10 Feb
2003
10 Feb
'03
5:16 a.m.
On Mon, 10 Feb 2003, Dwight K. Elvey wrote:
Why not just cover the cap with heat-shrink tubing? I've seen this done
quite a bit in high end switching power supplies. They often have about
3/8-1/2" extra sticking up from the top of the cap.
-Toth
Awhile ago
there was a thread about electrolytic capacitors popping
and then destroying the motherboard they are on. One of the ideas was
to replace them before they go.
Now I was wondering about another idea... Would it be okay to encase
the capacitor in silicone gel? Then when the capacitor pops, it
wouldn't spread its electrolyte all over the motherboard.
But would this cause other problems with heat or something? Would it
further shorten the life of the capacitor?
There isn't much you could cover it with that would stop a cap from
blowing. The pressures can get to several thousand PSI if there isn't a
relief someplace. Wrapping several layers of paper towel around them
might be better. This would at least keep the mess from the PCB.
There was an article about some bad capacitors made in the last few
years. According to the story, someone stole a formula for the
electrolyte and the formula was missing some key ingredient ( most
likely a depolarizer ). The caps made this way would out gas and
rupture.