alexh wrote:
I'm not sure I really believe you that all the capacitors are susceptible to failure and I dont think I (or anyone?) could be arsed to replace them all? Could they? It would take hours. Not to mention the high risk to most users of a mistake.
I can finish a a600 board about 30-45 mins in one sweep. I don't bother with hot air though. Just wiggle the cap gently in one direction, with a beak head plier until it comes off. if you do it right way, you won't lift any pads, the legs are already corroded by this time so it will come off eventually. When you get the head, the legs are in the open so just remove the plastic bottom (if it's still there) and desolder the legs and any remaining solder with a solder braid. I have yet to lift a pad by this method (and I did 3x1200, 2x600, 3x4000 boards till now). Of course practising on a A600 first is a good idea before working on something like A4000 till you get the feel of it.
