Hello friends,
I am wondering if it may be a good idea to recap everything on my Atari 1040STFM and Falcon 030.
I am in the USA and occasionally purchase components from Digikey.
I've just put in an order from the Exxos shop, but didn't see any complete recap kits.
Has anyone out there already made a part-list that can be used for the order?
Recapping for Dummies, (and troglodytes)
- PeckPeekPoke
- Posts: 68
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- Location: New England
Recapping for Dummies, (and troglodytes)
FOR GREAT JUSTICE. TAKE OUT EVERY ZIG
800xl+U1mb, STfm, STe, 030
800xl+U1mb, STfm, STe, 030
- stephen_usher
- Posts: 5578
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:19 pm
- Location: Oxford, UK.
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Re: Recapping for Dummies, (and troglodytes)
No-one has really found the need to do a full re-cap of the STs as the components used have been pretty stable and generally don’t leak and destroy the motherboard unlike the surface mount devices on later Amigas and Macs. That’s why you don’t find kits etc.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
Re: Recapping for Dummies, (and troglodytes)
if you need, here is a part list:
note: The Falcon is actually quite a difficult re-cap, the ground plane sucks away lots of your irons heat which makes some cap replacements rather difficult, especially under the PSU. If you are not sure then the easiest & most important cap is the easiest to replace, the 4700uf cap in the centre. Exxos sells a great replacement for this in his store.
Code: Select all
Name Voltage Capacitance Location
-----------------------------------
C1 16V 22uF Under PSU
C2 25V 4.7uF Under PSU
C6 25V 4.7uF Under PSU
C7 50V 1uF Under PSU
C11 25V 4.7uF Under PSU
C29 16V 100uF Under PSU
C67 16V 47uF Under PSU
C110 16V 100uF Mid section
C147 16V 4700uF Mid section
C181 50V 1uF Mid section
C117 6.3V 220uF Near Floppy cable
C24 35V 470uF Video section
C36 16V 100uF Video section
C48 50V 1uF Video section
- 50V 10uF Video section
C50 16V 100uF Video section
C54 16V 47uF Near SCSI port
C78 50V 2.2uF Near SCSI port
C56 16V 47uF Under Floppy Drive
C57 16V 220uF Under Floppy Drive
C83 16V 47uF Under Floppy Drive
C84 16V 47uF Under Floppy Drive
C88 50V 10uF Under Floppy Drive
C91 50V 10uF Under Floppy Drive
C92 50V 3.3uF Under Floppy Drive
C121 16V 220uF Under Floppy Drive
C127 50V 3.3uF Under Floppy Drive
C138 16V 47uF Under Floppy Drive
C141 50V 10uF Under Floppy Drive
- rubber_jonnie
- Site Admin
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Re: Recapping for Dummies, (and troglodytes)
In my own personal experience, generally only the PSU needs a recap in the ST range, unless you specifically encounter a problem where a cap has died.
Capacitors die for many reasons, and those in the PSU do get particularly stressed, and though I have never found one that's leaked or bulged in an ST PSU, I have found output to be incorrect/unstable until I've replaced them.
Outside of the ST world, I generally check all capacitors whenever I get in a new machine.
My A1200, which has the little aluminium dustbin types I caught just in time, but an Amstrad ALT-386 laptop was nearly a total loss due to just one of those caps leaking, and required many hours of work to bring back to life. Not only that, but the capacitors in the PSU were also leaking, but thankfully caused no damage. Leaks can be detected by the presence of a fishy odour and liquid around the bung area of the capacitor.
Similarly with my Mac Classic, they were the little aluminium dustbin types and were just starting to go as well, and are used, and fail, in a lot of Macs. Generally I try to replace those with tantalum capacitors, but the A1200 I just bought a kit and replaced like for like. Like the Amstrad, the PSU in the Mac had leaking electrolytics that required replacement.
The bottom line is that you have to assess each machine individually based on the capacitor types. Some need to have everything done, some just specifics.
I find axial to be very reliable generally as they have only a single lead coming through the bung, but age and stress does play a part.
Capacitors die for many reasons, and those in the PSU do get particularly stressed, and though I have never found one that's leaked or bulged in an ST PSU, I have found output to be incorrect/unstable until I've replaced them.
Outside of the ST world, I generally check all capacitors whenever I get in a new machine.
My A1200, which has the little aluminium dustbin types I caught just in time, but an Amstrad ALT-386 laptop was nearly a total loss due to just one of those caps leaking, and required many hours of work to bring back to life. Not only that, but the capacitors in the PSU were also leaking, but thankfully caused no damage. Leaks can be detected by the presence of a fishy odour and liquid around the bung area of the capacitor.
Similarly with my Mac Classic, they were the little aluminium dustbin types and were just starting to go as well, and are used, and fail, in a lot of Macs. Generally I try to replace those with tantalum capacitors, but the A1200 I just bought a kit and replaced like for like. Like the Amstrad, the PSU in the Mac had leaking electrolytics that required replacement.
The bottom line is that you have to assess each machine individually based on the capacitor types. Some need to have everything done, some just specifics.
I find axial to be very reliable generally as they have only a single lead coming through the bung, but age and stress does play a part.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
- PeckPeekPoke
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2021 7:52 pm
- Location: New England
Re: Recapping for Dummies, (and troglodytes)
Thank you all for the replies
I have ordered the 4700uF Exxos replacement. While I was snooping around in my STs, my capacitor ESR tester detected several leaky electrolytic caps. I will stick to the philosophy of "if ain't broke don't fix it," while I work on Exxos' list of required fixes. The reason I thought of doing all the caps at once was to try to avoid repeated complete dismantling of the machines, yet if such be my fate then so be it for the love of Ataris.
My next question would be : what is the preferred brand for replacement electrolytic caps?
I have ordered the 4700uF Exxos replacement. While I was snooping around in my STs, my capacitor ESR tester detected several leaky electrolytic caps. I will stick to the philosophy of "if ain't broke don't fix it," while I work on Exxos' list of required fixes. The reason I thought of doing all the caps at once was to try to avoid repeated complete dismantling of the machines, yet if such be my fate then so be it for the love of Ataris.
My next question would be : what is the preferred brand for replacement electrolytic caps?
FOR GREAT JUSTICE. TAKE OUT EVERY ZIG
800xl+U1mb, STfm, STe, 030
800xl+U1mb, STfm, STe, 030
Re: Recapping for Dummies, (and troglodytes)
Console5 in the US have cap kit for a lot of motherboards. I haven't heard anything about them so I don't know how accurate they are or how good the caps are.
Re: Recapping for Dummies, (and troglodytes)
When repairing a SC1435 a couple of years ago, I got a couple of specialty bipolar caps from Console5 (seems they're the only ones stocking those), and while it's obviously a very small sample size, no complaints. Delivery was quick even across the ocean (pre-pandemic mind you), and the caps are top quality.
Re: Recapping for Dummies, (and troglodytes)
Generally I use Panasonic as they offer the best ESR specs. But don't assume one brand is better with all values. Wading through the data sheets is the only way to find best caps. Some cheap big brand names can be really bad spec wise. It's why you should study what caps you're actually buying and don't assume as they are new, they are better. Not many sellers really understand cap specs and just go for the cheapest or go with Panasonic because I quote them as being good, but epcos are better for some values. Some caps in PSUs are not good spec wise and can pop after a short while. I used to see that all the time in my old job and sadly some recapped PSUs sold use really bad caps.PeckPeekPoke wrote: ↑Wed Jun 09, 2021 2:49 pm My next question would be : what is the preferred brand for replacement electrolytic caps?
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/ All my hardware guides - mods - games - STOS
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viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
Just because a lot of people agree on something, doesn't make it a fact. ~exxos ~
People should find solutions to problems, not find problems with solutions.
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/ - All my hardware mods for sale - Please help support by making a purchase.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
Just because a lot of people agree on something, doesn't make it a fact. ~exxos ~
People should find solutions to problems, not find problems with solutions.