Electronics > Beginners

Help with replacement capacitor shopping

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Mp3:
Hi everyone,
i have an audio interface here i got for almost nothing. It works fine when it works, but it randomly resets or powers off. I opened it up and found two of the three biggest capacitors are domed so i think i should replace them.

The capacitors are 2x 4700uf 10v  and   1x  1000uf 35v

The problem is the capacitors used have no name or info aside from capacitance and voltage.  I can't easily pick a replacement capacitor since i don't want to choose one with an incorrect ripple current rating and cause more damage.

How can i find out if there is no easily found information on the capacitors used in the device? If the ripple current is around 2A for my replacement caps is there much risk?

Thank you!

ArthurDent:
I wouldn't worry too much but to be safe just get low ESR 105 degree C rated caps. They aren't much different in price from the ones that were originally used that are probably cheaper ones if they aren't marked.

james_s:
The capacitors you're replacing are probably not anything special, don't over-think it, just buy something from one of the reputable brands following the advice above. Personally I like Nichicon, Rubycon and Panasonic capacitors but those are far from the only good choices Virtually anything from places like Digikey will be better than the generic crap that is in there.

Old Printer:
Since the obvious hasn't been stated, I think what you are referring to is electrolytic as the type of capacitor. If your original caps have a polarity marked on the case, electrolytic is the moset probable, though tantalum capacitors can also have a polarity designation. A pix would help.

TERRA Operative:
A small detail to note.

Capacitors these days are much smaller than older caps with the same ratings. This means you will often need to go to a higher voltage rating capacitor so the leads on the new capacitor will fit the spacing of the holes on the PCB.
As long as the capacitance is the same, you can go higher voltage no worries, just don't go lower.

Any low ESR cap from a reputable manufacturer will be fine. I like the Rubycon ZL/ZLH/ZLR series for low ESR and low ESL (Equivalent Series Inductance) with high ripple current ratings.

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