Where can i buy Elna Caps?

[mcandmar]

Hello all,

I have a Pioneer Amplifier and i noticed one of the two large caps in the PSU area is starting to dome at the top. My limited knowledge of electronics tells me its days are numbered.

Its an ELNA LP 8200uF 71V, looking to buy two of them as the AMP is getting on in years. Manufactured ~1999.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[pdul]

measure the size of the caps. Then try to search for 10000uf 80v on Ebay. I am sure that you will find something you can use at a fair price. It is not so important whether it is Elna or another brand as long as it will fit in the amp

 

[KatieandDad]

The replacement doesn't necessarily have to be ELNA.

8200uF 71V is an unusual value. Can you still measure the Vcc across it to find the voltage that you need ?

Any reasonable 10000uF 80V cap will fit the bill.

I'm sure you will get lots of suggestions but Panasonic from www.rs-online.com seem to be very popular and commonly available around the World.

 

[pdul]

10000uf 80v is the nearest standard size, and that will give you a wide range of choices when you search. Don`t go for the cheapest, it is probably fakes.

 

[KatieandDad]

The key words here are SIZE and QUALITY.

Firstly establish how much space you have, lead spacing and physical package.

Then just look at the Main Street vendors to see what will fit.

Whereabouts are you in the World ?

Different suppliers will suit different markets and different budgets better.

 

[mcandmar]

Great info thanks folks. I'm in Ireland so really dosent matter where i order from, i aint going to find them here.

Couldnt find anything suitable on the RS site, i did however find two ELNA 10000uf 80volts on EBAY of all places. Sellers listed in Hong Kong, sound genuine or fake?

Have the unit back together now and never thought to physically measure them, they look exactly like the ones listed below, and have plenty of space around them should the replacements be a bit larger or taller.

2 PCS ELNA LAO FOR AUDIO CAPACITOR 10000Uf/80V ORIGINAL | eBay
2x ELNA 10000uf 80v Top Grade Capacitor for audio | eBay

 

[KatieandDad]

As long as the voltage is more than the Vcc of the supply + about 10% to allow for voltage fluctuations you should be OK.

Buy Aluminium ALS40 Al electrolytic cap,10000uF 100V BHC Components ALS40AA103KF100 online from RS for next day delivery.

So 10000uF 100V would be more than sufficient as long as you can squeeze them into the space.

 

[KatieandDad]

Buying from E-Bay can be a risk. Some really fraudulent suppliers will build up their repuataion buy selling to pals in their own country.

Just read all their feedback, especially from UK buyers (as you are in GB).

Try Farnell. or Criklewoodelectronics.

 

[KatieandDad]

I bought Dubiliers from a lovely guy in the USA. Cost me a fortune but they were genuine.

 

[pdul]

My guess is that he needs the snap in type, unlike those BHC from RS.

 

[KatieandDad]

Plenty of choices if he's prepared to look for them.

 

[pdul]

It seems like he is mainly focused on the Elna`s

 

[pdul]

The Panasonics look like a good alternative, and not so pricey either.

 

[KatieandDad]

I've always found RS quite reasonable in the Uk and as Mcandmar is in Ireland that counts as UK.

Mouser are also in UK as are many others I'm sure.

 

[mcandmar]

I'm still searching. Having googled the ELNA caps i have come to the conclusion all the EBAY and Webshops are just selling chinese knockoffs. So i have given up on getting a like for like replacement.

I couldnt find anything suitable on the RS site that is two pin (snap in?), ~10000uf and 100v.

Mouser seems to have a few options, Panasonic, Chemi-Con, Dubilier etc but i need to get my head around the different model series, Ripple Currents, ESR, and just what exactly defines an "audio grade" capacitor. I have awoken my inner geek and have a hunger for knowledge

Thanks again for the help..

 

[DreadPirate]

These look like the ticket, if the lead pitch is proper and they are snap in:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/swap-meet/207377-elna-audio-10-000uf-80v.html

I got some from Pocoyo (on his previous cap sale) and they certainly look real.

Your caps may have 4 prongs, two are for mounting and are not mandatory to have, you need to identify the active leads and measure the distance between them ( the "lead pitch"). If they otherwise fit, you are good to go.

 

[GloBug]

Those caps in your link look dodgy, I don't know for sure they are fake, but they sure look like it.
Look at how streaky the gold ink is on those caps.

Don't worry so much about getting "designer" caps, especially for the power supply. Fakers prey on that. Most victims can't even tell.

Stick to the known sellers like DigiKey or Mousers.
One can't help but wonder if DigiKey does not carry it how come some dude in the far east always seems to have the good stuff? Hmmm.

 

[mcandmar]

Thanks for the heads up DreadPirate, sent him a PM. I have seen his name pop up in the few threads and all seem happy. Looking at the pics posted here http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/parts/198271-elna-audio-real-fake-2.html they look right too.

Cheers,

Mark

 

[Coconuts 500]

Big Elna caps are rarely found in shops. I think they are OEM only. They are almost exclusively used in Japanese amplifiers.

Any brand will do, though. I'd avoid Elna due to them being hard to come by, as well as usually being very expensive, if you do.

And the ones on Ebay are almost guaranteed to be fake, I'm afraid.

Pocoyo's caps seem good, but are quite old (2002). Should do fine.

 

[KatieandDad]

If you cant rely upon genuine ELNAs try Panasonics from reputable suppliers.

Snap Ins are convenient if they fit, but its not impossible to put leads onto other cap cases and make them fit.