Amiga.org

The "Not Quite Amiga but still computer related category" => Alternative Operating Systems => Topic started by: redrumloa on October 06, 2007, 02:33:07 AM

Title: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: redrumloa on October 06, 2007, 02:33:07 AM
I am finally getting around to repairing my old Televideo computer. I am making a Mouser order and looking at these old capacitor raises a question.

3300uF(M) - What does the M stand for?

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: rkauer on October 06, 2007, 02:40:25 AM
 Means almost nothing! 3300 micro-farads means 3.3 mili-farads, but the last is not a current "measure".

 Only be sure to grab a 105 degrees type (high frequency type).
Title: Re: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: LoadWB on October 06, 2007, 02:43:49 AM
Red,

You sure that doesn't indicate the package type in their catalog?  Sometimes they show pics of different styles and label them alphabetically.
Title: Re: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: koaftder on October 06, 2007, 02:49:36 AM
UF/uF/µF/(M)/micro it's extra specific, don't worry about it

Title: Re: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: amiga92570 on October 06, 2007, 02:50:43 AM
Might mean Mylar?
Title: Re: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: koaftder on October 06, 2007, 03:00:27 AM
(http://www.diystompboxes.com/pedals/Caps.jpg)

Mylar caps:
(http://www.global-b2b-network.com/direct/dbimage/50159744/Mylar_Capacitors.jpg)
Title: Re: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: nBit7 on October 06, 2007, 04:03:38 AM
'M' may refer to the tolerance +-20% (which is about normal for electrolytic caps)
Or it may refer to a series.

105 degrees refers to max operating temperature.  The temperature before you kill the dielectric.  It has no relation to operating frequency.

The main parameter that decides the maximum operating frequency is the ESL (Equivalent Series Inductance) which is related to resonant frequency.  This information normally isn't provided for electrolytic caps as they usually not used for high frequency applications.

The parameter for more interest is ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance).  This is the main indicator of performance.  Generally Low ESR is better.  But higher performance brings higher inrush currents so sometimes it can be a bad thing.

Low ESR caps usually have some marking or bright colour (orange yellow) to identify them.

So if it looks like a fairly standard cap (blue or gray colour) replace it with a standard cap.
Title: Re: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: redrumloa on October 06, 2007, 08:35:26 PM
Thanks for the responses guys :-) One more question.

I loaded the order with General Purpose Electrolytic Capacitors. One thing I notice is the dimensions available are not exactly the same, all are a bit smaller. That isn't what worries me, I just would like to be sure general purpose is appropriate for the application. I am currently replacing the capacitors on 3 power supplies from this Televideo TS-801H computer.

There is no reason to need anything besides general purpose(20% tolerance) in simple power supplies, right?

Thanks again.
Title: Re: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: redrumloa on October 06, 2007, 11:53:14 PM
Ok here's a tough one!

Axial capacitor, 25V, 16uF, 85C. It's about 18mm wide, 40mm long. It has "SAMHWA" on it and "(M)8311". Finally the other side says "NPHF"

I cannot find this cap anywhere  :angry: Not Mouser, not Digikey, not ebay. I can't even find anything close. Any ideas?
Title: Re: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: redrumloa on October 07, 2007, 12:12:18 AM
Ah-ha!!! Is THIS (http://www.mcminone.com/product.asp?catalog_name=MCMProducts&product_id=310-155&CMP=datafeeds&ATT=froogle) it??


I think so, makes sense as it is on the monitor power supply.

Ordered, hope it is it.
Title: Re: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: Stedy on October 07, 2007, 12:18:32 AM
Redrumloa,

Try this part from Mouser, TVE1322 (http://www.mouser.com/search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=TVX1E332MCDvirtualkey64700000virtualkey647-TVX1E332MCD)
41.5 mm long (nominal).

Looks OK electrically to me, albeit a quick glance of the relevant specs.

Good luck,

Ian
Title: Re: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: redrumloa on October 07, 2007, 12:35:25 AM
Thank you, but that says 3300uF? This part is 16uF.
Title: Re: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: nBit7 on October 07, 2007, 12:50:00 PM
Newer generation caps will be physically smaller don't worry.
General purpose caps should be fine for most power supplies.  High performance ones can in some cases cause problems due to higher inrush currents.
Title: Re: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: nBit7 on October 07, 2007, 01:04:09 PM
Quote
Axial capacitor, 25V, 16uF, 85C. It's about 18mm wide, 40mm long. It has "SAMHWA" on it and "(M)8311". Finally the other side says "NPHF"


Axial are getting harder to get.  I am a little worried by the  "NPHF" the "NP" series of Samhwa cap is a non-polarised cap.
Maybe you should post a picture.  
Title: Re: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: nBit7 on October 07, 2007, 01:11:50 PM
Quote
Ah-ha!!! Is THIS it??

Yes that should be fine.
Title: Re: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: Oliver on October 07, 2007, 02:12:05 PM
Hi Red,

Just for general interest, here (http://wiki.xtronics.com/index.php/Capacitor_codes) is a list of capacitor tolerance codes.  Usually, power supply caps have a wide margin for error, unless it's going to be supplying a high frequency device.

Quote
nBit7 wrote:
I am a little worried by the "NPHF" the "NP" series of Samhwa cap is a non-polarised cap.


Just as a general note, I think the issue that nBit7 is refering to, is that non-polarised caps should not be replaced with polarised caps.  Replacing polarised, with non-polarised would generally be fine.  Non polarised caps are used when the voltage across the cap will have both positive and negative swing.
Title: Re: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: Zac67 on October 07, 2007, 02:41:47 PM
If you have a choice, you should go for the 105° types. Electrolytic caps degrade over time and the higher the temperature, the faster they degrade. 105° caps have a slower degradation, i.e. last longer - except where temperature is no issue at all (<40°C).
Title: Re: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: redrumloa on October 07, 2007, 03:19:48 PM
Quote
Axial are getting harder to get. I am a little worried by the "NPHF" the "NP" series of Samhwa cap is a non-polarised cap.


One small mistake on my part, it is a radial cap, not an axial cap. Brain fart :crazy: I will post a picture later when I get a chance. The cap I ordered is a non-polarised cap. I hope the one I ordered is right, with shipping it cost me almost $12.
Title: Re: Capacitor question for hardware gurus
Post by: _yak_ on October 07, 2007, 05:03:33 PM
'M' probably stands for 'Military spec'.
:lol: