At the office, we get new high-end computers every three years.
The last batch of Dell GX-270s, several of us had to have the
motherboards replaced
due to bulging electrolytic capacitors. Fortunately, none of them went
out with a bang.
The symptom? Sudden reboots that weren't requested.
73 de Jim - AD6CW
Dr. Gerald N. Johnson wrote:
Some varieties of miniature electrolytics have a high power factor when
new and fresh. Many were not well made. There was once a period when
nearly every computer mother board had bad capacitors because some
Chinese lowest price maker didn't make the right and they couldn't stand
rated operating voltage or even a fraction of it. But tended to short
and eject their guts.
I've been testing miniature electrolytics for several years with a
modified Heathkit capacitor tester that has power factor on two of the
capacitance ranges. I've found no used miniature electrolytics with good
power factor and the most commonly available new ones not better. The
low ESR and high temperature range capacitors measure significantly
better.
I'm of the opinion that in time, if not now, many solid state vintage
radios need every miniature electrolytic replaced, just like we replace
molded oiled paper capacitors for their inherent leakage. And like those
oiled papers, I don't think its worth the bother to test them, just
replace them. Even the low ESR parts aren't expensive.
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