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  • Author Author: baldengineer
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Selecting electrolytic capacitor replacements (for a TRS-80 Model 100) [Full Video]

baldengineer
Selecting electrolytic capacitor replacements (for a TRS-80 Model 100) [Full Video]

In the "How to Pick Replacement Electrolytic Capacitors" video, I went through the process I use for selecting replacement aluminum electrolytic capacitors. My focus was why electrolytic wear out (or fail) AND what to consider when choosing a new one. The number of choices can be overwhelming if you aren't familiar with capacitors. As an example device, I picked a TRS-80 Model 100 portable computer. It contains 17 (I think) electrolytic capacitors. Unfortunately, all the smaller can sizes (4-5mm) have leaked--which is a common occurrence.

Initially, I wanted to show myself selecting EACH replacement on a distributor's website. But, after recording that session, I realized it would be almost 30 minutes. So I managed to cut it down to about 20 minutes, but still too long with the other sections of the Workbench Wednesdays video.

So, here is my (mostly) unedited version of selecting all 17 replacements. (Well, 13 replacements since a couple of the capacitors are duplicated.) Also available are links to the original live streams where I removed the capacitors and installed the replacements.

If you still have questions about Aluminum Electrolytics, let me know!

My TRS-80 Model 100 Replacement Caps

In general, I like picking my own replacements. One reason is that I like choosing higher voltage and temperature ratings when possible. (Kits I find online usually are the originally rated voltage or 85C temp rating.) In this case, I had to create my own capacitor list because none of the online lists I found included the dimensions of the original capacitors. And for a portable device like the Tandy Model 100, I wanted to make sure the caps were not too tall (or long)!

Full replacement selection video

(Direct video link.)

Bald Engineer Live Streams

These streams are where I removed the caps and then installed the replacements.