Another case of Rifa madness - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2023, 10:08:23 am
content: So, decided to test this UPS, dating from 1997. Open the case, and look at the battery inside, stone dead Panasonic, likely good only as a brick. Put in a new used one, at least it holds charge, and turn on the power switch. UPS starts up, and runs, so I look, mains fuse missing. New 5A one into the holder, and it powers up, charging the battery, at least for 30 seconds.Then a puff of smoke, and a loud pop, and the Rifa blew it's top, letting the smoke out. Now I have to remove that board, replace the 3 Rifa transparent caps on there, and replace them, along with a new fuse, and I will have a nice little UPS to place on the CCTV system. Lives up to it's name of being a Scamp.......

author: Mark
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2023, 05:39:44 pm
content: Don't forget to mention the smell, it takes days to get rid of!

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2023, 07:51:21 pm
content: Isn't it a cruel twist of history that this once proud Swedish electronics company is only remembered for their failing capacitors now?I came across a couple of RIFA-brand TTL ICs recently (in a FACIT paper tape reader, also from Sweden). And that was the first time I realized RIFA had not only made capacitors...

author: veedub565
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2023, 08:21:33 pm
content: Quote from: Mark on January 06, 2023, 05:39:44 pmWeirdly I like the smell, Schaffner mains filters too. The lab at work stinks for days after one lets go.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2023, 08:35:38 pm
content: Yes I can still smell it on me....

author: nigelwright7557
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2023, 06:00:31 am
content: I watch a lot of youtube electronics repair video'sIts amazing how many faults come down to decoupling capacitors.Same old routine, inject voltage and use thermal camera to see what gets hot.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2023, 12:05:39 pm
content: Quote from: nigelwright7557 on January 07, 2023, 06:00:31 amTechnically RIFAs are used ascouplingcapacitors...

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 07, 2023, 01:59:54 pm
content: Speaking of smells, I remember growing up when I somehow (almost) blew up my father's old analog multimeter. I think I did something stupid like measured a battery on the current setting. Anyway, there was a sizzle and this distinct, strong smell of peanuts. The meter stunk for months after that. Not sure if that was the PCB or some other component.The meter still worked though. I never did own up to that and pretended nothing happened. This was back in the early 1990's.Not sure what brand meter it was but it had a massive analog needle on the top half and the case was a light blue colour.

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2023, 01:51:34 pm
content: Jerry Walker just uploaded a short video where he tests one. But just the one.