Hello DIYers,
8 years ago, while replacing an LED in my Pioneer A-605R integrated amp, which I had bought new in the 90s, I noticed the filter caps were slightly bulged (top is slightly curved). See the pictures, thought they don't show much and I couldn't take more revealing ones.
I said I'll address it later as I was about to move. Being a major move etc., I totally forgot about the caps.
Until yesterday when I removed the amp from the wall unit to redecorate. I suddenly remembered THE CAPS and rushed to remove the cover expecting to see a disaster. Nothing!
Does bulging always indicate degradation or failure? Could they be domed by design?
I'm thinking the caps are OK because:
*Both caps are domed similarly
*The bulging did not get worse with time - they look the same like I remember they were 8 years ago
*No leaking or other visible abnormalities
*Amp sounds fine - no hum and no distortion on power-demanding passages
I didn't measure yet for drops in rail voltages, or for ripple, during high draw. I don't have ESR or capacitance meters.
The caps are 15000uF 50V 85C. No brand name printed on them but the look like Nichicon Gold. They show ACH7046-A 622.
What do you think? Replace or forget?
8 years ago, while replacing an LED in my Pioneer A-605R integrated amp, which I had bought new in the 90s, I noticed the filter caps were slightly bulged (top is slightly curved). See the pictures, thought they don't show much and I couldn't take more revealing ones.
I said I'll address it later as I was about to move. Being a major move etc., I totally forgot about the caps.
Until yesterday when I removed the amp from the wall unit to redecorate. I suddenly remembered THE CAPS and rushed to remove the cover expecting to see a disaster. Nothing!
Does bulging always indicate degradation or failure? Could they be domed by design?
I'm thinking the caps are OK because:
*Both caps are domed similarly
*The bulging did not get worse with time - they look the same like I remember they were 8 years ago
*No leaking or other visible abnormalities
*Amp sounds fine - no hum and no distortion on power-demanding passages
I didn't measure yet for drops in rail voltages, or for ripple, during high draw. I don't have ESR or capacitance meters.
The caps are 15000uF 50V 85C. No brand name printed on them but the look like Nichicon Gold. They show ACH7046-A 622.
What do you think? Replace or forget?