Webcam Capacitor Idenfication - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: sysboy
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 05:18:20 pm
content: Hi,I have found a couple of bulging capacitors in my webcam that's stopped working. I want to replace them (this may make it worse but hey, take it apart...) but I'm unsure exactly what to get to replace them. I've attached a picture. If all else fails, I'll just buy another camera but it would be nice to save if from the landfill.CheersSteve

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 05:20:42 pm
content: This:http://nl.mouser.com/pdfdocs/NichiconCFcapacitors.pdfSo: 16V, 150 uF

author: sysboy
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 05:24:46 pm
content: Wow, I had hardly time to refresh the page! Thanks for the help!

author: Armadillo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 10:14:06 pm
content: Quote from: sysboy on February 05, 2017, 05:18:20 pmDid you see any leak from the capacitors? Bulge "normally" applies to electrolytic with the "SLIT" on the TOP can.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 10:35:37 pm
content: Quote from: sysboy on February 05, 2017, 05:18:20 pmThis cap isNOTbulging. And most likely it is not even an electrolytic cap but polymer.EDIT: yes as PA0PBZ says, it's nichicon CF. It just cannot bulge because it just not able to do so. There is no liquid electrolyte inside.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 10:47:15 pm
content: Quote from: PA0PBZ on February 05, 2017, 05:20:42 pmAccording to that datasheet, it should be 15uF.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2017, 08:27:03 am
content: Quote from: RoGeorge on February 05, 2017, 10:47:15 pmI think that is only in the type numbering system. To my defense: there is no mention of a 15uF with 'C' voltage code.

author: eKretz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2017, 09:48:43 am
content: Hmm, that's a weird one. The datasheet example shows that they use conventional notation - i.e. code 151 = 15 x 10^1 = 150 microfarads. The cap markings then say it should be 15 microfarads - i.e. code 150 = 15 x 10^0. However, PA0PBZ is right about that not seeming to exist in the 'C' series according to the datasheet. Very odd.All that said, it's not very likely that this cap is a problem based on bulging. I've never seen one of these bulge either. Vent all over the the board out the bottom yes (though that may not have been a polymer cap either). I wonder does the OP have an ESR meter?

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2017, 09:58:45 am
content: Quote from: eKretz on February 06, 2017, 09:48:43 amThe example shows the part number, not the marking on the cap.

author: Armadillo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2017, 10:01:37 am
content: 151 = 150uf150 = 15uf

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2017, 10:09:36 am
content: Quote from: PA0PBZ on February 06, 2017, 08:27:03 amI thought that is not possible, so that made me switch my guess from 150 uF to 15 uF. My common sense was still saying "Hey, it looks like an 150 uF, you know, and there is no 15uF/16V in that datasheet...". Then you replied, then I googled a few images for "smd electrolytic capacitor" and I couldn't find any markings ending in '1'. I also desoldered and measured a few marked 100s from an old CD ROM board, and they are 100uF, not 10uF.I guess I was wrong, sorry.It is 150uF, not 15uF.Thank you for pointing that out.

author: eKretz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2017, 10:14:50 am
content: Yeah the datasheet itself is wrong then - it clearly shows the 151 code equal to 150 microfarads - Armadillo kindly copied the relevant area from the datasheet. Unless you're saying that the capacitance marking on the cap itself is using different nomenclature than the capacitance spec in the part number, which would be very confusing and pretty dumb.

author: Armadillo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2017, 10:21:54 am
content: The marking may not be the same as the numbering system use... the marking says its "capacitance", so I accepted it as 150uF.Thanks for pointing that out.

author: sysboy
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 06, 2017, 11:16:59 am
content: Thanks for all the replies!I don't have an ESR meter unfortunately. I assumed the problem was with that capacitor since it has a much more rounded top than it's fellow capacitors. I will try and investigate further!

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2017, 09:33:04 pm
content: You can get Chinese ESR testers for as little as $10 on ebay.