Help identifying Capacitors in Inverter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2020, 07:44:04 pm
content: Hi, can anyone help me to identify this capacitor make and model in my Tesla Power Electronics Module (inverter). I am looking for the best quality replacement capacitors, any suggestions?Thanks

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2020, 07:52:02 pm
content: Those look like Panasonic ED series...https://www.mouser.co.uk/Panasonic/Passive-Components/Capacitors/Aluminum-Electrolytic-Capacitors/Aluminum-Electrolytic-Capacitors-Radial-Leaded/ED-Series/_/N-75hqw?P=1yzuxgbZ1yzvjj0What makes you think there's anything wrong with the existing ones?

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2020, 01:33:44 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on February 11, 2020, 07:52:02 pmThanks, At this point i dont suspect there is anything wrong with the existing ones. However, the car is now 9 years old and there is a company claiming the capacitors fail and require replacement at this point to ensure the longevity of the Power electronics module. As the PEM is £10k to replace, i am tempted to swap out the 24 large capacitors myself and maybe offer the service to other owners not wanting to ship their PEM to USA from UK. I am curious why mine are Blue not Black?

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 12, 2020, 02:02:11 pm
content: Quote from: Perrin21 on February 12, 2020, 01:33:44 pmIMHO it's a money grab by scaring clueless people.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 12, 2020, 02:06:35 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on February 11, 2020, 07:52:02 pmActually they are TS-ED which are not nearly the samehttps://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data%20Sheets/Panasonic%20Capacitors%20PDFs/EET-ED_Series.pdf

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2020, 02:22:59 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on February 12, 2020, 02:02:11 pmi was thinking as much. I have removed the lid on the PEM and visually inspected the Caps and all look like the one i took a photo of so no visible issues. Assuming i wanted to take the initiative and swap them out, what would you recommend as an upgrade? Should i go up in Voltage etc or just look for the same replacement caps as were there before? Why are mine blue? Is that just manufacturing?I have been looking at these MAL219390104E3 as they are rated for 6000 hours and 500V in same size. Is there anything even better out there?

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 12, 2020, 02:28:53 pm
content: Quote from: Perrin21 on February 12, 2020, 02:22:59 pmTwice as high ESR and lower ripple current than original, obvious downgrade. There is little reason going for higher voltage unless if in higher voltage rating you can get lower ESR and higher ripple current.QuotePanasonic made both blue and black caps. IIRC I've seen blue mostly in older equipment. Maybe they changed sleeve color for these series at some point. Those which are available now are black.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 12, 2020, 02:36:59 pm
content: https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/cornell-dubilier-electronics-cde/381LR471M450A052/338-3776-ND/1700124You could use this which surprisingly has 100% same specifications as original, never seen something like that.35 x 50 2.47 3.53 0.282 0.127 EETED2W471EA0.282 0.127 2.47 3.53 35 x 50 381LR471M450A052https://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data%20Sheets/Panasonic%20Capacitors%20PDFs/EET-ED_Series.pdfhttps://www.cde.com/resources/catalogs/381LR.pdf

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2020, 02:54:42 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on February 12, 2020, 02:28:53 pmHow about these panasonics? EETEE2W471LJ higher Ripple and lower ESR im getting no longer manufactured everywhere i look. is there a newer better version?

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2020, 03:05:22 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on February 12, 2020, 02:36:59 pmdo you think they are rebranded Panasonics? could they be lying about spec? are they a reputable brand?

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 12, 2020, 03:05:43 pm
content: Quote from: Perrin21 on February 12, 2020, 02:54:42 pmYou sort of can use it. But it's not specified at high frequency so YMMV.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 12, 2020, 03:07:01 pm
content: Quote from: Perrin21 on February 12, 2020, 03:05:22 pmCDE is reputable. You mostly can find them in industrial stuff, not consumer devices.

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2020, 03:21:18 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on February 12, 2020, 03:05:43 pmWhat about these TDK? they say not automotive but are lower ESR and higher Ripple. what are your thoughts? B43547A5477M0

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 12, 2020, 03:39:55 pm
content: Quote from: Perrin21 on February 12, 2020, 03:21:18 pmActually they are not better. They list typical ESR, not maximum ESR. Also if you look at ripple current, it's 2.79A at 100Hz and 105oC which is only slightly better than 2.47A of original. What they are certainly good at is creativity at making datasheet to put numbers which look impressive (if you don't look at conditions). And by looking at 240 mOhm Zmax @ 10 kHz (which is the only maximum figure), maximum ESR (which is majority of Z) is actually worse.

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2020, 04:31:29 pm
content: its looking like thehttps://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/cornell-dubilier-electronics-cde/381LR471M450A052/338-3776-ND/1700124are the perfect replacement then. Did Tesla choose the best available? Money no cost what's better?

author: Perrin21
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2020, 06:38:08 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on February 12, 2020, 02:02:11 pmHere is the essence of there claims