only the designer of the product knows what the specified rating should be as it’s not written on the device or the parts list (if there is one).
The above aside, providing me with a kit will be cheaper as it saves my time (often hours) creating a capacitor parts list and ordering them.
The photo below is of a new DAC board from China. I replaced all the electrolytic capacitors with genuine Nichicon ones along with replacing a couple of the heatsinks with bigger ones (a customer request).
In the first instance email me about the required work, ideally with a photo of the equipment or circuit board along with the model number.
Items for recapping can be shipped to me from anywhere in the UK.
Why change the capacitors?
Electrolytic capacitors can fail, change value or stop working completely. Some fail with obvious bulges on the top or by leaking fluid all over the board while other faulty ones look perfectly fine. In certain cases they explode.
The issue with electrolytic capacitors is the electrolyte in them can dry out, leak out, or it’s chemical composition might change over the course of years. This will change the properties of the capacitor, especially if they’re fitted near a part that gets hot.
Electrolytic capacitors have a storage shelf life so if your amp has been stored in the loft for ten years the electrolytic capacitors might have become compromised.
Large and heavy capacitors usually found in power supply sections often have glue between the capacitor and circuit board to prevent strain on the solder joints and the component. The glue can take many forms and might look like a leaking capacitor when it isn’t.
The old glue can be incredibly tough. I replaced some capacitors once and had to use a scalpel to cut the capacitor away from it as they couldn’t be moved without risking damage to the board!
Single sided boards of the type found in both old and new audio equipment is flimsy so can easily be broken.
If all the big capacitors have the same looking ‘leak’ it’s probably glue unless the top is bulging and or covered in gunk.
Electrolytic capacitors fitted next to parts that get hot such as heatsinks or high wattage resistors are prime candidates for failure, especially older ones as they’re often only rated for 85°C. Modern capacitors can be obtained that are rated for 105°C.
Faulty capacitors in the power supply of audio equipment such as amplifiers can cause hum to be heard from the speakers.
Faulty ones in switch mode power supplies (SMPS) can stop the power supply from starting.
Electrolytic capacitors that are used in the power supply circuits of audio amplifiers don’t need to be ‘audio grade’ as audio doesn’t pass through them. They might even be a worse choice.
Non electrolytic capacitors are unlikely to need replacing as they’re of a completely different construction and don’t change value much if at all over time.
The exception to this are spark suppression capacitors that are usually fitted across the contacts of mains on / off switches. These old capacitors can burn out or get cracks in them making them dangerous and ineffective, so they should be replaced with modern safety approved X2 parts.
I use anti static mats and wrist straps to minimize the risk of static damage.
For a quote, please email me. I will need to know what the equipment is or send a photo of it.
Contact me by Email: orangevalleysystems@gmail.com