Author Topic: Another case of Rifa madness  (Read 1418 times)

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Offline SeanBTopic starter

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Another case of Rifa madness
« on: January 06, 2023, 10:08:23 am »
So, decided to test this UPS, dating from 1997. Open the case, and look at the battery inside, stone dead Panasonic, likely good only as a brick. Put in a new used one, at least it holds charge, and turn on the power switch. UPS starts up, and runs, so I look, mains fuse missing. New 5A one into the holder, and it powers up, charging the battery, at least for 30 seconds.

Then a puff of smoke, and a loud pop, and the Rifa blew it's top, letting the smoke out. Now I have to remove that board, replace the 3 Rifa transparent caps on there, and replace them, along with a new fuse, and I will have a nice little UPS to place on the CCTV system. Lives up to it's name of being a Scamp.......
 

Offline Mark

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Re: Another case of Rifa madness
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2023, 05:39:44 pm »
Don't forget to mention the smell, it takes days to get rid of!
 

Offline ebastler

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Re: Another case of Rifa madness
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2023, 07:51:21 pm »
Isn't it a cruel twist of history that this once proud Swedish electronics company is only remembered for their failing capacitors now?  ::)

I came across a couple of RIFA-brand TTL ICs recently (in a FACIT paper tape reader, also from Sweden). And that was the first time I realized RIFA had not only made capacitors...
« Last Edit: January 06, 2023, 08:39:23 pm by ebastler »
 
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Offline veedub565

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Re: Another case of Rifa madness
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2023, 08:21:33 pm »
Don't forget to mention the smell, it takes days to get rid of!

Weirdly I like the smell, Schaffner mains filters too. The lab at work stinks for days after one lets go.
 

Offline SeanBTopic starter

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Re: Another case of Rifa madness
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2023, 08:35:38 pm »
Yes I can still smell it on me....
 

Offline nigelwright7557

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Re: Another case of Rifa madness
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2023, 06:00:31 am »
I watch a lot of youtube electronics repair video's
Its amazing how many faults come down to decoupling capacitors.
Same old routine, inject voltage and use thermal camera to see what gets hot.
 
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Offline AVGresponding

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Re: Another case of Rifa madness
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2023, 12:05:39 pm »
I watch a lot of youtube electronics repair video's
Its amazing how many faults come down to decoupling capacitors.
Same old routine, inject voltage and use thermal camera to see what gets hot.

Technically RIFAs are used as coupling capacitors...

 :popcorn:
nuqDaq yuch Dapol?
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Offline Halcyon

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Re: Another case of Rifa madness
« Reply #7 on: January 07, 2023, 01:59:54 pm »
Speaking of smells, I remember growing up when I somehow (almost) blew up my father's old analog multimeter. I think I did something stupid like measured a battery on the current setting. Anyway, there was a sizzle and this distinct, strong smell of peanuts. The meter stunk for months after that. Not sure if that was the PCB or some other component.

The meter still worked though. I never did own up to that and pretended nothing happened. This was back in the early 1990's.

Not sure what brand meter it was but it had a massive analog needle on the top half and the case was a light blue colour.
« Last Edit: January 07, 2023, 02:02:24 pm by Halcyon »
 

Offline wilfred

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Re: Another case of Rifa madness
« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2023, 01:51:34 pm »
Jerry Walker just uploaded a short video where he tests one. But just the one.
 


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