So I have run into an recurring issue- I need a part that is no longer made. What can I do about it?
I have a pair of PA speakers. They are fairly old but up until now have worked flawlessly. The other day one of the caps popped. (C1)
It is a Aluminum Electrolytic NP 15uf 50v with 10mm spacing (big filter cap)
My issue is they don't seem to make these any more. My options seem to be limited to either changing the value and replacing them in both speakers, or trying to patch a few together to meet the requirements.
I'm not a wizard with electronics, I know enough to be able to fix it when I have some clear precise instructions.
One person I know suggested that I use two 30uf 50v in series where I solder the - leads together :source to +cap to -cap to - cap to speaker.
Does anyone agree with this solution? here is why I ask- Will this change the sound of my PA speaker enough to make it a noticeable difference?
Will I need to do this with both speakers?
Are there any better solutions out there that wont involve buying new speakers or spending lots of $$
here is a photo of the exact same board. I'm trying to resolve C1. the other two caps are 2.2 uf 50v and the the resistor is 10w 10RK
Thanks!
I have a pair of PA speakers. They are fairly old but up until now have worked flawlessly. The other day one of the caps popped. (C1)
It is a Aluminum Electrolytic NP 15uf 50v with 10mm spacing (big filter cap)
My issue is they don't seem to make these any more. My options seem to be limited to either changing the value and replacing them in both speakers, or trying to patch a few together to meet the requirements.
I'm not a wizard with electronics, I know enough to be able to fix it when I have some clear precise instructions.
One person I know suggested that I use two 30uf 50v in series where I solder the - leads together :source to +cap to -cap to - cap to speaker.
Does anyone agree with this solution? here is why I ask- Will this change the sound of my PA speaker enough to make it a noticeable difference?
Will I need to do this with both speakers?
Are there any better solutions out there that wont involve buying new speakers or spending lots of $$
here is a photo of the exact same board. I'm trying to resolve C1. the other two caps are 2.2 uf 50v and the the resistor is 10w 10RK
Thanks!
It looks as if its c3 that's popped, look at the top.
Find some others with same spec, and change in both speakers,
And you might wanna move that big power resistor a bit, the caps don't like heat.
Find some others with same spec, and change in both speakers,
And you might wanna move that big power resistor a bit, the caps don't like heat.
As your friend suggested, the answer is 2 x 30uF in series. There might be a change in ESR so I would do both crossovers.
Speaker caps need to be non-polar except for putting 2 electrolytics minus to minus. I tried the 2 electrolytics back to back thing and didn't like the sound at low volume (1/8 watt).
Electrolytics are low quality for speakers anyway. Use a polyprophylene cap. Here is a 15 uf 400 v polyprophylene speaker cap from parts-express.com
Audyn Cap Q4 15uF 400V MKP Metalized Polypropylene Foil Crossover Capacitor
replace all the other ones too, when one blows the rubber seals in all the others are toast, too. The freight from PE is $7 anyway.
Electrolytics are low quality for speakers anyway. Use a polyprophylene cap. Here is a 15 uf 400 v polyprophylene speaker cap from parts-express.com
Audyn Cap Q4 15uF 400V MKP Metalized Polypropylene Foil Crossover Capacitor
replace all the other ones too, when one blows the rubber seals in all the others are toast, too. The freight from PE is $7 anyway.
Mouser sells 15uf NP 50v Nichicon for 87 cents, but are out of stock. Expecting stock in JUly. You may not want to wait, but the part is certainly still made.
UDB1H150MHM Nichicon | Mouser
UDB1H150MHM Nichicon | Mouser
Anybody who puts 50 volt NPE’s in a PA speaker crossover deserves having to pick the confetti out of their speaker cabinet. Do yourself a favor and replace it with a 100 volt unit or an MKP if you want to spend ore than $2. I’m surprised you haven’t popped them sooner, unless you never play them very loud. I’ve blown 50 volt NPEs with a 70 watt per channel receiver. It was clipping, but PA speakers are often subjected to more than a receiver can muster.
I'd suggest motor run capacitors in this place that often can be sourced from surplus for little money. You need to be willing to clamp them next to the board, though.
Best regards!
Best regards!
Motor run caps in those values are usually MKP, in 250 to 500V AC rating, which meet or exceed the specifications of stupid-expensive audiophile caps. And they do show up surplus all the time.
Let’s see someone blow one of these out without turning the tweeter (and woofer) to charcoal.
Let’s see someone blow one of these out without turning the tweeter (and woofer) to charcoal.
Attachments
