Sencore CA55 Cap Checker

imix500 · 14th May 2010, 07:22 PM

Hello all,
I just picked up an old Sencore CA55 Capacitor Analyzer. On power up I get digits for about 1/2 second and then flashing "888". I'm assuming this is some sort of error code but I don't have a manual and there's very little from google. Anyone have any idea? Thanks!

imix500 · 14th May 2010, 11:06 PM

It looks like "888" normally means out of range, but it shows it with nothing connected. Input fuse is good, hmm...

Enzo · 15th May 2010, 01:51 AM

So what happens if you connect a cap to the test terminals?

And contact Sencore for owners and service manuals.

imix500 · 15th May 2010, 02:41 AM

Well, nothing really. When I press "measure cap", the display goes blank, one of the range leds lights, and I measure about 150mV across the cap under test. As soon as I release the button the display goes back to flashing "888".
I know these need a sec or two to measure, but it shouldn't need that long right?

Enzo · 15th May 2010, 03:19 PM

Sounds defective, still going with call Sencore.

Steve Dunlap · 15th May 2010, 03:33 PM

That is a common problem with those. Open it up and clean all the contacts and switches and it should be fine.

imix500 · 15th May 2010, 04:21 PM

Thanks Steve, sounds like a good Sunday project!

imix500 · 16th May 2010, 06:36 PM

So, I cleaned the rotary switch and the selector switch as well as I could. I think it made some difference as it seems to ask a little different. Also found a burned up 5k 5W cement resistor on the selector switch.
Now that I have it opened up I'm noticing the power transformer is buzzing rather loudly. I am also getting about 1/2 the voltage I expect at the terminal when the "leakage test" button is pressed. This is leading me to look at the power supply sections. I don't see a psu for the high voltage dc that jumps out at me, but obviously it's in there. I'll be calling Sencore Monday about a manual.

imix500 · 6th June 2010, 11:03 PM

Just an update, I bought a set of schematics and a manual from Sencore. After digging around in the unit I found that someone had cut a trace in the power supply section. Not sure why. The unit now measures and seems to be in the ballpark. It still jumps to flashing "888" sometimes but a power cycle clears it. I still have to check most of the carbon resistors and replace a few more lytic and tantalum caps.

14th May 2010, 07:22 PM	#1
imix500 Proud Union Member diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Nashville, TN	Sencore CA55 Cap Checker Hello all, I just picked up an old Sencore CA55 Capacitor Analyzer. On power up I get digits for about 1/2 second and then flashing "888". I'm assuming this is some sort of error code but I don't have a manual and there's very little from google. Anyone have any idea? Thanks!

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14th May 2010, 11:06 PM	#2
imix500 Proud Union Member diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Nashville, TN	It looks like "888" normally means out of range, but it shows it with nothing connected. Input fuse is good, hmm...

15th May 2010, 01:51 AM	#3
Enzo diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lansing, Michigan	So what happens if you connect a cap to the test terminals? And contact Sencore for owners and service manuals.

15th May 2010, 02:41 AM	#4
imix500 Proud Union Member diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Nashville, TN	Well, nothing really. When I press "measure cap", the display goes blank, one of the range leds lights, and I measure about 150mV across the cap under test. As soon as I release the button the display goes back to flashing "888". I know these need a sec or two to measure, but it shouldn't need that long right?

15th May 2010, 03:19 PM	#5
Enzo diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lansing, Michigan	Sounds defective, still going with call Sencore.

15th May 2010, 03:33 PM	#6
Steve Dunlap diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Here	That is a common problem with those. Open it up and clean all the contacts and switches and it should be fine.

15th May 2010, 04:21 PM	#7
imix500 Proud Union Member diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Nashville, TN	Thanks Steve, sounds like a good Sunday project!

16th May 2010, 06:36 PM	#8
imix500 Proud Union Member diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Nashville, TN	So, I cleaned the rotary switch and the selector switch as well as I could. I think it made some difference as it seems to ask a little different. Also found a burned up 5k 5W cement resistor on the selector switch. Now that I have it opened up I'm noticing the power transformer is buzzing rather loudly. I am also getting about 1/2 the voltage I expect at the terminal when the "leakage test" button is pressed. This is leading me to look at the power supply sections. I don't see a psu for the high voltage dc that jumps out at me, but obviously it's in there. I'll be calling Sencore Monday about a manual.

6th June 2010, 11:03 PM	#9
imix500 Proud Union Member diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Nashville, TN	Just an update, I bought a set of schematics and a manual from Sencore. After digging around in the unit I found that someone had cut a trace in the power supply section. Not sure why. The unit now measures and seems to be in the ballpark. It still jumps to flashing "888" sometimes but a power cycle clears it. I still have to check most of the carbon resistors and replace a few more lytic and tantalum caps.

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